timing on 350 with 305 heads
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 453
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From: Saint Louis, MO
Car: 86 Firebird LG4
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip
timing on 350 with 305 heads
My carb and distributor are computer controlled.
Should I just time the engine with what the sticker says on my hood and let the computer take care of the rest or should I bump it down a couple degrees since the compression's a little higher than stock?
Should I just time the engine with what the sticker says on my hood and let the computer take care of the rest or should I bump it down a couple degrees since the compression's a little higher than stock?
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: timing on 350 with 305 heads
Compression is gonna be higher so I'd maybe look at bumping it down alittle for now and see how it likes it. IF you had datalogging equipment you can monitor for knock counts or spark retard. You can also add premium 93 gas to be safer.
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 227
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From: King George,VA
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: '69 350 4 Bolt Main .30 Over
Transmission: 700r4/B&M Shift Kit and Flywheel
Axle/Gears: GM 10 Bolt 3.23 Gears
Re: timing on 350 with 305 heads
Is there any advantage in running 305 heads on a 350?
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 14
From: Safford, AZ
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: 305 (LO3)
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73?
Re: timing on 350 with 305 heads
not really. You get a bump in compression (up to ~10:1, but then you get smaller valves for less top end. A better bet would be aluminum L98 heads or vortecs.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 972
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canada
Car: 1989 T-Top GTA
Engine: 5.7L TPI> 6.2L
Transmission: 700R-4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: timing on 350 with 305 heads
You can find World S/R Torquer 305 heads with the 1.94/1.50" valves and 170cc Intake runners and good exhaust ports...
with a max lift of .560"! You won't get that out of a stock head...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WRL-042650-1/
I had a pair that I was gonna throw on my 350 (once upon a time)
But I decided to spend the extra $$$ and went with the AFR's instead...
I don't think that you can go wrong... especially if you have them already!
or do you have stock 305 heads...?
with a max lift of .560"! You won't get that out of a stock head...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WRL-042650-1/
I had a pair that I was gonna throw on my 350 (once upon a time)
But I decided to spend the extra $$$ and went with the AFR's instead...
I don't think that you can go wrong... especially if you have them already!
or do you have stock 305 heads...?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 70
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From: Titusville, Fl
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: 350
Transmission: JW Performance 700R4
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 9-bolt, 3.08 gears
Re: timing on 350 with 305 heads
If you are running the stock comuputer controlled distributor, there is no adjustment in timing that you can make. The stock setting is not going to hurt the engine. The compression ratio depends on size of the combustion chambers, type of pistons, decking of the block and thickness of the head gaskets used. Some 305s had 58cc chambers, while others used 60cc chambers. So depending on the combination, you may be at 9.5:1 or 10:1 or something else. The stock 305 L69 (G) engines were 9.5:1 compression and ran fine on 91 octane. You will see a bit more power with the 350 lower end, but you won't get full advantage of it until you put on 350 heads with larger valves.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: timing on 350 with 305 heads
You can still set base timing lower than stock which will affect timing across the board.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis, MO
Car: 86 Firebird LG4
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip
Re: timing on 350 with 305 heads
I know using 305 heads on a 350 isn't the smartest move but it's all I had and this whole project is pretty much just about learning and not spending a ton of money because I didn't want to ruin any nice parts lol. Next time I'll just get a new crate 350 and drop it in, much easier.
More on the 305 head thing: I read that it increases a little bit of low end torque but craps out on you at like 4500 rpm. (I guess it makes sense because of the higher compression/smaller valves part).
More on the 305 head thing: I read that it increases a little bit of low end torque but craps out on you at like 4500 rpm. (I guess it makes sense because of the higher compression/smaller valves part).
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,763
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Car: 1982 Trans-Am
Engine: 355 w/ ported 416s
Transmission: T10, hurst shifter
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, true-trac, 3.73
Re: timing on 350 with 305 heads
Depends on what 350 heads you're comparing it to. They have smaller chambers and arguably better ports than the '70s smog heads. They have more meat to port, and when done up, can be a very competitive head. I run 416 305 castings on my 350.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Car: 1989 Rs
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Gear
Re: timing on 350 with 305 heads
I run the very same 416 cast heads on my 350 & man do I love it. With a decent cam youll be very impressed. It even ripped my "bullet proof" 700r4 to shreads. Because of that Im using my tax money to get a bowtie overdrive stage 3 700r4.
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