I just want some clarification. Why is it that the most common suggestion for a 305 owner for performance is to swap for a 350? Why isn't it the same for the 350 owner to swap for a 383, or for a 400? Hell why don't we all just swap for 455s.

 

What was your barley-pop count when you when you decided to post this?

 

Maybe a bit to much.

 

There is a difference between a big block and a small block. A 305 sucks. A 350 is cheap for what you get. A 383 is a simple way to get more power (torque) from a 350 block. A 400 has a bigger bore to run bigger valves and is light.

A big block is big; bore, stroke, block, gas mileage sucks, and you'll go broke building one.

 

If the 400 sbc was a one piece rear main seal and a roller block and were easier to find, everyone probably would say to go with a 400.

 

I guess this post is just aimed at the frustration I'm having with the fact that Ford used a 305 in its Mustangs there were faster than the sbc 305s and almost as fast as the 350s, in stock for stock terms. What is it about the Ford 305 that makes is faster than the equivalent sbc 305?

 

Did you mean 302? For the Ford?

 

The Chevy 305 has a pitiful 3.74" bore which doesn't provide enough room for decently large valves to provide good flow. The Ford 302's 4" bore doesn't have this problem. The Chevy 350 uses the same 4" bore.

Another factor for the popularity of the 350 is that they're more common than dirt, and cost about the same. 400 blocks are much less common. A 383 is a relatively inexpensive way to put the 400's longer stroke into the more common 350 block.

 

I've always wondered myself - why a Ford 302 is such a performance monster in comparison to a Chevy 305.

My guess would be the heads for one - maybe Ford didn't make such terrible heads. My second guess would be that a Mustang is much lighter in comparison - I was amazed how much a Camaro weighed! Maybe something to do with "spinning up" faster - like everyone used to say about the Chevy 327?

I dunno - I'm guessing - anyone with a REAL answer please chime in, as I too am curious!

 

Ahhhh - it's an "inches" thing huh?

"If I only had another 1/4 inch!"

 

The ford 302 has a bigger bore. Plain and simple. It makes a real difference.

 

Sorry ya the 302, my bad.

 

I'm not incredibly car savy so please dont bash me for this but isn't it possible to just overbore the 305 then to 4"?

 

You'd be so far into the water jackets there'd be no material left to support a sleeve.

 

I see what you mean, the block wouldn't be stable would it?

Aside from the 305, 350, 383, 400, 455 BS I posted the whole predicament I have is getting a 305 vs a 350 for a 87-89 f-body car. The car when I get it (whenever that will be) will be stock so i'de either be getting a 305 with a 5 speed manual or a 350 with a 4 speed auto. I'de really prefer getting a manual but they only mated it to 305s, which it seems like on this forum is not the greatest engine ever made. When I get the car i'de be aiming for low 14s i'm really not out to build a true strip car, I just want some decent power on the streets...for now. In terms of cost and labor what do you guys think would be the better route? Getting a 305 with the 5 speed and just sticking with that while doing a small build up on it for awhile until I decide to drop a 350 in it OR should I aim for a 350 and do a trans swap? I think doing a trans swap would be more difficult but i've never done something like that before so opinions are welcome.

 

Swapping a 305 for a 350 is a whole lot easier than swapping a 700R4 for a manual. The 350 and 305 are externally identical.

 

If I had known then what I know now, I would have held out for a 5 speed, but someday I will be performing a 5 speed swap in my auto. I have already done the 305 to 350 swap.

 

You have an '82 TA now right? then what are you talking about with the other car? go to your favorite machine shop of choice, and talk about getting a 350 built there for you. I'm just waiting for mine to finish
Then find yourself a trans of choice, and swap them both in at the same time...
Or just stick with your current trans, despite it being an auto, it's strong enough for the time being.

 

If you have an '82 now, why not use it? My current weekly local car and parts rag has an LT1 and T56 (6 speed baby!) in it for $1000 - BOTH FOR A GRAND! Wiring harness/ECM included! That would give you everything short of a few hundred in odds and ends to mount it in place (ie crossmember for the T56).

Come to think of it, I should buy the LT1/T56 and resell it for a buck! Hey - you got $1500 cash + shipping? LOL

Swap stuff is easy enough to come across, just takes patience, and the cash ready when it goes up for sale!

 

I would have to have the shop install the the engine and trans for one thing, I have neither the time nor the technical knowledge to do it myself. My car would need some major suspension upgrades in addition to that to keep any sort of power like that down on the ground.
I would rather just have a car with the transmission I want and just swap the engine out at a later time, like an LB9 to a L98 because I know everything externally on the two engines is identical.

 

if you plan on buying a 305 car....then swaping to a 350 block....will the computer/ecm function like before or do you need the prom out of a 350 car......

 

As long as you swap out the prom its ok. Technically it WOULD work, but you would have to add some FP, with the 305 prom. Swapping the prom is the way to go, IMO.

 

You could use the 305 prom with the 350 injectors. It won't be ideal, but it will run.

 

Ricktpi, where exactly is Lower Salford Pa?

 

ok......but,....if you just had the 350 block(short block)....and used the 305 intake/injectors.....and 305 ecm/computer.......would that be just as bad as running the 305????are the 350/305 intakes the same

 

Right below Upper Salford

Seriously, It's 25 miles north of Philly.

 

LOL, Im about 80 miles north of you. Scranton/Wilkes barre area. Thanks, sorry for getting off topic, guys.

 

prom?
that's just for the tpi and all that fuel injection stuff right?
if you were to have the engine carb'd would you have to mess with the computer stuff?

 

Yes, you are correct. No prom for a carb.