I searched around all over but I couldn't find THIS particular issue in the sea of 305 to 350 threads. I'm looking to buy a Trans Am GTA in the next couple of weeks. I have always believed the 350 was the superior engine, and I'm sure in some ways it is. Thinking on it though, I'm not sure I need the 350. I plan to use this car as a daily driver that I can still work on, and use as a hobby car. So my question is, would I be totally disappointed with the 305/T5 setup? The car will NEVER see the track. Like anyone though, I do like to punch it at a stop light. I'm not opposed to bolt-ons, but I do want to keep the car driveable. Any input remotely related to this concept is greatly appreciated.

 

If you just want fun to drive, get the T5 car.

The T5 is basically the exception to the "rule" that 305 cars are less desirable and clearly inferior.

Someone else: You got a 350 in there?
You: No, it's just a 305
Someone else: Oh... oh well.
You: It's got a 5 speed
Someone else: OMG SWEET BRO!

Pretty much how it goes.

 

Haha I appreciate the response man. Fun is the primary objective here. Looks like the 5 speed is my choice, barring any horrible problems with the one I'll be checking out.

 

I would get 5 speed. Most of you bolt on mods can be used on a 350. So just Do the minor stuff intake, headers, exhaust and if you decide you really want something more do a 350 swap.

I know the 350 is better but I think depending on the year you are looking at a 10-15hp and 30ish tq difference.

 

Yeah I looked up the numbers for 88 (the year I'm looking at), and I'm not worried about losing that 10 hp. I am worried about the torque though. Am I paranoid?

 

Find out what the rear is in the 350. If it has the 2.77 I would take the manual 305 with the 3.08 any day

 

Oh that's a good idea, I didn't even consider the rear end. Thanks for the advice man.

 

They may be advertised at 10-20 hp less, but the 350 has always been superior. Even on the street, it feels faster and is more fun. I want to believe the 305 with a T5 and L98 cam is near similar power as the 350, but track times dont lie. I have yet to see a well driven L98 cammed LB9 run the times you'd expect if it was similar power to the 350 L98.

But for a daily driver, a 5 speed 305 car should still be fun, and with all the bolt ons, it should still make good enough power.

 

Well just by looking at your sig, I think you may have a more refined pallet for speed than I do, haha. I appreciate the info.

I guess that leads me to ask, what sorts of numbers could I expect with full bolt-ons? And also, I have been told ghost stories of 350s tearing up the t5 because of the torque. Does anybody have any experience with the two being mated together?

 

I've been high 12's with just about all the bolt ons for a L98 350. This was intake mods, 1.6 rockers, underdrive pulleys, smog delete, cat delete, air delete, a/c delete, 2800 stall, 3.42 gear, full suspension mods, lightweight drag wheels on slicks/skinnies, full exhaust, and a slightly more aggressive tune but it was abit lean at the time of the run. Should have been 12.80's but it went 12.95. Perfect air quality, in the 40's with 188 ft DA. Cant get much better than that.

Thats 254whp/315 wtq. A solid running L98 should dyno 240-260whp depending on what bolt ons are done.

I'd expect a 305 to be near 220whp MAYBE 230whp. I never seen them dyno'd tho with full bolt ons. Thats still enough to maybe get a high 13 second pass out of it tho. I have heard guys getting low mid 14's out of stockish LB9's with good gears and the L98 cam. Not all 305 5 speed cars had the bigger L98 cam.

One guy here made 195whp or so with a peanut cammed LB9 with stealth ram intake on it. thats the intake i ran to make 254whp lean. Peanut cam is a good 15-20whp short of a L98 cam I would say.

Because I never see people post here about what their 305 builds make, I want to build one. Start with stock bolt ons only and then get into heads/cam intake to see what I can get out of one.

 

I confirm you can have LOT of fun with a 305/t5 I did 14.8@94mph with completly stock 100k miles 305/t5 and 3.73 gears.

 

if you are going to get a 305 5speed get a 90+. its fun bad ***. but trust when i say. one day you will want more power and you will regret not getting a 350.