Hey guys I am in need of some advice. I am would like to rebuild my 305 tpi out of an 87 z28 camaro. I am new to engine work, this summer has been strictly rust control. So this winter I am yanking out the engine.

My father used to be a mechanic for many years, but he has been out of that field for over 20 years. So I am in need of advice of what, and what to replace it with. I am a senior in high school so money is tight. I do not want to get crazy with it, but I would would like a decent engine.

I have heard that putting 350 heads on it is a good thing to do, is that true? And if so why. In the future i would aslo like to turbo it. So if I you could point me in that direction along the way so i dont have to rebuild the engine again to with stand the turbo that would be awesome.

Like I said any advice would be awesome. I havent taken it out yet, but soon.

Thanks alot Chris

 

My first question is what type of budget are you on... You can spend a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands... Let your budget help you decide, nothing worse than a project you can't afford to finish...

 

I was looking to spend around a thousand on it. I don't want a speed racer engine, but a decent one

 

Well the motor I'm working on now just had $500 worth of machine work before any parts have gone into it, that was to bore out the cylinders, alignbore the mains, clearance the block for a stroker crank as well as to have it decked... But I have some big plans for this one. Ask your local mechanics who they use for machine work, they'll let you know who to go to and who to avoid. I would at least have the cylinders bored oversize. Get prices from them up front, tell them your budget and goals and they can really help you plan, they build motors everyday. If your 305 is in good shape you can probably get away with a good rebuild kit and new pistons, again talk to the machine shop. Search for posts on here, there are a lot of guys doing great with the 305's, read carefully and see a bunch of guys that have swapped to 350's and are actually a lot slower. I personally am on the fence, Ive had a lot of good luck with both, keep in mind you'll spend the same to rebuild a 305 as a 350... There's a lot of good info on here and a lot of garbage, read carefully! My typical rebuild has been running about $1300 to $1500, but I usually do heads came and all new accessories( water pump, starter, alternator, etc...)

 

Wow thanks, that really helps. Now you said new heads and cam is what i think you ment to say. I have also read that 350 heads are really good on a 305, I dont know if thats true.

Now with the cam, what should i look into getting and from where.

And getting it bored, how much is decent enough?

And thanks smier, that last post that is exactly what i was looking for.

chris

 

"350" heads on a 305 is a terrible mistake unless they are the aluminum L98 heads from an 87-91 corvette. I've been in your shoes, do yourself a huge favor and do a stock rebuild. If you want more power use a slightly more aggressive cam, headers, exhaust, underdrive pulleys. Keep it simple and reliable and you'll be happier in the long run I promise!

 

I have to agree, you won't know how much machine work is necessary until you pull the motor apart. If it's a good running motor then probably not much, if it's been abused or had something go bad than it will require more. The 350 I used as an example in my previous post had a piston that had come apart in one of the cylinders so it had to be bored .40 over, but it had some fairly deep scratches. I agree with 1meanz, keep it fairly stock since it's your first time rebuilding one. Definately a slightly more agressive cam and have the heads rebuilt, those should be the centerbolt heads correct? I've been contemplating trying to learn how to port and polish on an old set of 350 heads I have laying around, I'm sure there's some threads on the board about it. Also get yourself a book on rebuilding small block Chevys, I have an old haynes one, it's ok, I'm sure there are better ones out there that someone can recommend. It's been a big help. It's a lot of fun, just take your time and do a lot of research before you start. If you go to radical you'll end up changing injectors and custom chips etc... So I'd focus on building a solid bottom end, thereby setting yourself up for more modifications later as funds become available and as you learn more about your car. These are really fun cars in stock form, kinda why I'm dragging my feet on my 383 buildup. I don't want to lose the reliable fun car I have now... I've been seriously contemplating putting it on hold and just doing exactly what we're talking about here.

 

Alright so i probably wont need to get it machined because it does run, but not very well. So then i will get some heads and a new cam.

What kind of cam should i look into??