Hello, I have an 85 trans am with a 305 that is carbed. I was thinking about doing some performance mods, e.g. new heads, intake, headers. Do you guys have any recommendations. I know Hooker is good with the headers but I don't know much about what type of intake manifold and I know basically nothing about selecting heads. I'm not looking to spend ton of money. I would like to stay around a thousand for the heads but I don't know how realistic that is.
Thanks for your help
M.

 

1000 dollars will buy a nice set of heads. Especially if you look for used ones. Now, make sure that you get something that will work well with a 350, for when the 305 goes kaput. Same with headers and exhaust. Make sure to get a full 3" exhaust and headers with 1 5/8 primaries at least. I would shoot for aluminum heads in the 58cc range, if it were me. You can then keep a decent compression ratio with the 305 and be workable with a 350 down the road. You will actually lose a little, due to the aluminum with the same combustion chamber size, but it will be made up in head flow.

 

To add to what lj said, first make sure you're not going to be breaking any inspection rules or emissions tests (if you have those where you live). This is of course assuming the engine is in stock form. If it is, either of those can limit parts selection to a degree - depending on what you are after out of the car. The second thing is that - what are you after performance-wise with the car?

As Lj said, full exhaust will compliment any engine displacement well. Heads could go in the same category for the most part, as well as the intake. If you do heads, might as well consider a cam upgrade to make use of better air flow.