1985 305 with 700r4 200-250 hp?

[timjt]

How much would it take to get my 305 engine up to 200-300 hp? Very limited budget but could use some more power for hauling/mud on the farm. Everything is stock currently

[ARTISTIC]

Its been a very long time since I touched a 305 but when I did my research it would have cost more to get the power out of the 305 with aftermarket parts than a bare bones rebuild on a 350 (done myself). If your situation was like mine I was more interested in the TQ and it just isnt there in the 305 without heads, cam and intake.
What I wound up doing was going with my stock 305 (after replacing the flat cam) and adding a set of small chamber heads. Didnt net much but was worth the couple hundred I paid. Good used 350 parts for the most part will fit the 305 but check valve clearances.
I then ditched the 305 for a stock 350.

[Clyde65]

If your going to just build a SBC, then I would go LSx. A 5.3 with all accesories and getting brackets/mounts and 87 FI tanks would be around 2500 or so.

[timjt]

thanks!

[VDOG]

I have a 91 305 that smokes the tires and runs great. I had a slightly built 283 in there, with carb, headers, intake and a Isky Megacam that did not pull anywhere near the 305. My advice, do what you want, and if you can afford it, and really want it, go with a RV cam, vortec iron heads ( keep the cost down) vortec intake and a new carb. the best thing about those items, you can install them on a 350 block later on if you wish.

[timjt]

Cool, thanks

[Fullpower]

The only question I have concerning a 305" chevy is "WHY did Chevy build one?"

[timjt]

you gotta ask somebody else that! I got a conspiracy theory that they did it so that they could charge outrageous prices for all 454> upgrades and motors years down the line. lol

[VDOG]

Well if your going to ask why they built the 305, make sure your add the 307 which came stock in my 69 C-10. Cause that was a joke.

[78bronzechariot]

Originally Posted by Fullpower

The only question I have concerning a 305" chevy is "WHY did Chevy build one?"

Originally Posted by VDOG

Well if your going to ask why they built the 305, make sure your add the 307 which came stock in my 69 C-10. Cause that was a joke.

I don't understand the constant bashing a 305 gets. The theory of "There's no replacement for Displacement" is true (I have a '72 Buick Riviera with a 455 ). However, there are numerous reasons that different size engines have and will continue to be manufactured, and those are the same reasons that someone will choose to build a smaller motor. Price, fuel economy, driveability, and intended use all play a factor here.

I have owned a '77 caprice with a 305, by no means a corvette, but it kept up with traffic just fine, and could do well over 100 mph (faster than the car was safe to drive) I have a friend with a '94 305 2wd longbed, and it has more than enough power to haul what the truck is rated for.

Building the engine for the intended use is where most people go wrong. Back when I worked as a professional mechanic, my shop was hired to put a fuel injected 302 in a '72 Bronco (sorry for the Ford story). Anyway, sounds like a great idea right? Wrong. The engine was built with a high lift and duration cam, GT40 heads and longtube tuned headers, and was originally intended to go into a Mustang. The thing had no low end torque and wouldn't hardly accelerate.

Anyway, off the soapbox here... I think that some of the above recommendations are sound. For what you described you need a low end torque motor, so put Vortec style heads on it, a good intake and a "rv" cam, and an appropriately sized dual exhaust (2-2 1/4") will do just fine and make a good "pickup truck" engine.

[timjt]

Sounds good, thanks for the lesson! Always better to learn from someone elses mistakes and experience.

[VDOG]

Originally Posted by 78bronzechariot

I think that some of the above recommendations are sound. For what you described you need a low end torque motor, so put Vortec style heads on it, a good intake and a "rv" cam, and an appropriately sized dual exhaust (2-2 1/4") will do just fine and make a good "pickup truck" engine.

See my ideas always work sometimes.