stuff i have

engine: SBC 305 casting #14010203 bored .030 over
heads: casting #14014416

both have 0 kms since rebuilt

new cam: edelbrock performer plus #2102

'86 305 TPI system (no harness)

ok, first of all i'm building this because the price on the above items was really, really good.

second, i want more power from this engine.

how am i going to get it?

i live in edmonton alberta where there is no smog issues/legislation whatsoever (we don't even require catalytic converters up here)

i'm thinking these things will help:
-roller rocker arms
-headers

what else is suggested?
which smog items can i remove from from my TPI to allow it to run at optimum efficiency/performance?

 

i forgot to add that i'll be installing a painless harness for a 90-92 MAP system (p/n 60103) with a 7730 ECM
i want this power and torque to be from idle to 5500 rpms

 

is this thread in the wrong forum?

if it is, i would appreciate a nudge in the proper direction, as in where would i go to find answers to these questions? (yes i do use the search function as well)

 

Got a Budget?

 

sortof, i don't want to spend rediculous amounts

i'm leaving the heads/intake manifold/Throttle body alone for now

i'd just like to get it running and i figure putting the right parts on during the buildup is easier than getting it running then tearing it down to build back up again with the parts i should have put in the first time

 

Port your 416 heads. That is a lot of your power right there. Have the valves enlarged for 1.94 intake side. If you can with a 305 atleast? If not, porting is still definetly a plus...

Just make sure you have a full, 3 inch mandrel bent exhaust from headers (1 5/8" primarys, good quality headers... cheapo ones do not help much... go for SLP or Hooker) to tail pipes (3" high flowing cat, like the one that Catco makes.... if you are going to use a cat that is? I do and am glad I do because of the sounds it gets rid of, plus they arent restrictive now days with the new technology). Then get a cat-back system from just about anyone.

The TPI, in nature is not meant for performance. If you heavily modify it, it can be more performance oriented, but it is still not the nature of the beast. Also, TPIs tend to lose all power around 4500RPMs. You may want to think about something like a MiniRam, or StealthRam intake.


Then I'd check out MSD and see if you can get as much ignition items as you can afford. They pay themselves off in the long run.

 

Check the tech articales they list alot of basic mods to get a little more power out ur engine.

 

definately chop the cat, and straight pipe it, if you haven't already, more power, better sound, plus it smells like a boat then


The TPI board might have more tips in relation to TPI tuning, but in general, this is the right board. put your location in your location bar in your info, it'll help at times.

steel roller tip rockers are your best bet, (rather then super expensive, all aluminum full body roller rockers.)
expect to spend $100-150 on these, you can special order them (proform) from canadian tire.

headers are a very good idea, y-pipe to match. maybe a decent muffler too

You should definately port those heads, possibly the intake as well? (that's more of a TPI thing, i'm not too sure, but the stealthram/miniram stuff is stupidly expensive.)

Good luck.

 

well, i've decided to port the heads, and i'm going to do some research on porting my intake plenum as well.

as a rough guess anyone know how much torque/horses i can get out of this engine?

 

There's plenty of threads and other bits of information out there that pertain to the 416 castings. Standard Abrasives has some really good stuff, both information and tools. Have a look at them. What I did for my "kicker" motor that I needed running, but wanted some decent power, is I went to the junkyard and yanked some core 416's and one 882 casting to work on in my spare time. The 882 was my practice head (practice is good). The 416's then I took to the machine shop and had all the necissary work done to make them usable, then I sat down and had at them.

As far as the intake, the biggest chokepoint of the system is the baseplate. On a 305, the intake isn't as big of a choke off as it would be on a 350. You can work the plenum over all you want, but just remember, it all has to filter through the baseplate...You can always switch intakes later. If you plan on such, I wouldn't put too much effort into it.

Exhaust work should be very near first and foremost as far as importance. Cat or no cat, that doesn't really matter and really is up to personal preference. Pointless to make a giant and then have to breathe out a coffee stir straw.

Comp Cams makes a good steel roller tip rocker arm (Magnum's) for about $150 for non-self aligning.

As far as the cam, everyone has their own respective opinion on Edelbrock camshafts. Personally, to me, they are old school technology. If it were mine, I would get a K-kit from Comp cams in whatever camshaft you need. They have some good flat tappet cams that are real friendly towards EFI. Since you already have it, it's up to you really. But there is better. If you do stick with the Edel, make sure to match the rest of the valve train.

Save your ignition money. On stock, or lower performance engines, a MSD box and whatnot really has no real benifits. If you don't have one, just get the right distributor and go. No need for a box or any of that.

Power output: 250 ponies maybe, more or less. Remember, it's a 305.

 

the help offered so far is indeed appreciated.
since this is the right thread for my engine tech questions i'm sure i'll be returning again and again for advice and suggestions so if nobody minds i think i'll turn this into a sort of buildup thread where i post pictures of progress made and stuff.

question: i have a set of spare heads (dunno the casting number but i'll be at the shop on wed to find out), is it a good idea to start practicing on these to hone my porting skill before i chew into my 416's?

 

Absolutly. Practice control, practice movements, where to port, pressure, tear that head up!

 

i'm practicing on 993 heads right now. I made a jig to pull the rocker studs and tap them accurately, and i'll be using non-collared studs for that. You'll probably want to do either that or pin the studs.

do you have a die grinder? princess auto has an electric one (unless you have a monster of an air compressor), for $70.

Sitting bull claims 300HP on his 305, with a rather mellow cam, so who knows? (then again, TPI right?)