Hey everyone. Just thought I'd ask a question here, and I know its going to sound kind of dumb. What can I do w/the 305 in my '89 Caprice? I'm trying to decide what I would like to do to it in the months to come, and before I run off and buy a project vehicle, I would like to know a few options that I have with this. Some of the other stuff I'm asking is:

-How big can I make it? Can i get it bored to 327 c.i?

-Will it cost as much as buying a crate engine (350 or 383?)

-Would it be somewhat original? (trying to be a little different here)

Any input you guys can give me would be an extreme help. If there aren't any viable solutions, I'm looking into buying a late 2nd gen. or 3rd gen. Camaro/Firebird. Maybe even a Fox body Mustang. Thanks again!

How mechanicly/financialy inclined are you, and what do you expect from the car, when done?  

Why build a 305 when 350s are commonly found and take the same hop-up parts?  305 heads are one way to build compression cheaply on a 350.

Tom

To keep it cheap and put the loot into the soon to be purchased project car.  I would start with a cam swap a good set of headers extra ground straps a good air cleaner and a cid ignition box.  If you don't want to open up the bottom for the cam maybe step up your rocker arms at least on the intakes by one size,  Intake swaps are great to but just save the cash for the project vehicle put a bit of umph in the caprice and then upgrade more once you finish your project,  Sorry I don't have any experiance with fi vehicles but after you switch up to the headers etc I would have a pro hook up your computer to run with the modifications.  You probably won't be boring it out to 4" I am not sure how far you can take them but the stroke is the same as a 350.  The 307 shares a stroke with the 327.  I do belive if you want to invest in it there are some stout 335 stroker kits though but at that money level you would probably rather invest in more displacement.  But if you just stick to the basics like port matching there are a million articles, cam or rockers, ignition, headers and exuast, all or most of the parts will coplement a larger build later.  Good luck  

Hey, thanks for the tips. Just to touch on what the others have said:

I only expect to street the car, and just want a little more power than what is under the hood. I know that this thing wont win any drag races or nething like that, just kind of want something stout.

Also, I know that 350's are relatively cheap and plentiful, but i dont exactly have the know how to do a complete swap for my car. I'm willing to give it a go, but seeing as how it is the only car i own at the moment, I dont want to keep it off the road for too long, so I'm thinkin of sending it to a shop in town if I can find one, and seeing if they will build it/install it.

Which ever way I decide to do this though, it will be a learning experience for sure. If I wind up having to build my own engine, thats fine too, I've rebuilt 2 diesel engines already, so I'm pretty sure this shouldn't be too off base than those. Thanks again, and if anyone is from Grand Rapids, MI, please tell me of any good engine builders/machine shops you know of that do respectable work.

Much thanks again!

It's easier & probably cheaper to swap in a 350 than cam, headers etc. for the 305. I don't know for sure, but I think you'd probably be ok  with the stock computer. If you are capable of cam swap etc, you can definitley change engines.  

I you are uncomfortatble doing an engine swap on your only car, then you should try this... Have a exhaust shop add emissions complient headers, and exhaust. You, having some engine experience , could easily add a set of roller rockers and a aftermarket air cleaner. Then over the coarse of time read up on engines find one to rebuild (like a 350) and go to it as time and money allow. By then you  will be comfortable doing an engine swap over a weekend. The above mentioned mods are easy to start with, and can be added to the new engine.       

 JMO.....

Hello fellow Grand Rapidian -

I bought a 350 roller shortblock from AIS engines in Grand Rapids for $550.  They mostly deal with truck engines, but they also do 305/350s and Ford stuff too.
http://www.aisengine.com/

Throw on some Vortec heads, a good cam, vortec intake, and you can make some good hp with a 350.  I just completed a 305 to a Vortec 350 swap in my monte carlo.  Never did anything like it before - it took awhile to do - mostly because of my limited free-time, but it won't take much longer the second time around.

Planning to replace the smoking 267 with a 305 in my wife's Malibu in a few weeks.

If you want to stick with the 305 - if the current one you have is still running and you want a few extra ponies - then the best thing to do is - headers, exhaust, intake, carb, ignition.  A bit more extra work and you can throw in a cam with a bit more lift.  You won't end up with a powerhouse, but it will help to lug that B-body weight around.

go with a 350-383 swap most bang 4 the buck than all the upgrades 4your 305 , keep your heads thatll rais your comp on a 350 BLOCK

WHILE YOUR CHANGEING THE ENGINE  DO A CAM CHANGE ON THE 350

DONT GO TOO RADICAL IF STILL STOCK COMP .

REMEMBER MORE AIR IN GOTTA FLOW GOOD GOIN OUT

SO HEADERS IS A GOOD START GOOD FLOW

Thanks for the tip kstagger. I've been looking for a few places around town that sell something for a decent dollar, and it didn't even pop into my head to check w/AIS since they do mostly heavy stuff. Could you (or anyone else) reccomend a good set of headers that would work well w/either a 305 or 350, but don't cost a fortune? Michigan doesn't have smog tests, so anything is game pretty much (until Johnny Law finds it, that is). Thanks again!

I dealt with a guy named Brent over at AIS - went over their with my truck, checked out some engines, and loaded a roller 350 in the back.  Good group of guys over there.

It came with a cam that was not setup for a mechanical fuel pump, so I had to swap in a different cam.  Not sure if you are using FI or carbed with your caprice.

Check out Summit Racing for headers -

Flowtech and Hedman make some lower priced headers.  There is also the Summit brand if you are on a budget.  Most of the budget headers are just painted, and probably need some prep work before you intall them.  If not re-painted, they can rust easily.

Kevin

    Don't forget about the rest of the car when doing upgrades... Learn about cop cars and the direct bolt-on factory high performance goodies they could offer.. stuff like (boxy years..) 3.42 posi rear.. or a "bubble caprice" disc brake rear end.. (bolts in...but with 3.08 gears at best...), 12" front brakes, handling rated springs, sway bars (go for a 2nd gen. Z/28 bar up front..) Certifed speedo to replace the lame-o 85 mph unit... HD cooling radiator, oil cooler and factory-type gauges and the cool heavy duty cop rims with the bolt on center caps... . Boneyards would be your best bet here.. All these enhancements with a reasonably built 350 and you'd be set! Besides going like crazy, it has room for the buds/kids and an actual trunk you can get something in... Best of all it's not a camaro or mustang typical hot rod. Be different... different is good!  Have fun!  Mike (

    (My 91 caprice has been similarly upgraded and has provided years of trouble free "shenanigans" **LOL** The car is "invisible" to police... even with the flowmaster 2 chamber duals..    Even get a wave once in a while ..)

Stick it in a camaro and throw them both in a river

That's funny!

the best thing to do is buy you a 350, or 383, then put a brick on the accelerator pedal and crank it up, and wait for the fun!!!!

believe it or not, it probably wont blow, ive tried several times. but its good for a laugh anyways.