Thread: Getting more HP from a 307

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I have a 1948 Chevy Truck with a 307 from a 1987 firebird. It has a eddelbrock carb on it. What can I do short of replaceing the motor with a 350 to get more out of it? I need to know what is the most bang for the buck. DO I go with ignition? Carb? Cam? Someone please help! Thanks! K9

Headers, fresh air intake (IMO) first thing that comes to mind.
Does it have factory cam in it?
read this post (its not a about a Pontiac 307);
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t142952.html
or copy and paste ;
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t142952.html

Yes the motor has the factory cam in it. The guy that had it before me took off the FI and put this dang carb on it. When you say fresh air intake, what do you mean? It does not have headers yet. I do want to put them on it but was't sure what to start with. I am on a Honey budget. I have to say "please Honey" before I can spend any. The way the motor sits in this thing, headers are going to be a long swearing project to get to fit properly. I have a feeling I will have to go with the shoty's. The truck has the 307, and a 700r. Also has the stock rearend from the firebird. Thanks for teh help I need it. K9

Does it have a round filter on top with no plumbing to bring fresh air from the grill area or does it take in air from the engine compartment? some small (and cheap) gains can be had from cooler air vs. heated air.
The good thing about the headers is it may take alot of work, but not alot of $$$ unless your not doing the work then that might not be your best bet IMO.
A cam may not be too bad an idea just make sure you get one thats right for what you want out of your engine, ie 307CID mostly stock I would think you need more torque in the lower rpm range, like an RV type cam.
I was given a 307, and started to build it, but after alot of research I decieded to leave it alone (just to do me and keep that wonderful smallblock chevy sound) until I got a 350 to build and just put what I want in it as time and money alowed. for about the same price as a stock 307 rebuild, you can rebuild a 350 with mild performance upgrades and be miles ahead in the power/performance area.
without alot of money it is really hard to get alot of performance out of a 307.
hope this helps.
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Thats great advise. I was thinking the same thing as far as "outside componets" I can get teh headers and air intake now and some day transplant them to the 350 I want to build. You through me when you said fresh air. I was thinking about making a cold air box at the back of the hood / vent area. As it sits now I am sucking up the hot engine air. The motor is noce for cruiseing but it has no ass what so ever. I want to step on the gas at the light and get some fun out of it. I have a set of 305 heads 416# that I ran on my pure stock car and was thinking (if they will work) puting them on it.

Thats great advise. I was thinking the same thing as far as "outside componets" I can get teh headers and air intake now and some day transplant them to the 350 I want to build. You through me when you said fresh air. I was thinking about making a cold air box at the back of the hood / vent area. As it sits now I am sucking up the hot engine air. The motor is noce for cruiseing but it has no ass what so ever. I want to step on the gas at the light and get some fun out of it. I have a set of 305 heads 416# that I ran on my pure stock car and was thinking (if they will work) puting them on it. I will be doing the work myself. I owuldn't feel right haveing someone else playing with my toy. I am a wrench turner, I may not know what to do but I'm smart enough to get the correct info and then tackle the job.

if the engine came from a 87 F-bird...it wouldnt be a 307...unless someone put the 307 in the 87 F-bird. it would be a 305 or 350

Very good stepside. the 307 was an oldsmobile motor from the late 70s through the 80s. As for the firebird, the only 5.0L motor available in 1987 was the 305 in the EFI incarnation and also the 4Barrel. In order to assure this is an oldsmobile motor, look to the distributor. If it is driven off the back but does go through the intake manifold, it is a chevy motor. If it is on the back but does not go through the intake manifold, it is an oldsmobile motor. As for putting Chevrolet heads on an oldsmobile block, forget about it. Due to a different cooling design, intake matching and bolt pattern, it wouldnt match up. If you find it to be a 307 for sure, I have plently of tips for you, having built a few SBOs myself

Very Funny Streets. Small Block Oldsmobile. In case you hadnt noticed, Oldsmobile is a bit of a long word. SBO sums it up quite Nicely

DRG84....could also be a 307 Chevy....from late 60s early 70s

i bought a 86 chevt truck and it has a 73, 307 engine in it. it has all the 305 parts on it. the ptoblem i am haveing is that i can not get the timing correct. i know that the ballancer is wrong and in my book the timing light should be hooked up to the number 8 cylinder instaed of the number 1. and it supost to have a 32degree advance cam in it. my question is does anybody know what i can do to time it my self. i dont have a whole lot of money to buy a new ballancer at this moment. thanks for any help