I’ve been searching about a month now for a reputable shop (who won’t rip me off) to rebuild my stock 305 TPI engine from my 89’ IROC Convertible, it has less then 130,000Km. Prices vary from $1600.00-$2500.00 to get my 305 freshen-up, or $3600.00-$5000.00 for a fresh 350. I’m leaning towards the 305 freshen-up at this point.
The problem is with the conflicting stories I hear, no two shops are alike. One shop will replace the bearings whether they need it or not, another will inspect and make a judgement call. One shop will sonic test the block, the other doesn’t even mention it, etc, etc.
Then there are warranties; they vary from 3-months to 3-years. I store my car 7 months a year, what’s a 3-month warranty going to do for me if I don’t take the car out till May but have the work done in February.
I need recommendations from members who have gotten work done. What’s a good price to pay for a freshen-up and a fresh 350? What should I look out for? Who don’t you recommend? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

I've got a couple things to mention to you...I hope this will help. First of all, you need to know what you want done. If you are unsure, do some research. If you want the block sonic tested, tell them you want it sonic tested. Don't rely on the mechanic to mention ideas to you, bring ideas to him. That way you know you getting done to the engine what you want.

Secondly, if the engine is going for a rebuild and the mechanic is unsure of whether or not the bearing will need replacing (visual inspection?!?) then you don't want to go to that guy. It the block is being hauled out of your car and stripped done, why wouldn't you replace the bearings and any wear items?!? There should be no question here at all.

My mechanic that I've been going to for years has a very good reputation around town for building up good engines. I fully plan on getting him to build me a 383 in a few years time (my existing 350 is still too good to justify the cost yet). Email me at christopher.vagg@rbc.com and I can give you his info. In the past three years I have no complaints about his work and have never walked away feeling cheated.

 

every thing irocker said you keed to know PLUS a few other things
why are you rebuilding? more power?or just run better
are you going to put a new cam in? will the cam need a chip? will the new cam work with the stock converter
will you need bigger injectors
are you doing rebuild the top end too if so what can you keep and what need to go(a bigger cam will almost allways meen replacing spring, lifters,push rods and rockers)
what are your future plans for mods will they work with what you have done this time

and dont forget the other things that you dont know about until you tare down the engine


i seen to be one step ahead of you. this is some of the things that i have had to deel with in the last month

remember that HP is mesured in cubic dollars and whatever you do and decide to spend EXPECT it cost 1/3 to 1/2 more than the first price

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I’ve called up the shops you’ve recommended and am in dialogue with them.
I guess I should have mentioned when I made the posting, that I pretty much know what I want as far as the work done. I’m not looking to go crazy with a lot of horsepower or car twisting torque; it is a convertible after all. I’d like to go with a stock engine, preferably a 350. They come stock 240 Hp and 330ft.lb torque, give or take. I just want a car that is derivable and can stand up to the newer cars of the day. I hate it when some Mustang…or worse yet, one of the foreign cars (Toyota, Honda, etc) passes me by on the street or highway highway and all I can do is just keep up!!
Although my 305 is kick-*** and has great torque, its getting a bit tired. The crank case cover is leaking, the oil pan is leaking, the intake has a bit of anti-freeze corrosion and its leaking a bit. When I start the car a great BIG puff of grey smoke spits out the tail pipe so the valve seals are probably gone. Lastly, I think I’m beginning to smell burnt oil, all in all its time for a complete rebuild.
Please keep sending me your recommendations and i really do appreciate the responses.

Chubb Rock

 

Give Entec racing a call, they have a good rep as performance builders . They are in Scarborough and their # is 416 438 6117

 

I am surprised that no one mentioned ARE yet... www.agostino-racing.com I personally haven't done anything there yet, but I hear they are great.. they were at riceorama (aka speedorama) last month

 

There's also Kane's Performance on Queen Street East in TO. They're in the book and the owner drives an 82 TA. You can get their website off TorontoF-Body.ca or whatever it's called.

 

I have the choice of rebuilders down to 2 or 3. I’m still undecided on what to go with, either a stock rebuild of my 305, or go up to a 350. I’m getting conflicting advise from people I speak with.
A small number of people have mentioned to me that I CAN’T use my existing injectors on a 350, and the majority of people I speak with say I CAN use them. The minority have a strong case in that they say the volume and spray pattern of the 350 injectors are different then those of the 305 injectors. The difference may be small but noticeable. The majority says that a stock 350 doesn’t crank out enough raw horsepower to really effect the performance of the injector, or engine.
I’ve asked every single rebuilder this question, and 85% of them have said yes, reuse the injectors, it’s the other 15% who have me worried and confused. Who’s right?
Who's right?

 

Hey.... about the injectors... think about it, If it was on to use 19#/hr injectors on the 350, don't you think GM would have? Would have saved them money.

My opinion is, to same money, just get a nice cam for your 305, maybe some nice 10:1 pistons, and you'll be pushin some nice power

 

Atchison Machine Service (AMS) is the best shop I've ever dealt with... they usually only do race engines, but somehow I talked them into doing a block for me. They are in London Ontario.

www.atchisonracing.com

 

ARE is a very good shop but you will also pay for there expert craftsmanship.

As for the injectors, I totally agree with Nathan, GM put 22lb injectors in the 350 for a reason. The 19lbers will work, but your not doing yourself a favour by keeping them. If you plan on adding power any time in the future, you may want to consider going with 24lb...but the 22lb will do you quite well though.