My son-in-law is the orignial owner of a 1987 IROC convertible 305 with a 4 barrel carb. with an automatic transmission He doesn't want to chop it up, but what can be done to boost the horsepower. I don't want to do anything that can't be put back to orignial. Can the cam be remove without removing the engine from the car? If so what cam and valve train would be recommended? He just drives it to shows, and once in awhile back and forth to work.

 

Sounds like a nice car. To keep the stealth and OE look, would you consider a 350 - 383 engine swap instead of trying to eek out a few ponies from the 305? Should you decide to go back original, you'll have the 305 waiting..

 

There is quite a bit that can be done to the 305 to ramp it up a bit. You can do cam, heads, headers and exhaust, custom chip (i.e. hypertech or another reputable company)... HOWEVER... it really comes down to what level of performance. Most people don't bother because the 305 has limits even if you do the above listed items. That is why most people just put the 350 in. The 350 V8 has way more potential.

There has been alot in magazines such as "Super Chevy" "Chevy High Performance" "GM Hightech Performance" abou tramping up a 305 so check those mags out and you will find plenty tech articles to give you advice.

I was always told the key to opening up the 305 is the breathing capabilities. Fastest thing to do is headers and exhaust (preferebly without the polution stuff). After that would be the heads. If you wanna go farther you can upgrade the carb, for which I recommend an Edlebrock Carb prob 650 cfm.

I am in no way an expert. I own a 305 TPI Camaro and am going to later install a 350 TPI. However my buddy owns a 305 carb Camaro. So I am passing on what I am learning as I upgrade his for him.

Hope this helps!

 

Yes you can change the cam with the engine in the car. But do you/he want to keep the computer in the car? because if you do you have limits on cam's. Headers are a good addition that helps get rid of weight and can improve fuel milage a little. You can get rid of the belt driven fan and put an electric fan on it and free up some horse power. You can also get under drive pullies for it. Asking people here about bumping up a 305 is a waste of time, they will all say get a 350, that is a fall back posistion for almost everybody here.

 

The ECM does so little in a computer-controlled carb setup that there isn't much that isn't compatible.

Headers, exhaust and cam to start.