Thread: Need some help here.

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Ok, I have just recently found out that im going to be STUCK with my 87 chevrolet silverado. And since i've gotten stuck with it, i've decided to make it a fine tuned, great looking machine.

1) Having the wheel base shortened to provide for a SWB.
2) Painted candy apple red.
3) Cragar series rims with m/t tires.
4) Having interior done in crimson diamond tuck interior.
5) ENGINE
6) Make all the accessories work (reverse lights, air conditioner, new stereo system, ect.)

This list is in no particular order, just a list that needs to be done.

I just rebuilt my tranny last night and put it back in the truck. So thats a fresh piece. I guess you would call it an early version of the 4L60E. It's a 700R4 but 87 was the first year that they added electronics. Also they added TBI.

My question is, would i be better off performance wise to stay with the TBI or go back to carburation? Also, what is the maximum amount that i can bore the factory 305? After i have it bored out can i still use the factory TBI or will that have to change? I REALLY want more cubes but i would also like to stay injected if it'll make it perform better. How does the TBI respond to more cubes? Lemme know...

My opinion: I would ditch the 305 and buy a 350. Takes alot of time and money to build a 305 to respectable level for a truck that size. Economic wise a 350 seems for me the route to take. But with enough money and time, you can have the baddest 305 in town. If you are wanting more cubes, get the 350.

If the 305 runs good, leave it alone until the rest of the work is done, then do as S10streeter says and find a 350. Or a 400, if you really like cubes. It will require a new chip for the bigger engine.

i like the FI myself and you can buy a bigger chip and replace the inj. if needed. the idea behind the EFI and EI is getting the max. HP out of your motor and a cleaner burn. thats why you can drive a 13 sec. LT1 to the strip getting 22 MPG. on the down side you need to understand what you are driving so you can have some confidence in it. get yourself a book and learn something about the TB, when everything is right its pretty much maintance free. JMO

ok, in reference to s10streeter: I agree with you about ditching the 305. However, I've been approached with several options. I really dont want to go bigger than a 350. Now, one of the options that has been given to me is to build a hopped up 292 inline 6. Suposedly they are supposed to make a truck like mine haul balls. Ive been approached with building a stroker motor. A stroker motor would be nice but I've heard they eat gas like a mother. Another way I have been told i could really tear some tires up would be to drop a 350 with hydraulic cam and lifters. Get some MILD performance parts and roll like that.

In reference to R Pope, the 305 does RUN good, but my girlfriend's dad (my mechanic) and i think just from listening to it run that it needs a rebuild if im going to keep it like it is. About the cubes, i want bigger than the 305 but i would REALLY kinda like to stay under 350.

In reference to lt1s10, I like the fuel injection as well but i guess my question is, in going from a 305 to say a 350 would i have to buy new intake, injectors, ect? i know the 350 heads and the 305 heads probably don't use the same intake but i dont know what intake i'd use that wouldnt rape the bank. Any advice on this matter?

THANKS GUYS FOR ALL YOUR HELP, ANYMORE INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED DUE TO MY MECHANIC BEING AN OLD SCHOOL TYPE (meaning milage doesn't matter, he's worth about 1.2 mill. so money doesn't matter) WELL TO ME IT DOES! Lemme know what you guys think.

If you are sincere about building power the 700-R4 is a great stock tranny as long as it's not abused by 800 rwhp or sommething crazy like that. With that 700-R4 tranny there are several options to prolong the life one which I just did was a Corvette servo in place of the stocker on my 4x4 S10. The servo swap makes for quicker shifts and higher pressures which eliminate slippage and wear. Plus with a shift kit it sounds cool chirpin' second! -Just a tip from my little bit of experience!

If it were me, I would go with a 350. Run the 305 untill it runs no more, and have a 350 ready to drop in. If you have the TBI, then it should drop on. A new chip is needed but you would rechip it anyway. I just like the extra edge a 350 has to offer. Plenty in the boneyards awaiting an expert touch.
Waiting for the 305 to smoke, CC the heads, port match, find just the right parts. Make it perfect and ready to be fired up.

I already put the vette servo in it my experience told me that i needed to do that as well!

Any idea where i can get a bigger chip when i drop the 350 in? What about what you said about the heads? Are you saying to machine and port match the 305 heads and use them on the 350? HELP?!?!?! Thanks!