I have a 1986 Camaro with a 305 TPI engine and 700R4 transmission.

I have an understanding that the 305 crate engines are no longer available.

Does anyone have information on what 350 engine I can use with my OEM TPI setup and 700R4 transmission.

 

If you're looking to buy new, I think your best option is to look for a L31/Truck engine. These will have vortec heads, and VERY mild cam...not sure of specs off the top of my head. These can be purchased pretty much anywhere. I think Scoggin Dickey has em for about $2100. Than you'd need the vortec TPI base for another (if new) $400. That's not a bad motor for $2500. You'd need to sort out your ECM/tuning but that's still a heck of a deal. You can also look into the Goodwrench "non" vortec engines for closer to $1500, and you wouldn't need that vortec TPI base either. Less performance, but less money. Still gotta look into the tuning...and makes the 4 manifold/head bolts are the same. 86 manifold might not be the same, but that's a quick easy fix. Anyhow, those are cheap fixes.

but....depending on budget and goals....you can pretty much do anything you want! The bigger and badder you go, the TPI starts to become a less appealing option, but it sounds like that's not really your goal, per se.

 

Any small block chevy engine from 86 to 92 will be exact replacement (350 will need bigger injectors). Stay away from LT1 (reverse cooling) and L31 Vortecs unless you don't mind changing the intake manifold base to match the vortec cylinder heads. You could use earlier engines but the existing manifold base would need to be reworked at the center mounting holes to match the angle of the heads. It should be noted that you can put 86 and later center bolt valve cover heads on a pre 86 block but that is something you would have to do as it is not a "stock" replacement crate combination. Easiest would be to get a crate 350 with a roller cam (price difference is negligible and well worth it) and swap your complete TPI setup onto it and get some 21 lbs. injectors to match the engine. Best bang for the buck, get an L31 Vortec with either a Vortec base for your TPI or possibly a cheap HSR clone and fuel rails (more cost). Any 350 you put into your car will need to be "tuned" for optimum drivability and performance. You can still get 305 crate engines and just plug and play but why pay the same for a lot less performance? JMO!

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

My intentions is to maintain the OEM TPI system. So I would rather not go the Vortec rout.

I found the following engine on eb "GM Performance 12499529 Small Block Chevy 350/290 Long Block Engine" (link:http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Performan...-/291614074191).

Could this be an option?

 

I have the GM Goodwrench 350/260 that I modded. The 350/290 is the same engine with bigger cam. If I could do it all over again, I would have gotten the L31 vortec motor and changed cams. If you don't want to go vortec, then I would suggest finding a used 350 roller motor and having it rebuilt. The problem with the last option is finding a reputable re-build shop.

 

I'm basically doing the same swap as you are but into an '87 IROC with a T-5. I picked up an 85k vortec 5.7 out of a '98 tahoe for $450 and will be keeping the tpi setup. I picked up a edelbrock tpi base from a member on here and will be using a fast retro harness and control module to run it. When it's all said and done I will have a little under $1700 in the complete engine swap.

 

Don't be too quick to dismiss the Vortec TPI option. Simply replacing the 305 removes the "original" from the equation from a value point of view. Beyond that, the Vortec TPI looks the same. ....the only difference is the much better performance.

....the only issue with the Vortec TPI option in my opinion is with mods later on down the road. Any cam worth swapping in requires head/valvetrain work...which can negate the cost benefit, PLUS...the TPI Vortec base then becomes a major restriction as does the the TPI itself. If you have no plans of anything beyond replacing the 305 with a 350, and maintaining a factory appearing TPI, then there's no better bang for the buck than the L31 vortec. In fact I think it wins that category by a landslide.

 

I was in the same position. Wanted to retain the TPI top end but after much reading and research found the Vortec was a good choice. Went with that and a LT1 F-body early cam, plus a Holley Stealth Ram intake. Glad I did as the TPI intake would have been a bottleneck as Abubaca said. If you keep an eye out on here or ebay you might find a deal on a HSR or a Vortec TPI base. I paid less for my full HSR setup (intake, rails, injectors, TB) than it would have been for the Vortec TPI base.

 

What did you decide?
I am also looking at this engine for possible replacement in an '89 IROC 305/T5 car. Its for a family member in the military and I want it to be as stock/trouble free as possible for them. I don't want to go with any aftermarket harness/ECM.

 

Best I can tell that motor is NOT a roller block, so right there you're taking a step backwards. Plus 8.5 to 1 compression, down from what I think is almost a full point higher for the 305/350 TPI's, right?

I mean if you're replacing a 305 with a 350, then to SOME level, you're wanting to upgrade. I mean bone stock rebuild at the machine shop would be the EASIEST and probably cheapest way to go. ....so do we agree that to some level you want "better" than what you have???

 

From the factory, the 305 TPI with the t5 was every bit as fast as the 350 with an auto. ...for cost and ease, Id just rebuild the 305. .....if you want more power (and don't we all) then you're gonna have to get it tuned, and you're gonna have to (realistically) replace the heads (on a factory L98/350). ...which is why I'm such a fan of the vortec TPI option. The fact that you can buy it as an assembled longblock, brand new from GM is awesome. And it's cheap. The only cost that' above and beyond is the vortec manifold, but it's still way cheaper than other fully built engines that you can buy. ...yes, you need tuning, but really unless it's a stock 305 or stock 350, you're going to need tuning.

 

For the price difference of the crate motors themselves, the L31 sounds/looks like the better engine.
But the vortec intake on Pace website is $535. I can't find it on SDPC.
And then there's that tuning thing...Whats the easiest/cheapest/best way to take care of that?

 

...soooo typically the SDPC base (made by edelbrock) sells for $399. That being said, I just looked......and can't find it either. Boo. ...I know that somewhere in the legalese of it all, eddy made it for them. maybe the license ran out? ....anyhow, that definitely sucks, BUT.....it's still less than $3000 for vortec longblock TPI. Losing ground I know, but I still say that's a heck of a deal. Even if ya sell the brand new vortec heads for a few hundred, and find a set of stock old L98/350 iron heads, the vortec block (now not "vortec" without heads) it's still a much better shortblock, set up for a roller cam, with a one piece RMS. Nodular crank as opposed to just plain cast too (although not really an issue for a stock L98) Just sayin.

Even with the MAF set up on the 89, I'm curious how the factory tune/spark advance tables would handle the vortec heads. It may work.....might not be ideal. They behave quite different. ....up to recently, you could find guys to tune these cars. Now it's getting tough. I just took the plunge into learning to do it myself. I know it's not for everyone. I agree, just going "stock" and not tuning is tempting. For a lot of us, keeping it stock isn't an option, so tuning, SOMEHOW....is a forgone conclusion. I admit I don't have an easy answer. For me it's a no brainer, but.....we all have our own priorities. I can appreciate that.

 

personally, I agree with everything you said IF this was my car. I have EFIlive, Tunercat, but nothing to tune this car in a reasonable time frame and get it out the door to its owner, which unfortunately will be hundreds of miles from me in the future.
I haven't been around here long enough to pick up everything I need to know.
Thanks for your opinion

 

Correct, the 350/290 is not a Roller block. Also, the compression ratio is closer to 7.8 to 1. My 350/260, I removed the heads to install Trick Flow Heads and did some measurements to verify compression ratio. Came up with 7.8 to 1. Found an old Chevy High performance article that confirmed that figure.

 

SDPC have the the Vortec base for $400 just give them a call. I just ordered one three days later it showed up at my house.