Thread: 305 Perfomer HELP!

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I'm rebuilding my 305 to key it matching numbers for my 79 Camaro.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with this engine and can give me suggestions. It's going to be a weekend car/occasional strip car.

I'm looking to spend around 2-3k on the engine.

I'm trying to find some good heads for it. I need help.
My understanding of engines is very limited I have 2 mechanics willing to help me put the engine together, but they told me to educate myself first. Put together a list of parts, and they will go over it with me.

I don't even know where to start really.
This is what I have.

58cc Heads Higher is better right? Could I go with a higher head?
Cam with Max lift 460 Duration around 260( I hear it wont build good compression with anything higher.)
1.25 inch springs.

If someone could give me a quick walkthrough on where I should start.

How much would it cost to bore it out, and should I?
Port and Polish ?

I'm just trying to get a grasp on it all.

Thanks all.

http://streetmachinesoftablerock.com...opic.php?t=435

um.. someone correct me if im wrong here but its no longer numbers matching if you put aftermarket parts in it? Im asking a question not only for my benefit but for Slytin's benefit too.

Thanks for the links PERFECT!

After doing some reading I'm still lost when it comes to heads. Seems very few people change out the heads, but heads seem to be the most important for getting the hp up. Does anyone have suggestions for heads then?

I was thinking
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...8&autoview=sku

http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/modthel03.html This will get u a good understanding ,read down the page it has a few different builds,and its all 305 stuff!!

bore it if it needs it...it probably needs it. Boring an engine is more for reconditioning than making power.
as far as the heads go, 305 heads are usually 58cc combustion chambers. larger chambers will drop compression. World Products makes a S/R305 head that has the small combustion chambers for a 305, but they have larger valves & the ports move more air.
Another good head is the Vortec head, but remember, the vortec head uses a differant intake, valve covers & self aligning rockers.
Bigger isnt better, & this is espesially true with small bore engines like a 305. stay conservative on the camshaft & carburation, as well as compression.
The last 305 I built , I used KB143 pistons,L-98 Corvette aluminum heads, a little Comp cams XE256 hyd. cam, a Performer intake, 570 Holley, 1 5/8" headers. it ran 13.70s in my 86 Caballaro with 3.08 gears.
You would be better off dollar for dollar putting the 305 off to the side & building a larger engine...350 for example. However, a 305 can make decent #s as long as you remember your building a 305, not a 350, so stay conservative. John

The cam you used is actually higher then I was looking at. I think this is yours atleast.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...4&autoview=sku

This is what I was looking at.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...4&autoview=sku

I'm not sure why there is a huge price difference between the cams though.

I debated on the 305 to 350. I was looking at spending around 3-5k on the engine. My friend told me that we could make the 305 pretty awesome for around 2k. I kinda like the fact that its a 305 rather then a 350. I don't mind spending a little more cash either.
I think I may supercharge the 305, and I heard they are great for that. My friend rebuilt a 289 that came in his Comet, and manage to get over 400 hp out of it. I'm curious as what we could do with a 305.

the combo I listed was realistically in the 315 HP range.

Whoa. there are a lot of people on here so get lots of opinions and here is mine. If you get aftermarket heads then you are not staying with a numbers matching car and engine! If your willing to change the heads then there is no point in using that 305. My suggestion is to save yourself a lot of work, aggravations and $$$. Buy a crate engine, it has a warranty. With 35K you can get a great fun engine for your car. Put the 305 in the garage. as you learn if you so choose to you can buld that motor later back to completely stock if your keeping the car original for classic purposes. If you want the experience of building and engine then go buy a used core 350 from a yard, and build a nice 383 stroked motor that all torque so that you couldnt wipe the smile off your face. To build a 305 and keep it all orignal I understand. A 305 all stock in your car is not fun to drive considering ever 4 cylinder rice burner is gonna beat you up on the street. To build a 305 for performance makles it not original and as most on here would agree a 350 or 400 small block is a much better beginning platform. JMO. Whatever you do dont rush into anything; read and listen to experienced people as much as you can; most guys building their first motors end up with costly mistakes, and motors they are not happy with. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Thanks for the input. I dont mind changing the 305 after putting some thought into it.
I looked around for 350 core found them for about 100 bucks.
Not sure how much it would cost for me to build a engine from a core in comparisson to the 305. I was looking at 3 grand on a 305, and it would be getting close to around 400hp, and little less torque.