This is partly a continuation to my previous post but with enough different direction that I felt a new post was warranted.

I decided instead of replacing the cam and putting money into my current 305 engine, I ordered a new long block. The engine I ordered is a 350 with a performance upgrade, estimated 340 hp, 9.25 compression.

First off, the headers, everyone seems to praise the Hooker 2055s, but I can't get past the price of them. Seven hundred dollars for the ceramic coated ones on summitracing seems a bit ridiculous for something that adds such little performance gain by comparison. Are there cheaper alternatives to these that would work good for the new engine I'm getting? Also keeping in mind that I plan to eventually get a T56 conversion done on my car as well and will probably go with a Spohn crossmember when I do that. I only mention this because I've been reading in the exhaust section and noticed some people having issues with some y-pipes and the spohn crossmember.

Next, I'm looking for suggestions on what other parts I should go ahead and replace / upgrade. The engine is a long block so I'm supposed to use my balancer, timing cover, flywheel, intake, and oil pan. I'm guessing I will probably need a new balancer but not sure on the other stuff.

Should I get a new distributor as well? Also, any recommendations on spark plugs? What about the starter, will I need a new one or should the old one work (I've had to replace it within the past 6 months so it's not an old one)?

Any other suggestions or recommendations on things that I may be missing are most welcome. This will be my first engine swap so I can use all the help and suggestions that I can get!

 

is the 305 carbed, tbi, or tpi?

balancer will need to be one for a 350.
the timing cover will bolt on the new engine fine, but the timing marks might not line up with your new balancer.
flywheel and oil pan will depend on weither or not the long block you got is one peice or 2 peice rear main seal and what your 305 is, if theyre both the same youre good.
intake will bolt up as long as the heads are the same style. if theyre vortech heads, you need a new manifold. if its non vortec heads, you might need to modify the center bolt holes on the intake for it to work.
the dizzy will depend on if you keep the stock fuel delivery method or not. if you are, the stock dizzy will work. if swapping to an aftermarket carb, youll need an HEI dizzy.
youll also need a knock sensor for a 350 (if keeping the stock fuel delivery method).

you also didnt mention tuning. if youre keeping the 305's fuel delivery, youll need to either get a chip from a 350 car, or get ur chip retuned to run the 350.

 

Carb, and I didn't include the other stuff because I don't know anything about it. What chip is in my car that effects tuning? I wasn't aware of one. Afaik all the tuning is done on the carb.

I don't know if mine is a one or two piece, I'd imagine it's whatever the stock 305 was in 1986.

I'll have to check if it has the vortech heads on the one I ordered, I honestly don't know. I just know it's their peformance upgrade model with an estimated 340hp really.

And I've never even heard of a "dizzy" no idea what that is. But I plan to keep my stock CCQJet carb.