Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific Mouse & Rat Motor Discussion & Conversions

possible to make a 305 fast?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 08:12 PM
  #1  
94lt1m6's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, Missouri
Default possible to make a 305 fast?

I just got an 83 TA with a brand new 305. I put it in myself , and we all know that the 80' TA's with 305's put out about the same HP as a new 4cyl civic. I am going to build this **** out of it, but is 305ci just to little to get lots of power, or not a problem. Im lookin to get like min 500-600 hp.

Also im wanting to make it a really high reving motor, so can anyone link me to a cam that has like a at least an 8k redline?
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 08:39 PM
  #2  
LilSlo1's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Plainfield, Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by 94lt1m6
I just got an 83 TA with a brand new 305. I put it in myself , and we all know that the 80' TA's with 305's put out about the same HP as a new 4cyl civic. I am going to build this **** out of it, but is 305ci just to little to get lots of power, or not a problem. Im lookin to get like min 500-600 hp.

Also im wanting to make it a really high reving motor, so can anyone link me to a cam that has like a at least an 8k redline?
350 blocks are still a dime a dozen. I suggest getting one if you can. although it is possible to make a 305 run good. The only draw backs are less cubes, and you are kinda restricted on valve size.

The first motor I modified was the stock TBI 305 in my 1992 Camaro. I got my hands on a older set of 305 heads (perimeter valve cover bolts), and I believe they had a slightly smaller chamber than the heads on my 305 TBi motor. Most likely the same thing you have on your 83. Anyways did a half *** port job to the heads in my garage, port matched the intake and exhaust ports to the gaskets I was going to use, smoothed out the bowls and chambers, stuffed a 1.94 intake valve in the head, and unshrouded the intake valve. Comp Cams 236/236 @ .050 .454/.454 llift hydraulic cam (biggest cam I could get that still required the stock diameter valve springs).
Weiand single plane X-celerator intake, Holley 650 double pumper. Proform 1.6 roller rockers. All of this on top of a 130,000 mile tired out stock 305.
4.10 Gear, 5 speed manual trans 3400 lb car went 13.0's on motor and 11.89 on a 150 shot.

You can put a stroker crank in a 305 block and make a 337 I believe.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 08:50 PM
  #3  
94lt1m6's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, Missouri
Default

damn sounds like you put alot of work into it. So im pretty much stuck in the perameters of there's no replacement for displacement phrase....isnt every small block the same, the only dif is the bore and stroke? so could i stroke the **** out of it, and bore it paper thin, and make a 406 or a 427?
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 09:36 PM
  #4  
whytryz28's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,757
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
Default

Originally Posted by 94lt1m6
damn sounds like you put alot of work into it. So im pretty much stuck in the perameters of there's no replacement for displacement phrase....isnt every small block the same, the only dif is the bore and stroke? so could i stroke the **** out of it, and bore it paper thin, and make a 406 or a 427?

All small blocks are not created equally, the 305 block is not the same as a 350 block. You cant bore a 305 to much or you'll run right into the water passages, and your walls would be to thin for some real power.

Im not sure what magazine did it but they got around 425hp out of a stock 305 with a holley top end kit. Just go that route if you cant dish out some cash for a used 350 block. Or grab a 400 block and you can see sizes around 455 with sleeves.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 09:39 PM
  #5  
NJSPDER's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 0
From: Ewing, NJ
Default

it is like any other small block, a good cam/head/intake combo and you have it made. which 305 is it? LG4 or L69? the L69 has better heads and a little better cam stock, but if you are planning a build up that isn't very significant.
the biggest draw back to the stock 3rd gen and replacement 305's is that the cams are total jokes, many aren't even .400 lift at the valve. look into a performer/street dominator intake and a good cam that revs to around 5500, comp extreme energy or lunati voodoo cams are recomended since they have modern ramp designs that help build cyl pressure and allow you to avoid spending a bunch of cash and effort doing a head swap.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 12:40 AM
  #6  
91Z28's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: Midland
Default

Turbocharger(s).
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 01:20 AM
  #7  
ulakovic22's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
Likes: 1
From: Lantana, TX
Default

Originally Posted by 91Z28
Turbocharger(s).
H/C/I and then slap a single or twin turbo setup on it. You can spin it to the moon and make some really good power.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 08:01 AM
  #8  
JAY ROD's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: ontario CANADA
Default

have you thought of selling the 305 since it is still good and trying to buy something like a 350/400 and starting from there?305 engines aren't really a good starting point.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 08:21 AM
  #9  
fast's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: Champaign, IL
Default

unless you have no choice but to keep the 305 you shouldn't keep it
the small bore limits power
if you want to build something that is fun to drive and gets good mileage then it's not a terrible choice

note that Chevy High Performance magazine is doing an '84 Z28 atm, they did heads/cam/edelbrock headers and got around 200 rwhp (not bad for a 305 and CA emissions)

conventional wisdom would say 350 or bigger (383s are relatively cheap now)
big blocks fit in 3rd gens nicely too
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 10:57 AM
  #10  
94lt1m6's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, Missouri
Default

Id love to get a 400 or bigger block, the only reason I would hessitate to getting rid of the 305 is that i put it in about 3 years ago, and only has a max of 50 miles on it to this date. Im not sure which engine it is, i got it from oreily's if id have to bet id say the LG4. I would love to put a big block in it, but arent they pretty expensive to modify? Turbos are a good idea. Does anyone think i could get my money back out of the engine if i decide to swap for a bigger block? It cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,200 for the engine, and new parts.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 11:00 AM
  #11  
68maro's Avatar
7 Second Club / STF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 873
Likes: 0
Default

yeah but for 1300 you could get a 300hp gm 350.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 05:25 PM
  #12  
94lt1m6's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, Missouri
Default

Where did you get that price at
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 10:45 PM
  #13  
68maro's Avatar
7 Second Club / STF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 873
Likes: 0
Default

check pace performance
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 11:43 PM
  #14  
CamaroKidZ28's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 362
Likes: 2
Default

imo, sell the 305 and put a 350 in it.. if im correct, youll be able to hit that 8k rpms you want a lot easier in a small block than a big block without damaging the block.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2007 | 02:50 AM
  #15  
Black FormulaLs1's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,089
Likes: 1
From: cape vincent NY
Default

you might want to check out www.GAFBA.com there is a member there who has done LOADS with a 305..getting it to run 12.0's all motor i beleive although i dont know his rpm's or what all was done to it..but it is Definately worth a look!!!
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2007 | 06:22 PM
  #16  
94lt1m6's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
From: Joplin, Missouri
Default

ok ill check it out. My gf's parents have an old caddy with i think a 472 BB in it. Could i rip that sucker out and build it? Someone told me that those caddy engines are **** to build and probly wouldnt even fit in my car is that true, or BS?
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 09:27 AM
  #17  
LilSlo1's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Plainfield, Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by 94lt1m6
damn sounds like you put alot of work into it. So im pretty much stuck in the perameters of there's no replacement for displacement phrase....isnt every small block the same, the only dif is the bore and stroke? so could i stroke the **** out of it, and bore it paper thin, and make a 406 or a 427?
Safely you could bore it .060, but you still may have some cooling issues. But honestly what will that get you a 310 cube motor ? or a 347 if it has an arm in it.

As for selling the 305, good luck, I can't even give away the 2 I have. Nobody wants a 305 unless they are doing a stock engine swap.

If you really want to use your old 305, I'd put a stoker crank in it and bore it .060 over. Try to get 11 to 1 compression out if it unless its a track only car then go higher. Dart makes a nice Iron head that has a 49 cc chamber with 1.94/1.5 valves, this should help you get the 11 to 1 compression with flat top pistons, and make the engine a little more efficent with the smaller chamber. Put a roller cam in it, single plane intake and a 650 cfm carb on that you should have 325-375 horsepower for probably $ 2,000 if you do it yourself with exception of the machine work and block clearencing.

I'd personally get a 350 block and build that.

If you're interested and live close to me I have a used 350 short block for sale. It had a rod knock so it needs to get rebuilt. $ 150

Last edited by LilSlo1; Jul 16, 2007 at 09:42 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 12:50 PM
  #18  
JUICED96Z's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 1
From: Indy
Default

If people can get a four banger into the single digets you can make a 305 fast. Anything can be done with the right amount of $$$
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 01:02 PM
  #19  
1bdbrd's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 53
Default

Originally Posted by JUICED96Z
If people can get a four banger into the single digets you can make a 305 fast. Anything can be done with the right amount of $$$
Im willing to bet that its easier to get the 4 cylinder into the single digits than it is a 305. The biggest problem with the 305 is that its a long stroke small bore engine which limits the valve size and total airflow. Its wise just to sell it for what you can and get a 350.
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 01:34 PM
  #20  
LilSlo1's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Plainfield, Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by JUICED96Z
If people can get a four banger into the single digets you can make a 305 fast. Anything can be done with the right amount of $$$
That was kinda my point.

Originally Posted by 1bdbrd
Im willing to bet that its easier to get the 4 cylinder into the single digits than it is a 305.
I highly doubt that.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:02 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE