Ok guys the 91 GTA that I was going to buy fell through, so now I am looking again. The problem that I am having is that I want a nice body and a mechanicaly sound car. It seems that camaros or firebirds with 305's are cheaper and sometimes in better shape, so I might be forced to buy a car with a 305 (which I don't really want). I eventually want to put a 350 in the car. So would you guys modify the 305 with header, exhaust, intake, runners and so on, then later on swap in a 350. Or would you keep all the stock "stuff" (intake, exhaust, fuel injectors etc. ) and swap in a 350 right away and later modify the 350? I am looking for advice because I am sure most of you have been in my position before. Obvisouly money is what is holding me back.
Thanks for the help
Tom

 

well the biggest factors are money, time, patience, and experience. basically how much of each of these do you have. i have seen plenty of poerful fast 305's but almost everyone who owns one wants a 350(myself included )

id go for the 350 right off if i could afford it

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1983 CHEVROLET CAMARO with a 1986 305 C.I.D.V8 BORED .030 OVER, HIGH VOLUME OIL PUMP,FLAT-TOP PISTONS
MILD CAM, EQUAL-LENGTH HEADERS, 3" CAT BACK EXHAUST W/ FLOWMASTER MUFFFLER, KEYSTONE CLASSIC WHEELS, TH350 TRANNY , B&M MEGA SHIFTER
STAGE THREE SHIFT KIT(she'll spin em into third)

"Wise man once say, friends dont let friends drive Fords!!"

 

Tom,

It's usually those major dollar items that are hard to swing. So if you find a 305 equipped car you'd be willing to buy, go ahead and spend the money on mods. Just make sure that the mods you get will work with a 350 also. At least this way, you'll feel like you're getting somewhere.

Like you said, almost everyone. I'm so proud that my 305 is as fast as it is. Most guys at the track do not believe it's a 305.

In fact, when I get my cowl induction hood on the car this week, I'm going to have a custom-made "305" on the sides of the raised cowl area.


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Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
Former Paxton (6-psig): 12.57 @ 111 mph.
Former Paxton (6-psig) & former 50-hp nitrous: 12.04 @ 114 mph.
Current ATI D1SC (Initially 10-psig): Projecting high 11's.
Future ATI D1SC (15-psig): Gotta catch them pesky 26-psig boosted TTA's!!

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

 

Why not get a really nice late model SD TPI 305 Camaro/Firebird with a 5 speed and T-roofs where the engine is sound, but old and tired.

Then just drive it until you have enough cash and then get a 383 built to the hilt and swap that in. Might have to beef up the tranny and rear end (sooner or later).

The problem with the L98 is that is "almost" a collectible and after the TTAs, convertibles and 1LEs, most likely to be worth something in the future.

This is the dilema I find myself in with my L98 GTA. There are so few of them, that building the engine the way I WANT IT, will most certainly destroy its value. Besides its a great running car to boot.

So I am stronly thinking of doing exactly like I am suggesting to you; finding a 305 5-speed car with T-tops where the body is great but the engine is tired. And using THAT as my "toy". I would then just dump the 305 and probably drop in GM's new HT383 truck motor and swap the heads for the Fastburns, put in an LT-4 Hot Cam, use the Miniram III designed for the Vortec Intake and if the engine was originally a TBI, convert it to Speed Density. And last, but not least, when I due the 5-speed in, swap in a 6 speed. And probably go Ford 9" on the rear.

Given the cheap cost of "plain janer" Camaro/Firebirds with tired motors, this would work out cheaper than modding a good GTA/IROC. Plus you get the "sleeper" effect. I might even slap a "2.8 MPFI" sticker on the back just to "bait" Mustangs.

Oh yeah, I would lie and claim its a little old 305 too.

 

You WOULD do that, wouldn't you?

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Later,
Vader
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"What a Day..."
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