hey guys i was looking at a white 88 GTA earlier today, digital dash and all. a bit rough but for $1k you cant beat it considering as how it runs and drives great. the factory motor is showing up as a 305 TBI and its not lol. how do i tell the difference between a 305 TPI and a 350 TPI without taking stuff apart cause i would like to know what im getting before i buy it. any help would be great.

 

You have to read the casting number. This website explains everything.

http://www.mortec.com/

 

any easier ways? cause with the motor in the car its almost impossible for me to see the back fo the block.

 

No, because externally a 305 and 350 look the same. You need to just look at the back of the block, on the driver side, behind the head, for a big 5.0 or 5.7. You don't really need to see the smaller casting numbers unless it's not an original motor in the car.

 

What do you mean by factory 305 tbi? typo? A GTA would only be TPI.

Some "clues" as to 305 vs 350 would be via the VIN, which should show what the car originally came with in terms of engine (F for 305, 8 for 350). You could also pop a valve cover and check the head casting number. 081 is a 305 head, and 083 is a 350 head for both the 305 and 350 in an 88 GTA...if the engine has not been modified or tampered with.

Getting to the casting number would be much better.

 

found another way to tell. distributor cap is completely different. well on mine it was. i went ahead and bought all the stuff for a 305TPI following the VIN number and went outside and looked at the stuff and it was completely different from what i had, so i went back in and asked to see the cap for a 350tpi and it was identical to mine so i learned something new today.

 

Another way to see the back of the engine is a mirror and a flashlight.