Hey guys, I'm looking for a good aftermarket performace package for my 89 LB9 305 TPI engine. Something that includes cylinder heads, cam shaft, and intake system. Anyone know where to get a good one for around $1500?

 

Not for that price. I would also look into a new block, pistons and rings.

 

good heads will cost more than that

 

not looking for anything more than 300-325hp, so didnt need the best heads, just looking to get above the 300hp mark. is there a better way to get there with the LB9 305 without supercharging?

 

I'm moving this where I think you will get more replies.

 

Heads $800+
Cam $250+
Rockers $175+
Headers/Cat/Pipes/Muffler/Tips $1000+

A 300 Horse Power 305.... Priceless.

 

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/2172...ke-Headers.htm vortec heads with modified springs and vortec base, and your choice of a cam. for you cam i sugest you look here> http://thunderracing.com/catalog/?ac...&vid=6&pcid=51. for your cam i would pick something between the 300,302,304,501,and 465. to be honest unless you port the heads anything to far over .5 lift is over kill.
the 304 is pro. the way to go.

i must say 1500 isn't all that much to go with. if it is your first mod to the car id spind it on the exhaust, like the hooker 2055s and a cat back. that a lone will be close to 1000. id do that first if you haven't already, and if so the mods i listed will do wonders. and remeber its all for NOTHING if you do not get a good custom prom burnt for it.

 

, I think the problem starts with the LB9..
Im not picking any fights here, I also know there is some extremely well-built and super quick LB9 305 cars here on ThirdGen, But at what expense
and expierence??

I know alot of people, Including myself that
could build a 300HP SBC 350 on a budget ..
Not so mucha 5.0L 305 though. You can go
about it in two ways, Commit to the LB9 and
take that $1500 and buy Headers of you choice
& a exhaust system.. or obtain a L98 long/short
block or something of that nature.. A much more
suitable platform for making horsepower.

Also, Depending on the casting heads you have..
Id get some 081 58cc 305 heads and work them over,
That is pennies on the dollar..and a decent cylinder head at that.. With a matched cam and good induction, 300HP can be obtained with streetability.

Throwing $1500 in bolt-ons wont make 300HP,
but a well thought-out and planned build can far exceed that and can very well save you money!!

 

When discussing a 305, there's always someone who has to play the race card.....

Want more power? Toss that POS 305 and get a 350.

 

I learned on a LB9 305, I love em'..personally

I was simply stating not all of us are master engine
builders, and to make any kind of power with limited
knowledge.. I certainly would not suggest a 305 motor
to start with.

Hell, junkyard block 350 with decent heads, cam
and a nice carb set-up.. 300HP roughly.

I didnt totally dismiss the 305 either, If he commits
to it.. everyone here agrees exhaust would be a wise
step

 

I hear ya, and I don't mean to dis you. If this guy wants to scrap the 305 for any reason, that's fine with me. It's just that he asked about a 305 performance package.

With enough reading it becomes obvious to most that making a 305 powerful is typically just not the best choice. Then again at least it's starting with a V8.... and as a daily driver these engines can easily run 200K miles.

If I had a car that wasn't so rare, and with a very well maintained original engine I should add, I would have gone a different route. I'd have yanked the 305, boxed it, and bought a new 350 crate engine, but I have my reasons for building it too.

I've got Hooker 2055's coming in the mail, and my little 305 is running pretty well. It was expensive though, basically 3 grand in parts, and the rotating assembly is used and original. Still many of the costs were not specific to a 305, exhaust for example, these cars all need it regardless of what engine is in it.

 

Yea, Sorry bout that.. 305 it is !!

$1500 is very meager when trying
to find a "package" so to speak.. A set of
Headers and cat-back could easily consume
a nice portion of that cash. Usually people like
to start on the internals.. while alot of people
start on intake/exhaust.

Cam selection could be troubling, especially
if your undecided what Induction to run and
heads you want in the future.

Assuming you have or can obtain 081 or 416
heads, you dont have to drop $1200+ on after market heads.. Condition your existing ones. A
mild port, some new valves, springs and seals..
also purchase a set of some 1.52 or 1.6 ratio
roller rockers

Complement that with a mild cam and a free
flowing exhaust and Id say your off to a great
start..

 

I think that the 1989 LB9 TPI has a pretty decent set of heads, cam, and intake already. With $1500 as a budget I would suggest using all of those parts as is. Do this:

Get the Valves to Open a little further.
Buy some 1.6 Roller Tip Rocker Arms from EBay: COMP CAMS Small Block Chevy MAGNUM ROLLER ROCKERS #1418-16 $160

Buy a full exhaust with Headers from Summit

Headers:
Summit:http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku $410

CAT:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku $98

3" I-Pipe:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku $97

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku $58

Tailpipes:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku $36

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku $35

Muffler:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku $90




And Improve the Air and Fuel Mixture:

Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku $90

Air Filters:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku $52


Total Cost is $1126. Allow $150 to have it welded together at an exhaust shop and you're at $1276.

I would guess an easy 25+ HP gain! And money still left over to have the headers ceramic coated if you want! And.. It will sound AWESOME!!!

 

"Hey guys, I'm looking for a good aftermarket performace package for my 89 LB9 305 TPI engine"

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...&sid=179#P1826

The end.

 

 

I hear that!

 

Looking back to the SDPC link I have some questions. With a set of Vortec heads on the LB9 how much lift can you give it before you run into problems? I recall hearing that part of the problem with building a 305 is limited lift. Also it would seem that getting good power from a 305 would mean higher rpm. This would mean a short runner intake whech means no vortec heads, right? Is there a low cost option head that could work with the LT1 intake conversion?

 

Thanks for all the tips, basically the problem i'm running into is I want the 350 engine, but also want the manual trans. Which would be easier/cheaper, buy a 350 and add a manual transmission, or buy a 305 and drop in a 350? how hard is a 350 swap? (keep in mind i have limited re-building experience)

 

Buy a 305 5-Speed and install a 350 engine. Going from an Auto to a Manual Trans has more difficult issues to deal with.

 

what type of budget should I set for a 350 swap?

 

$1500 bang for your buck:

 

i would think s/r torquer heads and an LT4 cam would be a good pack and streetable no matter what type of intake u got, for all small blocks

 

pick up a used set of aluminum L98 heads and a LT4 hotcam kit. use the left over money to buy headers and exhaust. thats what I did.

 

what kind of power are you making? i want to do a 305 build up also...
i just want to hit 300rwhp and keep it a daily driver...
i already have a full exhaust and next comes headers with a cut out , cam and heads...
im thinkin of rebuilding the tpi base with some porting and some slp runners
do you think 300hp is an outrageous number to hit?

 

I don't know what kind of power I am making.. never dyno'ed or been to a track. There is another guy on this boards that has almost identical mods to me, and I think he said he dynoed at 260?

 

I thought L98 heads wouldnt work on a 305?

I also have an LB9 and I still dont know which way I'm going with it. For now I'm working around the engine. Full exhaust, some suspension mods, ignition, basically stuff that can easily be swapped over to a 350 if I plan on moving on up in engine size.

 

They are talking about aluminum L98 heads out of a Vette(58cc comb. chambers). The iron L98 heads out of 'maro/'birds are not the same.

 

ooh I missed the aluminum part. I just saw the L98. I thought the corvette engine had a different RPO code from L98.