Hello everyone,
I know its a Camaro forum, ( I wish I still had mine), I keep getting directed to this site from Google. Anyways I have a 1989 Chevy Caprice Classic 5.0 TBI all original miles 90k I bought it with 72k. The car runs fine, I just think it needs a lot more power, I get tired of driving it because it's soo sloww. I love it though! So I got some money saved. I was thinking of doing an engine swap, but I'd rather just fix mines up. So how do I start?????? Im new to this, Where do I begin. What's the first thing I should start with?? I basically want my car to pull in at least 350 hp maybe 400 is that possible ??? Any advice, help will be very appreciated!! Thanks!!!!!

 

Go over to the tbi section, read the 350 vortec swap. The engine alone would give you alot more power then the 305. Can you get away w/ full dual exhaust? See if you can get a dual hump trans crossmember (LT1 cop car?) or modify yours.

 

You will get the performance you are looking for in your Caprice by building a carbureted 383 for it.
It will need a much upgraded exhaust, and since the exhaust fits the same from 305 to 383, that means you can go ahead and set up the exhaust now with the 305 you've got and get some power gain right away.
You will want 1.75" primary (1 3/4") stainless headers, and either dual 2.5" pipes, or a single mandrel-bent 3" pipe to the back. I recommend all stainless so it won't rot out.

Other items that will swap over from 305 to 383 would be underdrive pulleys and the intake manifold.
I recommend a performer-RPM style intake manifold, - the cheaper Chinese copy will do.
You will need an adapter plate in order to mount your TBI on the manifold, and your EGR would need to be deleted, so check with your emissions requirements for your area.

The exhaust, pulley, and intake manifold should add around 40 HP to your 305, and will swap over to your new engine when completed.
Your total horsepower may be around 220 hp at that point with your 305, if everything is working right.
To reach your 350 - 400 horsepower goal you will save a lot of trouble and expense by building another engine.
It takes a ton of work to bring a 305 up to that level, even without the limitations of the TBI system. Nothing is impossible, but I recommend an easier route. A Caprice is a very heavy vehicle, so I think the 383 cube engine would be more appropriate for performance.

 

305sbc this can be done to my engine? turning it into a 383?

 

No, he's talking about replacing your engine with a larger one with more power and potential

 

No you can't do that. The 305 and 383 have the same external dimensions though, so it's a straight swap.

 

Forget you have TBI and just Google SBC 400HP build

Examples
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...d/viewall.html
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ams/index.html
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...ild/index.html
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192432

 

I posted a long reply but idk what happend! Thanks everyone for all of your advice!!! The SBC 400 build sounds nice! ,, but what if I just want to keep my old 305 tbi, what can I do to it with 2k to give it some power. I want to do everything at once to prevent other issues. This is my daily driver, a master mechanic seen my engine and said it's well tooken care of. I got it from an old lady she bought it brand new in 89 got the manuals n all from the dealer., the car still has the original spark plugs and wires, I think I need to change em! So I kinda just want to keep the engine ... So you guys any advice??? I will greatly appreciate it.... Thanks!!!!

 

Add dual exhaust.
A dual snorkle or open element air cleaner, with a hi-flow filter. Check out the salad bowl mod, tbi power charger.
Ultimate tbi mods. Google it.
Try some 1.6 rockers.
Are you up to an intake swap? Edelbrock makes a nearly direct swap intake.
Do some reading over at the tbi section, those items I mentioned are bolt ons, other modes req' you to open up the engine.

 

thanks ex-xfire!! i will look into that.....does anyone know of a good performance shop in los angeles???

 

Check your emission laws before doing alot of mods.

 

Hey everyone, I came across a friend of mine selling a 454 with 396 heads is that an easy fit on my car or does it require alot of work and mods in order to fit.??? Thanks