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Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Hey everyone, I've been assembling the top end of the 305 in my 1986 Trans Am and have now come to the stage where I am beginning to bolt on accessories, exhaust manifolds, and carb. Included in the build are a set of World Products 305 S/R heads, Edelbrock Victor Jr intake, and Holley 750. As such I am converting to an Accel vacuum advance HEI distributor and I think effectively relieving the ECM of its engine management duties. Today I torqued down the new thermostat housing and noted that on the old housing there was what I think is a coolant temp sensor (pictured) threaded into it. This got me to thinking about the fact that the new heads and intake have no provision for the factory coolant temp sender (for the gauge) which I believe is threaded into the factory intake as well as the fan switch which threads into the side of the factory driver side head. Would it be possible to relocate the sender and switch elsewhere? Thanks in advance.
Last edited by MrCaswell; Jun 13, 2021 at 06:35 PM.
I have seen (and read) that HotRod article before. I get it.
My engine is a stroked 305 (to 334) and uses those same World products heads.
Your engine might be a little spongy on the bottom end - Still, the Performer RPM would be a better choice on an otherwise stock engine because it has provisions for exhaust-manifold heat, accepts stock bracketry, and probably offers better low-rpm throttle response.
You do realize that they ran 2 combos - a Vortec headed combo, and the WP headed combo. The Vortec combo made the 325 HP / 316 TQ numbers. We tested the World 305 heads on our dyno mule along with the standard Victor Jr. intake, the Holley 750, and the Comp Xtreme Energy 262 cam. In this configuration, we made 297.6 hp at 5,500 rpm and 308 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm-healthy for a little engine. These numbers can't be compared fairly to the 325-horse/316 lb-ft numbers with the Vortec heads because the intake-manifold design was slightly different.
All of these gains won't matter if you plan to use your stock exhaust. That will kill these numbers in a hurry. Mounted on Westech's dyno, ours breathed through headers and 3-inch dual pipes feeding Flowmaster mufflers.
I have seen (and read) that HotRod article before. I get it.
My engine is a stroked 305 (to 334) and uses those same World products heads.
Your engine might be a little spongy on the bottom end - Still, the Performer RPM would be a better choice on an otherwise stock engine because it has provisions for exhaust-manifold heat, accepts stock bracketry, and probably offers better low-rpm throttle response.
You do realize that they ran 2 combos - a Vortec headed combo, and the WP headed combo. The Vortec combo made the 325 HP / 316 TQ numbers. We tested the World 305 heads on our dyno mule along with the standard Victor Jr. intake, the Holley 750, and the Comp Xtreme Energy 262 cam. In this configuration, we made 297.6 hp at 5,500 rpm and 308 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm-healthy for a little engine. These numbers can't be compared fairly to the 325-horse/316 lb-ft numbers with the Vortec heads because the intake-manifold design was slightly different.
All of these gains won't matter if you plan to use your stock exhaust. That will kill these numbers in a hurry. Mounted on Westech's dyno, ours breathed through headers and 3-inch dual pipes feeding Flowmaster mufflers.
Yes, I realize that. The car is currently running 2" side pipes with no cats. Stock manifolds unfortunately, but that can change in the near future.
