Ok guys, I am in real need of some advice and help (if possible). My car has the 305TBI in it. I do not, and will not have the money to build a new 350 or crate motor ANYTIME soon. So, my question is....how can I get more power out of that little motor? I know a chip would help, but, is htere anything that I can do to the motor to help it? How about some under drive pullies? What (if anything) would that do for me?
I took my car to the track and it only ran a 10:52 in the 1/8 mile. There was another 305 car running 9"90's (but he was 5speed.
I am on an EXTREME budget with this project for now (next 2 years), and want to enjoy the car as much as possible with what little bit I have.
I am fairly new to cars and have a lot to learn, so I am turning to you guys......the experts!!
I have found me a 10bolt rear end for $400, so that will help with the launching, but I still lack horse power.
Do any of you have any ideas as to what I can do to make more power, or have any extra parts laying around that I could possibly use for this endeavor?
I would love to outrun my brothers 440 Baracuda. That would be very insulting to him!! I know it can be done, I just don't know if it can be done on my limited budget!!


PLEASE help!!

 

Full exaust, intake, cam, lower gears and posi which i think you mentioned, better ignition setup, fatter tires, and make sure its properly timed and all the normal stuff. As for beeting the 440 cuda, I belive that will blow the budget

 

Why are you buying another 10-bolt rearend?
You already have a 10-bolt. If you're getting it just for a steeper gear ratio, $400 is not cheap.
Look for a complete exhaust system, manifolds to tailpipes from a TPI car.
Mine was a junkyard find. Do not get any exhaust parts spec'd for a TBI or Carb'd car; even the aftermarket stuff is small diameter and not really an upgrade.
Exhaust, intake plumbing, rear gearing, and a tight 9.5" torque converter are as much as I would do for that engine.
The only way you'll keep up with that Cuda is to steal about 3 of his plug wires.

 

How much is your budget and how good are u at putting on intakes cam headers and 400 for a 10bolt is to much for just gears you can get what ever gear 4 under 100 if u want a cheap build get tpi heads and tpi set up I got 1 for 110 shipped

 

Torque convertor lockup switch I heard is a good addition

 

Your brother has a Barracuda. Has he worked on it himself. If he has any automotive skills will he help walk you through some of the work you will be doing. Just opening up the intake with a cool air set up like one plumed from the front of the car or a open element will help. Bumping your timing to around 4* will help with throttle response. The cool air set up is fairly inexpensive and the timing bump is free,that's why I mentioned them first.Next would be a complete exhaust replacement from manifolds to muffler with headers ,new "Y" pipe, high flow cat, 3in. intermediate pipe into a better flowing muffler.That will set you back more financially but needs to be done. Next is checking to see what rear end ratio your running and whether its a open differential.If its 2.73 with a open carrier then replacing it with a 3.42 or deeper ratio and a posi unit is a must. Replacing the rear end with what has been mentioned "will" release the stock 5.0 allowing it to put to the ground what power/torque it has and will give you the biggest punch off the line.
Most of this has already been mentioned by the guys like 86LG4Bird but I thought I would go over it again explaining just how important this will be in order to use the stock 5.0s potential.

 

All of that is just bolt on? What about the ecm? Then I still have the problem of single wheel traction...or lack of.....LOL!!!

 

Thats why I mention that the gear ratio and posi unit needs to be done. I can tell you that it will make a "large" difference in the cars performance but the cover should be pulled to see what ratio is actually in the car.It may have been changed already from stock. .Start with what has been suggested and you cant go wrong. As a matter of fact a tune up should actually be done first.

 

Welcome to TGO friend. This question has been asked and answered many MANY times, and I have no problem answering it once again.

Here are some public posts (you’ll have to cut through the opinionated and engine swap crap), but there is some good stuff in here. #1 rule, don’t get anything you can’t swap over to a 350 or 383 or sell later on. #2, Go cheap on the 305. Don’t put a $50 dollar saddle on a $20 horse is the common saying.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/626560-evaluate-305-tbi-build.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/622480-just-want-200hp.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/power-adder/622784-looking-get-high-power.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/630315-ron_90s-build-thread.html

And TGO Official posts. Ultimate TBI parts one and two, plus how to make a dual snorkel air cleaner.

https://www.thirdgen.org/ultimatetbi

https://www.thirdgen.org/ultimatetbi2

https://www.thirdgen.org/dualsnorkel


And these are my suggestions:

1. Open Air Element (Cleaner) or alternative cold air intake
2. New headers back exhaust system (very important)
3. TBI Computer Chip or tune (take in consideration what heads you have)
4. 180* Thermostat swap (helps it run better)
5. Sticky performance tires (Nitto NT555 or similar tire would be best for street)
6. Edelbrock performer rpm intake manifold (Not all that important till you get heads)
7. 3.42 gears and a posi rear end
8. Corvette Shift Kit and Servo (if you have an automatic transmission)
9. Ultimate TBI mods (see obove TGO official threads)
10. Wider Aftermarket Rims (like 17X10rear and 17X8front are best IMO)

And if you want to go big:
1. Heads (port out the old swirl ports or maybe get some vortech heads)
2. Camshaft (A ZZ4 cam is optimal)
Hope this helps!
-SKELITOR