Engine swap or rebuild?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 86
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From: Norwood, MA
Engine swap or rebuild?
I'm trying to fix up my daily driver, but it needs a lot of engine work. Is it worth my while to have the 305 rebuilt? Or should I just shell out the extra cash for a new/rebuilt 350? I'm not looking for huge power gains (though the 350 w/ the new tranny I'm putting in would be very nice), as the car would remain my daily driver, so the 350 would be stock, not blown.
Also, I'm calling around for rebuild quotes, but can't seem to find any place other than the GM dealer and Autozone for new/rebuilt engines w/ a warranty. Anyone in the MA-area know of anywhere else I can look? Many thanks.
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Maverick
1989 Formula 305 TPI 5-speed
Suspension mods, stock engine
Also, I'm calling around for rebuild quotes, but can't seem to find any place other than the GM dealer and Autozone for new/rebuilt engines w/ a warranty. Anyone in the MA-area know of anywhere else I can look? Many thanks.
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Maverick
1989 Formula 305 TPI 5-speed
Suspension mods, stock engine
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 42
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
A lengthy discussion on the 305 vs 350 "worthiness" has occurred on the Motor Swap forum. If you're brave, you might take a look over there.
You really need to do some research on the relative costs of each. Find out how much it would cost to re-do your 305, then compare that to the cost of a 350. Very likely the 350 will be more, but you might be surprised. Then, factor in the extra power that a 350 will probably give you, which will be hard to put a dollar value on.
Figure there will be some "issues" with putting the 350 in, primarily if an earlier engine is used. Do you plan on doing the work yourself, or having it done?
If you're going with a different engine in either case, then the 350 would make more sense. Your 305 might not qualify as a 350 core, but who knows.
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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, WP 305 heads ported & polished, Hooker headers & y-pipe, hi-flow cat).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & shift kit, 3.08 10-bolt, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.
You really need to do some research on the relative costs of each. Find out how much it would cost to re-do your 305, then compare that to the cost of a 350. Very likely the 350 will be more, but you might be surprised. Then, factor in the extra power that a 350 will probably give you, which will be hard to put a dollar value on.
Figure there will be some "issues" with putting the 350 in, primarily if an earlier engine is used. Do you plan on doing the work yourself, or having it done?
If you're going with a different engine in either case, then the 350 would make more sense. Your 305 might not qualify as a 350 core, but who knows.
------------------
82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, WP 305 heads ported & polished, Hooker headers & y-pipe, hi-flow cat).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & shift kit, 3.08 10-bolt, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.
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