I am wanting to rebuild my engine (5.0 305). I know its a gay 305 granny engine but its what I have and its what I can afford so please just positive advise. Well my question is I want a rebuild kit that would be more on the performance end. Would that just mean getting a plain engine rebuild kit and buying seperate pistons because I am not sure what all is out there. Also I want a set of cams but I am not sure what size to get. I want a performance set except this is also my daily driver/ weekend warrior. Thanks for any info I really need it

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

You already know the 305 is a weak link, but your are right in that they can be improved. However, a rebuild, even pistons, aren't the way to improve the 305 unless yours really is worn out. Most 305's aren't "worn out" with respect to performance, so let's assume what you really want is a performance improvement and not that you have an engine that needs to be rebuilt and you want to improve performance while you're at it.

The first thing needed is exhaust improvement. Until you get rid of every piece of exhaust from the heads to the rear bumper, nothing else you do is going to matter much. Headers, 3" high-flow cat, and cat-back is what's needed. I'd recommend '86-'90 TPI single-cat application parts, specifically Hooker 2055HKR headers, and for example a Catco 9118 direct-fit cat. Cat-back is up to you, as long as it is for the stated application.

Next is the cam. A Comp XR262, or something in that range, is a good part to consider. It needs to be computer-compatible, so include that requirement in any search/inquiry.

Next is the heads. Your swirl-port heads can't be improved much. TPI-type 081 castings should be considered.

Next in line is TBI improvements. The TBI forum can provide better information about that, so no need to try to duplicate that here.

All of this will probably require PROM changes, so plan on getting PROM burning equipment and software and learning how to use it.

Now, if all of this made the wrong assumption that your 305 isn't worn out, then here's the most valuable advice of all - forget what you "have"; rebuilding a 305 with pistons, rings, bearings, machining, etc., is the worst possible use of performance funds. The cost of obtaining and rebuilding a 350 is nothing compared to the difference in results. In fact, you can buy a rebuilt 350 for very little more than it takes to rebuild a 305, so why settle for bottom-of-the-food-chain when the dollars aren't that much different?

 

Five7 has a good point with rebuilding a motor. You should only do a full overhaul like that if 1.) The motor NEEDS it (sat for a while, broken parts, etc) or 2.) You plan on doing extensive power adding modifications that warrant the use of high strength parts.


But, from reading this alone, it tells me that you are nowhere near ready to take up a project like this on your own. The chevy smallblock is a pushrod motor meaning it has ONE cam that controls all of the overhead valves. You need to learn more about your motor before you go digging into it.

 

well thanks for the advise...i do have all the tools that i would need and one of my fathers best freinds owns a garage so I might just ask him for a rebuilt 350 or is it too muck work in putting a 454 in it? I was thinking about rebuilding the engine just for the reason of it overheating when it was having some cooling issues. Is a regular 454 going to be faster than a 350 with cams?? Or what is the best way to go. It is my new daily driver so I am somewhat worried about the gas guzzling 454..I apreciatle all the advise because Im new to car building