Anyone that trash talks the 305 doesn’t understand that not all 305 engines were created equal. GM actually produced 2 performance 305 versions, the L69 and LB9. The later version LB9 TPI that came with the manual 5-speed tranny got a more radical .430 cam and was factory rated at 230hp which was 5hp more than Ford’s 5.0 liter. The 305 when properly built makes for a great little well balance “square” engine, which means it has equal bore and stroke. It has a smaller bore compared to Ford’s 302 but it has a longer stroke than the 302. Back in 1989 Motorweek tested a brand new ‘89 low optioned Camaro 1LE stripper with the 230hp 5.0 liter 305 TPI and squeezed a 13.9 out of it.
I had L69 in my 1984 Pontiac trans am automatic It was rated at 190 hp. It ran strong for being all stock. It had the off set hood bulge with real cold air induction . It said “ 5 litre HO “ on the hood bulge. Pretty cool. This was back in 1985. I raced a friends 1985 Iroc Z28 with the TPI 305 automatic. We raced from a dig and a roll several times. I pulled him a car length every time. He was pissed. My car only had 8k on it and his was brand new. I think the TPI engine was rated at 215 hp in 1985. I did ok against the 84 and 85 Mustang GTs . Won some and lost some but all those races were very close. Yea that little L69 305 ran strong.
The L31 was actually much closer to the LT1 engine with it's similar casting Vortec heads, aside from optispark and reverse flow cooling. The LB9 was essentially the 245hp L98 with less bore and stroke.
@@nedaCFilmsFbody LT1 also had aluminum heads, more compression which bumped up the power to 275 then 285 in 1996/97. The 285 hp was from GM going to dual cats.
I always defend the 305. Not everything has to have 500hp. Even if someone has a 383 stroker, you could ask that guy “well why didn’t you get a 454?” and the 454 guy “why didn’t you get a 540?” Etc etc. There’s always gonna be someone faster than you, so just have fun. Looks like you’re doing exactly that sir 😎
I mean the gas mileage is trash got a old truck that doesn’t run no more aka project 😭😭😭 and the mileage when running was horrible worse than my dads 2010 11 2500 gas truck and it’s a 2500 more power 😂 and it got better gas mileage and it’s got like 250k miles and mine nr got 90k got it when it had 40k 😅
@@martaolvera5190fuel Mileage is trash in what? It would be trash with a 350 or anything else if it's not built, geared or tuned properly. Most people don't plan properly when building an engine. It can get a lot more detailed than just aftermarket heads, cam and pistons. To add insult to injury sbc's from 70's through 90's were built around emissions that they were still trying to figure out. A 5.3 is basically a modern version of a stroked 305 with a stroke length literally between a 350 and 400 sbc.
No one rips on people for building Ford 302s, but for some reason 305s are seen as dogs. For street, and even street/strip motors, a 305 is as good as a 302, the “small” bore doesn’t really start to make itself a problem until you’re into serious numbers.
@@pr3m3um93 Which part of “for street, and even street/strip” are you struggling to comprehend? I didn’t say anything about building either motor “as much as you can”. I even pointed out that the small bore becomes a problem when you’re into serious numbers. So you’re not disagreeing with me at all, you’re just misunderstanding what I wrote. And don’t forget that you’ll split the 302 block over 500hp.
I have a built "H" 305 (original motor) in my '86 GMC pickup ... From the bottom up : polished crank , matched rods , bored .060 over with flat tops for 9.75:1 , Elgin E-922-P cam (same specs as Summit 1103) , 3 angle valve job , Edelbrock Performer EPS port matched to the 416 heads . Got an Edelbrock 1405 on top and long tube headers . Bolted to a moderately built 700R4 with 3.42's and an Eaton style locker coming soon . With the stock 2.73's it will break the back end loose if I stomp it from a dead stop . I'm not sure how many ponies are under the hood now , but it's a whole lot more than the stock 160 with all the smog gear . I'm guessing somewhere around 250 or so but I don't know and really don't care . This is the kind of truck I lusted after when I was a teen in the 60's ...
I have an 86 IROC, 305 TPI , bored to 335 ci and zz409 roller cam, T56 6 speed and 4.10 gears. PLENTY fast! I am certainly of the 305 camp! Love your budget hot rod👍🏻
I had a 30 over 305 with roller cam and ported heads in a 89 Camaro was very dependable and ran purdy good. Everyone who road in it thought it was a 350. Now I have a cammed and heads 4.8 in my Silverado it runs good also
I put a 280 comp cam in an old 2 barrel 305. Bought a nice edelbrock performer rpm intake and it ran damn good, slow, but it ran damn good for what it was. I can't knock them, i had a blast with it. I spent money on bigger hooker super comp headers and 3 inch exhaust with dynomax race bullet mufflers, had a 2800 stall and 3.73 gears. Everyone thought i put a different engine in it, nope still a 305. I had friends with 5.0 mustangs that had beat me before scared to run me. After adding the gears, exhaust and comverter i did beat a few of them but not by much. I had a blast with that little 305. The lauch out of the hole was enough they could catch me but couldn't pass me. I had too much 305 powaaaa!!!
Got one in my 82 z-28 ran like a dog with cross fire, two about 1 an1/4 inch throttle bodies, they look that small anyway, put a stealth intake and a 500 cfm carter AFB on it and was really impressed, however the 200 trans hated it with a passion and promptly blew up, put a 700r4 in and was again impressed. Lower low gear and a higher high gear, with a 373 rear it was really impressive. Took the Throttle body intake, which is really a fantastic looking intake, I believe it is a Smokey Unick from the 70's, anyway I milled a intake cover and made it for a pair of 500 cfm Carters with the the blank one in front, dying to really try it. I've had those carters for the 2 x 4 barrels for nearly 35 years brand new. It looks fantastic.
My nephew had a 1988 Firebird Formula with the LB9 TPI 305, 5 speed stick... great running car. It scooted pretty good bone stock and he had plans on 4.10 gears, exhaust etc but he sold it for really good money
Isky 256 mega cam long tunes 600, decent dual plane it will be plenty of fun make good torque & pass smog If you got a lil gear or a 24-2500 converter the 264 works great also No reason anyone wont think you dont have a healthy 350
I LOVE IT!! I have an '87 Chevy R10, long-bed, regular cab, 2wd with a TBI 305 in it. I really want to build up the 305 for a mild mannered, streetable cruiser that has a little more omph and bark than the current anemic puppy in it. I'm not looking for a track monster, 1/4 mile time machine, or a neck-breaking tire burner. I just want it to scoot when needed and keep the truck as all original as possible at the same time. 325-350 HP would make me more than happy with it.
305 go for ever....good reliable motor....keep doing what you doing ...good information.....I cant believe some guys feelings hurt over this LMFAO😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@CarGuyV8 😂😅🤣🤣🤣😅😂just got real.. OMG... I am a car guy, I have Camaro ss, rx7, 1995 mustang gt..... love cars and bikes. I respect what people like you do. Had a 1984 camaro with 305, beat my roomates montecarlo ss all day and his 350😂😅🤣🤣🤣. 305 good motor... respect my brother😬😬😬🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🏼❤️
@@ramoncruz9910 That’s a true car guy. Liking it all! People gravitate towards a brand they’re familiar with and that’s fine. But fanboys annoy the shit out of me
@@thomaslemon3971 I agree brother I have a 210 camaro ss a 1995 mustang gt 1985 mazda rx7.....I am a car guy. Had a 1983 camaro with 305 5 speed trans, always left my roomate and his montecarlo ss 350 on the dust... never understood, but again I love cars and admire projects like the one you guys have. Keep the good work up and be bless. 🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️👍👍👍🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@pinkysgarage4517No need. Everyone knows you can get up to around 450 HP out of a 305. You just have to know what you're doing. Bore out the cylinders, lumpy cam, 800+ cfm 4 bbl carb, pro headers, short exhaust pipes, active ram air or a shaker hood, high test fuel, all electric accessories and a carb spacer.
My buddy has and 80 Camaro with a 305 in it with a cam and a 200 shot of nitrous on a tire. He pisses off a lot of people on the street lol. Cool build bud
Same here. I have a 88 box with a 305 with on 81k miles I’m going to enjoy this engine for the next 2-4 years while I save up for a LS engine with all the bells and whistle😎✊🏾
i have a 78 type LT with a 305 sbc. i have a mild cam, 4 barrel quadrajet, 4 plane intake manifold, and edelbrock air intake on it. havent really driven it since its had all that stuff on it cuz ive been away at school but cant wait to drive it this summer. its still got stock exhaust whihc is really suffocating it at the moment so at the very least i wanna replace the muffler with a flowmaster and maybe even remove the cat. (it aint passing DEQ anyway lol).
i like low budget builds, not the TV so called low budget builds with 6k for heads, i love it brother 305 was a good choice back in the day they was good runners had them in full sized trucks and the muscle cars they were good, and going back a few more years they had the 307 it was also a good little v8, 307 had about 50 hp on the 305, my dad had Oldsmobile with a 307 it was strong and would move going down the road
gawwww dammmmm thats sounds amazing im saving up about 4k to rebuild my 83 camaro with a 305 V8 also planning. Also painting, upgrading suspensions, handling. Basically as much as I can. what would you recommend?
I’m not as familiar with third gen setups but that all sounds like a good plan. I’d check the casting numbers on your heads and see what they are. 416s are the best heads that came in the 80s cars. If not find some Vortec 305 heads. They’ll bump the power up some.
I currently have a 1982 Z28 Camaro that’s getting a brand new 305 in it that’s being cammed and all that stuff and it’s not Nooo budget build so far it’s costs me $8,500 bucks it’s about $2,000 more than I wanted to spend but it’s getting the best of everything it needs
I have an '87 Monte Carlo SS I raced in NHRA Stock Eliminator. This is a "stock" L69 rated by Chevrolet at 180 hp. the NHRA corrected horsepower using the S/SS factor is 248 which is dead on wat I got on Carlisle Racings dyno. The '87 L69 used 081 centerbolt heads which are far better than the earlier 416 castings. With nothing more than a multi angle valve job (stock ports), reworked quadrajet carb, .060 bore with flat top pistons (11:1 static compression), and custom ground Crane solid liter cam (with stock lift .403 intake / .415 exhaust) my L69 is making 419 horsepower at 6400 rpm. The NHRA stock classes are bracket racing races and I cant even begin to list all the big blocks and small blocks Ive put on the trailer. My car runs a consistent 11.60s @ 118 mph with an almost stock 305. The only cars I lose to are the K Stock Mopars running 383s. Giving me a tree as a head start only results in my apponant going home because at half track Im already in 4th gear and once my converter is locked my mph keeps climbing. Those who say a 305 is a boat anchor I beg to differ and I have a whole lot of trophys to prove it.
@@CarGuyV8 it took years of racing and hours and hours on a flow bench to find 2 stock heads that outflowed the other 081 heads I was testing. I went through a pile of 14057053 stock aluminum intake manifolds and found one from a 1978 L82 Corvette that actually outflowed a Weiand Action Plus and Edelbrock Performer so I used that manifold. NHRA rules are the stock intake and carb / fuel injection must be used and the ports / combustion chamber CAN NOT be modified and the valve sizes CAN NOT be changed. The 081 centerbolt heads can easily flow 197 cfm @.400 lift if you machine the valve seat correctly and cut the back side of the intake valves. The cam is a custom ground Crane with 252 duration intake / 258 duration exhaust with a 4/7 swap. The 11:1 compression and the cam is where the horsepower is coming from, that and finding parts that are as close to perfect as I could find. Im using 29 x 9 slicks with a 4.88 gear and 4000 stall ATI lock up converter and wheelie bars to keep the front end on the ground. Its a consistent 11.60s car at night, 11.70s in the heat during the day.
Trust me if youre going to build a sbc amaller than a 327 283 is the way to go.. picked mine up with power packs complete with a saginaw 3 speed for $100
Nice.. go .30 over, flat top pistons, 485/495 lift Howard roller cam trick flow heads a good intake and a 750 holly. Then you will have a very nice 305. It'll shit and git.
I have a 92 camaro with 305 tbi I would like to put some good irons in it, which camshaft would you recommend? Do you like it better with TBI injection or 4-barrel carburetor? Give me your opinion and recommendations! Greetings from Venezuela.
I’ve had both a factory tbi truck, and a carb swapped tbi 305 truck. For drivability the factory tbi setup is pretty good. For fun/performance the carb is the better setup. If you want to go with a very mild cam like the popular 204/214 cam you could stick with tbi. If you want a cam like this 1785 you’ll have to get a carburetor. The 1785 has too much overlap to work on a tbi setup.
Geez that thing is tired. That blow by will give you an awesome 💫 headache in a half hour. 😂 Its almost a shame its a 106° lsa cam. As fat as that things running, it's just begging for a shot of giggle gas! Those rings will come back around then.
I'll be honest with ya, I've never had a slouchy 305. I've had carbureted, Gen. II late 90s vortecs, a TPI H.O. version in a Firebird, and even a dinky ol 'marine' 305 that's remanned and cammed-up (that I pulled out of a cabin cruiser boat for practically free and swapped it into my slammed and Cragar'd square body lol). I was actually surprised someone has actually took the time and spent the money to cam it and whatnot lol.. but I love it bc it runs like a raped ape! Anyways, I don't know why people put down 305s.. All the ones I've had have been nothing but great little screamin' demons. 🤷
@@ouulou6031 I wouldn’t say that fun is the right word if it’s stock form. Put some headers, better mufflers, intake, steeper gears, and I guarantee it’ll surprise you.
Main problem here is motor is running on 7 cylinders , u can clearly hear , get that 8th cylinder working full time and it will make a world of difference , might fix yur blow-by too ! blow-by is another sign yur missing on a hole ...
What else would I need with the cam? I have a 85 el camino with 305. I found a 1785 kit with matching lifters for 250 on summit. I want the same chop but sadly live in cali
@@JeLifeCoach an aftermarket intake could definitely improve torque and horsepower depending on the brand. Engine smoothness is mostly determined by the timing, carb setup, and camshaft size.
I kmow a guy who had a late you 60s chevy pick up with a 305 that had been mildly built that on a short run very few people who ever run him could beat him. Several people lost to him. But he would only bet on a short distance.
I think it is funny how 5.3s are considered kewl but 5.0s not. I have ran a Ramjet cam in mine (similar to your camspecs but better low end grunt) since 2002 and never upgraded to a 350 or 383 because it was plenty of power. The only difference is that I used 305 Vortec heads (doesn't have the 350 ports but still flows like LS or Fast Burn heads) along with a GMPP Vortec fual plane intake 700r4 and 373 Auburn. Plenty of power for the street. Yours actually looked kinda slower than I expected because your heads are still pretty good but like you said the tune is way off which is proba ly costing you 15% of your power especially off the launch.
Mine is also high mileage, and has that quadrajet 4 barrel intake on it. That didn’t help it any. It was quicker than I thought it would be but still nothing too crazy you know.
@@theeducatedredneck4144 I’ve got a nice built small block going back in it soon. I’m ready to get those 416 heads off the 305 and try to port those suckers.
Trolls yapping once again...the guy is playing with a cheapo beater. Just to show you dont have to make huge power to have fun with a car Never said it was some crazy fast pro stocker post up your 305 build before you talk smack from a keyboard.
