At work today I was dreaming up this combo Start with my '91 305 LB9 block, rebuild it with new parts (170k on it), except with the L98 heads and cam, so I have a 230bhp powerplant to work with instead of a 205bhp one. So I'd slap a stealth ram on the top, and go on eBay and pick up one of these $1,000 SBC turbo kits, and slap that on as well, and then get a tune. Now, will my stock TPI pump fuel that? Since it's just gonna be a stock 305 block, I'd probably run a very low amount of boost, maybe 8-10 lbs. I also want to put nitrous on it, maybe a 75 or 100 shot.

Will a stock rebuilt LB9 hold up to all that?

My other question, we're swapping in a WC-T5, that will need to hold up to it. I have a lot of friends that have them in trucks and F-Bodies, and have given them hell for years, some with over 200k on them, and they are holding up great, but everybody here seems to bash them. I don't want to pay BIG bucks for a T-56 setup, when I prefer the T-5 anyways lol.

Will all this work? What are your opinions? I really want to build a killer 305 to smoke all the 350 loving people out there especially a 305 with stock internals lol!!!

Forgot to add, the car already has headers and full 3" exhaust, I know that is a good idea to have with a turbo.

Definately not a slap it on job those kits are usually incomplete and require alot of work/fab time and such.
But for a budget built, not a bad choice to start.

Fuel pump may handle it but i'd upgrade anyway since its old. Not all that expensive and definately worth it over risking a old pump failure. Plus it will handle 550whp with a hot wire voltage kit.

Turbo kit will delete your headers and then you'd have to fab the downpipe to meet up with the factory catback.

Depending on how you do this, you may beable to use your headers if they are shorties and bring the pipes off the headers back up under the car between the motor and K-member. Have to Y-it together at one point and meet at the turbo flange. Run a T4 60-70mm setup like a master power or ebay turbo thats similar and it should do ok.

Downpipe route would be tricky but doable. If you had good ground clearance you can try to bring the header pipes up under the K member and then bring the down pipe from the turbo back between motor and Kmember. 2.5" pipe is all you need from headers into the turbo and you can route that well. Down pipe should remain 3" and that becomes abit harder to route. have to be creative with it.

You are already 91-92 speed density so all you need to do is burn a chip setup for Code $59 and tune from there. Shouldnt be a hard swap at all. Upgrade to 36 lb injectors or so good to about 450whp possibly which is all you'd want to ever push on that mild rebuild.


You'd want to mimic somethign like the BBS designs turbo setup. If you can fab that header that would be awesome and definately a good way to go. If not, still run the pipes somewhat similar.


it be easier and cheaper to do a mild rebuild, cam it abit and spray it with a 150 hit and still run pretty hard

Interesting. I'm going to warm up my 305 over the winter, (I'm not an LB9 hater, obviously), but it has only 55K meticulously maintained miles on it. If I had to re-do the short block, I'd toss it out in a heartbeat for a 350 or even a 383. Plus, most of what I'm adding to the little one can be used on a 350, should the time ever come.

Good luck with that. I've seen T-5's fall apart too many times to say that with 8# on a 305 is going to do any better than one does with a 300+RWHP 350.

The engine if its not worn out should be fine. I ran as much as 18 on mine, its a completely stock 91 LB9 with a lot of abusive miles. The only thing wrong with it is the GM salute (valve stem seals), but thats pretty typical on any old SBC. I would replace the fuel pump, use the TTA or Syclone/Typhoon pump. I also agree with upgrading the injectors, although how far is up to you. I was running what would amount to 24# injectors to keep up with the fueling I needed and the duty cycle and wideband o2 readings were fine.

I dont get the drive to build a 305 to 'beat' a 350. Put that same setup on a 350 and its going to make more power regardless of what anyone tells you. I put a SC on mine, because it was there. I didnt do it to "prove" anything, there are plenty of cars out there faster than mine with smaller engines, and likewise larger engines. Build it to go as fast as you want the car to go, and forget about it being a 305 as if that is anything special. Its not.

Its because he has his sights on a certain LT1 TA locally.

Oh I see... grudge match.