305 build help needed

[77crewcab]

First off this is for a car <Nova) to be a daily driver and cruiser not a power house but a tight budget build ($500 max).
305 engine 700 trans 3.73 rear end
My first thought is to just drop in the engine and trans and run it or I could put on an Edelbrock Performer and Performer cam with Q-jet and a possible rebuild/shift kit in the trans. The engine/trans is from an 86 Burb and I am just wanting something to be a reliable cruiser for daily driving that wont kill me on mileage yet wont be a total dog either.

So what would you do? BTW I am going with the 305/700 cause I got free for the Nova with no engine/trans and I am just trying to have a decent powertrain while I work on the bodywork, suspension and interior over the next couple years.

 

[bigred81]

For starters I would put a good set of flat top pistons and a decent cam this should help your motor out alot it would be like the early HO305 in the monte carlos.

bigred81

 

[dyeager535]

I'd leave it alone if it works.

Changing stuff on a working motor can only lead to potential problems. If you want reliability, economy, and power, leave it the way the factory had it. Yes, you can improve over factory, but again, do you want to open that can of worms for a 305? I think not.

 

[77crewcab]

Well I plan to eventually run a 350, 383, or 400 so no I really don't want to mess with the 305. But on the other hand I don't know how long it would be before I can upgrade to another engine. I figure at least things like intake, and heads if it went that far could be transfered over to the new engine when that time comes and it would help the 305 while I have it. Keep em coming I would like to hear more opinions.

 

[3 on the tree]

Good dual plane intake. Small tube headers. Small 4 barrel carb. If you go to a better set of heads, you will probably lose compression. Run the HEI distributor with a curve kit, and call it good. Maybe run a little higher stall convertor to boost off the line.

 

[dyeager535]

Well I plan to eventually run a 350, 383, or 400 so no I really don't want to mess with the 305. But on the other hand I don't know how long it would be before I can upgrade to another engine.

Then look at it this way: spend money on the 305 now, it will only take that much longer, and cost that much more to get a better engine in place.

 

[80' 427]

I have had some good running 305s in a few different vehicle but they were always the temperary motor even if that was 5 years or so. Spend money only on what you can use on your next motor. Headers, Intake, Carb will all fit the 350-383-400 you are going to build. I would limit it to those and spend the rest on the next motor. It may just suprise you how well it runs with a 3.73 gear. I would also include the use of a 95 s-10 converter to help you leave the line. It will stall about 2000 but still lock up.

 

[Chevy305]

So the best budget power builders for a 305 would be:

headers
intake
carb
cam


HEADERS: any brand that fits your application as a set of headers will fit any small block

Intake: I highly recomend a Weiand Action+ or Stealth manifold
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=WND%2D8016&N=700+4294925239+4294839079+4294822065+400053+4294908216+4294840138+115&autoview=sku

Carb: I have a Holley 4160 600 cfm, and tuned correctly, it is an excelent carb and it about the best carb for it for not a lot of $$
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_10001_10002_12631_-1_10271

Cam: My favorite has always been Lunati Voodoo cams. A 268* might be just right for your set up.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_10001_10002_27023_-1_10707


Or how about a kit: http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/categoryitem_10001_10002_28303_-1_69631

 

[pauly383]

With those gears , and just simple external bolt ons like a new carb and intake , you can smoke the tires in a light Nova WITHOUT opening up the motor .

I have been living with my 305 in my heavy a$$ blazer for 5 years because it runs so good , and is ultra reliable . I did open the top and change the heads at 88,000 miles , and that was 5 years ago . Mine is the 9.2:1 compression 305 . I can't light them up , but I get good mileage and enough wheeling torque to break stuff

 

[onetonbb74]

i would leave it alone if it runs. The most id do to it is keep it from leaking and maybe paint it and thats it. Freeze plugs for sure before you bolt it in. My roomate has a 66 chevelle hes doing the same thing to it so we put a (runner) 1968 307 in it, changed the oil pan to fit and re sealed it, put a carb from a friend on it 600 edelbrock, cheap craigslist headers, timing chain set because the single roller from 1968 had visable slack and wear and while we were at it we changed the freeze plugs and bolted it in. I thing the motor was 200 and 150 for parts and a weekend of time. Good luck.

 

[84blazend]

I have a factory 305 in my 84 blazer, and its really not bad at all.

My buddy bought a wrecked 85 chevy with a 305 in it. We pulled the engine and junked the rest. We put an edelbrock intake and carb on it, followed by a Speed Pro cam, then headers. We then bolted the 305 up to an sm465 and put it into a 64 C10.

The truck hauled ass and would smoke the tires like nothing.

 

[beater_k20]

that's when they actually put gears in trucks.

 

[77crewcab]

I think what I may do is install a Summit intake,headers, 2.5 duals with crossover, gasket kit, and freeze plugs and rebuilt Q-jet and see how it runs. If I want a little more power afterwards maybe I will look into getting a cam for it as well. I will probably run this motor for a few years which is why I am willing to put some money into it, but just don't want to go all out. Eventually I will probably look at a 350 or 383 but that is way down the line. Thanks for all the input.

 

[SkulzNBonz]

Mine is rebuilt (by previous owner) .030 over. I put on an Edelbrock Performer intake, ACCEL Super HEI, a rebuilt Quadrajet, and some 2 1/4" duals. Runs good, and has broke 3 ten bolt rears. I could use a higher stall convertor though.

John