As the title may suggest, I'm planning up for a build on a 305, based mainly towards max low end torque (and mileage to some extent). I'm not concerned with max HP to any degree, the only dyno time this engine will have is while being tuned, and it will be my DD.

My goals are to build a reliable engine that will get an MPG or two more than what I'm getting now (???-23MPG) and that will make better than 320 ft/lbs nice and low (at the engine, not the wheels). The platform is an 89 TPI 305 that will eventually replace the TBI 305 in my 89 TA. Here's what I have in mind so far:

Cam selection

- 501A1LUN (Lunati)
- 501A2LUN
- 501A3LUN
- 104204 (Crane Cams)
- 104201

Exhaust

- Hooker Streetforce Headers & Y Pipe (2055)
- Hooker Streetforce Cat-back (16820)

Engine

Either try to smooth out the stock heads (probably to save some $), or get

- World Products SR Torquer Heads (042660).

I'm also toying with the idea of getting a stroker kit (just to get a new rotating assembly, I'd rather keep the ci at 305), or maybe just a short or long block from Blueprint engines if they can help me out with that.

Thinking about doing some smoothing and mild porting of the plenum (or should I avoid that?). Open to other suggestions though, thanks for your input. Also, what would be the most torque you could make from a 305 with a similar setup? What setup do you use/suggest?

P.S. I am NOT considering going to a 350, even if "tReE-fiDeezS sUK nOO8." I'm just interested in a fun low ci build that'll last for a good long time that doesn't need an oil well or a pit crew to keep running. I have all the small details worked out, I just left them out for space reasons and because this is the stuff I'm not 100% about.

Whoops, in fact they made 300 in 89. Better up the bar

 

i don't know about those cams, but i thought that stock 305 TPI makes somewhere around 290 ft/lbs, so any improvement over stock will give you the 300 at motor that you want

 

Too be exact they had 295 ft/lbs of torque with an auto, but close enough. With some bolt ons you should get a bit more torque that you are looking for.

 

My peanut cammed 88 puts down 273RWTQ, which comes out to either 313 or 321 at the motor (depending on how you calculate it).

 

How much torque do you think that a built 305 would put out if you really tried (on a budget)?

 

u could make 350ft at the motor, the smaller cubes just dont make alot like a 350 would. a good cam and heads u can make 350ftlbs. but these u have to remember will be at higher RPMS due to the increased beathing of the heads/cam/intake. the best way to make more hp and tq would to stroke it to a 335.

also depending on your motor and how the milage is... u arent making that 295 anymore. put a peanut cam in a 305 o4 350 with low duration and lift and a TPI and it will be a low HP high tq motor. which is exactly what the TPI motors that came in these cars are.

dont bother workin the stock heads.... they suck as is and u will prob save money and make more power with the SRtorquers they are good heads and cheap. match that with a cam thats between 212-220 duration and port the hell outa the TPI and ur set, i woujld say 340ftlbs and 270-300hp

 

Out of a 305?

 

STOCK 305 is usually 220hp at the motor.
U swap the upper half....toss on some headers....yeah it will get there.

 

yes. ive seen many builds of 305. and with a setup like i said before u could get those numbers. and when u build the upperhalf u gotta get the exhuast to flow. a edelbrock TES headers/3"ypipe, high flow cat, and 3" catback and you can get that.