al_44

I was curious what everyone thought would be the best single or maybe couple upgrades under 1000$ for my 305 TBI. Also whether i would be able to install it as i do have some experience. Thanks

onfir3

I know you don't wanna hear it, but a 350 swap. It can be done for about that if you are really lucky, and you can do the switch yourself. It'd be fun, too.

al_44

Ya im really thinking not to swap especially with soaring gas prices. any other ideas anyone?

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

Headers and Full exhaust
LT4 or ZZ4 cam
EBL
Moates Burn 1

al_44

Wheres a good place to get exhaust, and what type would be the best?

bitchin85camaro

roller cam, and head work

r0nin89

Definatly exhaust on a stock TBI car... I just did it came to $700 total with all the nickle and dime ****.

As far as the 350 and "soaring gas prices" gas just came down almost 40 cents here so idk what ur talking about...

firebirdjosh

iTrader: (1)

Yeah seriously. Its supposed to hit $2.50 around November *supposedly*. By the way, 305s and 350s get basically the same gas mileage.

al_44

Gas is still pretty expensive up here in northern alberta

camaronewbie

I guess that depends on the 350 - my 305 TBI gets almost 25mpg highway with it's mods, my 350 carb gets only 17mpg on a good day. But I ride a recently acquired Yamaha 650 to work as often as possible, so I can save gas money and stick my foot in the 350 when I drive it!

I did alot to my 1990 305 TBI for very little return. I put the same amount into a 350 carb swap for my 1992 - and I can honestly say I agree - there's no replacement for displacement! The return on the 350 carb was priceless in comparison.

Casey Butt

Unless you plan on spending money on the 350 as well, or have a really good eye for higher potential engines, I wouldn't swap in the 350. I've seen some pretty lame late '70s/early '80s 350s sitting in some decent looking 3rd gens. 99% of those 350s came from the factory making 160-200 hp, and that was 20-30 years ago. If you plan on further future mods then it's nice to have the extra cubic inches, but swapping a 350 merely for the sake of having a 350 rarely produces a car that can out-perform your average modern import. I'm all for the 350 -- in fact, my first rebuild, when I was still in high-school, was a 350 -- but most of the factory offerings, as-is, are somewhat doggish.

In addition, you have to consider that any engine swap you do will still require a new exhaust to make any power. No small-block is going to make much more than 200 hp having to breathe through the stock L03 very restrictive exhaust manifolds and pipes.

$1000 worth of wisely chosen mods on a 305 will probably out-perform any 350 you're going to pick up and install for that price. For $1000 I'd get some programming gear for the ECM as well. You could make 275 hp if you choose your parts correctly -- LT1 cam and springs, non-coated headers, 3" exhaust. In addition to that, you can do the Ultimate TBI mods and make an adjustable fuel pressure regulator for next-to-nothing. You might get 275 hp with that setup. Port your own heads (and intake manifold) and you could do a little better than that (a lot better if you have non-swirl heads from a carbed or TPI car).

89pontiac400

iTrader: (1)

flowmaster cat-back from summit racing or jegs

you can do it yourself or If you know a good shop it should not cost alot to get it installed I put mine in it took half a day and I could tell a difference afterwards

z28monster

iTrader: (1)

the junk yards around here will sell me a complete running LTI with all wiring for about that price so yeah id have to agree id shop around for a 350...

firstfirebird

iTrader: (3)

could you use longer rocker arms? would be easier than cam swap. i agree with the exhaust idea, also look at intake kits

firstfirebird

iTrader: (3)

p.s. here in south florida gas is $3.17 for super unleaded!

al_44

1.13 a litre here in northern alberta

BadAzzGTA89

I say cam injectors adj fuel regulator and exhaust!

sgt0704

if you can find an lt1 or an ls1 for that price. i'd do that over building the
305. i thought the same way you do, until my buddy got a '88 350 from the boneyard for $500 bucks built. and after driving my 98Z, i don't know how i went with out a 350. don't get me wrong, i loved my 305 RS tbi. but i wouldn't go back to a 305. and by the time you're done "modding" your 305, your MPG will go down anyway.


however, i found the most gains by hacking off the cat, and doing a full exhaust. i had shorty headers with 3" flowmasters. and no cat. also, replace the egr valve if it's still original.

sgt0704

however, i found the most gains by hacking off the cat, and doing a full exhaust. i had shorty headers with 3" flowmasters. and no cat. also, replace the egr valve if it's still original.

WhiteKnight

Too bad gas is still expensive in Alberta considering all the oil sands you guys have up there. Its 1.03 here in Vancouver right now.

Iroc_man

just go with a 350 swap, you will definately be more happy!

zz4monte

Headers, exhaust, intake.Spray would be number one.75-100 shot would be fine if the motor was in good condition.

Tobias05

headers, cheap 3" cat-back, tune up.

...saves room for a better converter!

IIRC hughes has a 2500 RPM stall w/ lockup for around 250 bucks in summit.

neagan

iTrader: (7)

After playing around with my 88 IROC all year, I'd say that your best investment by far, either 305 or 350 is getting a custom PROM done (PCMforLess); that's a hands down winner.

The other thing that would have been helpful is for us to know what your driving style/intent is: dragstrip/street or street/autocross or daily driver/freeway flyer.

As long as your intent is not 24mpg at 70mph, the 2nd best mod is not the engine, but dropping down to a highly responsive rear end gear.

If this is a daily driver and fuel mileage is a concern, than I can see why one would stick with the 305. I'm no longer in need of fuel savings with my Camaro, and am building it with autocross potential as my focus; this means I need that 350 low end grunt to dig out of sweeping corners.

Those that mentioned going to a 350 for the price are absolutely right about it being budgetable; there's a constant stream of built 350's out there for cheap. There's also a ton of rebuilt 700r4 tranny's for around $400 with little to no mileage on them. Depending on you're having an automatic drivetrain, a good rebuilt unit with the larger govenor and shift kit will feel like you've added 20-30 horsepower: it's a night and day difference.

2nd to the PROM though for ease of install is most definitely the free flowing exhuast.

To bad you didn't give more specific info when the post was fresh...
Nitro

rik89gta

Yeah He'll be real happy Do You actually read the posts? He said under 1,000 and he doesn't want to lose gas mileage. That would eliminate the option of getting a 350...


Nitrous...... Most bang for the buck! $500 bucks for 125 horses. That leaves You with 500 for exhaust and some sticky tires.

Screamin86

iTrader: (1)

gas here has gotten down to $2.30's around here. yea but id say full exhaust tune up ie: plugs,wires,filters,fluids then cam/intake and computer tune

Poject '86

A K&N Cold Air intake is cheap, and easy. It's washable, and you get better gas mileage too

matt_p

Best under $1000. A good cam and headers should be under $1000. Those two will be something you'll feel

ezliving4ume

iTrader: (1)

how's about, ignition, underdrive pulleys and nitrous and still have enough for some exhaust work.

rjpbboi

I havn't been to Canada, but I do know that the gas there is a hell of a lot more than it is here...

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

hell i seen complete L98s for 1000 bucks and they get abit over 22 mpg highway. atleast mine does...i get 24 or so.

even an LT1 can be had for 1000-1500.


else just do some bolt ons, full exhaust/tbi manifold maybe? cam? that shoud work

freestylzz

NAWZ.

cooltc2004

iTrader: (4)

God I love living in the Northeast, just hit $2.10 a gallon here.

Anyways, Definitally do a full exhaust, that would be #1 on my list.

1991CamaroRslow

iTrader: (3)

Headers and 3in exhaust, open element and a nitrous kit. You will get better gas milleage right there and have the potential to run a mid 13, high 12 if you're ballsy Nitrous will totally any other performance mod and won't touch your gas milleage. If you have the money left over get a vette servo and shift kit for your trans, that'll make the cars alot more fun to drive.

BobbyRod

OK here it goes...
VENEZUELA, my country, a driving paradise! Just 14.38 ct$ a Gallon!
What do you think? I can do any experiment with my car and even daily driving...

Best thing to do:
Headers
Open Element High Flow
Catback
Magnaflow

B-Rod.

freestylzz

Ahhhhh, Paradise........

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

hmm how do we get venezuela gas to pittsburgh? whats the shippin rate on about 100 gallons?

TA

iTrader: (1)

You are getting Venezuelan gas in Pittsburg, it's just a few people taking their share of the pie on the way to you. Citgo is owned by Venezuela. This is a political topic, so I'll just say that you guys (and girls) should read up on this subject.

White_Roc412

[hey im a new guy to the site, but my bro is a regular. anyways about that swap i think its bad cause im putting a 400 small block stroked out to a 412. its also goin to have a 6-71 blower. what do you think about that swap?

im also looking for a hood with 3" clearance, if anyone knows of any sites email me if you would (I_Roc_Kid412@yahoo.com)

firstfirebird

iTrader: (3)

Hey white roc 412, Welcome to the site! Before asking any questions, use the search thread tab at the to of the page and you'll find lots of stuff!
That way each thread stays on subject.

Gallileo60

Well I swapped the 305 out of one of my Third Gen cars, with a 350, and the difference was night and day...The mileage was still very good because of the overdrive tranny...I did have a free flow exhaust, intake, and small cam, BUT 50 cubes made a HUGE difference in seat of the pants feeling, while I could not tell much if any difference in mileage...This was not a hi RPM screamer, but a low end tourqe motor, which made it fun as hell to drive....No matter what you do, the very first thing to do with either motor is open up the exhaust, and the breather......Both 305, and 350 will beneifit greatly from this....I used a Edelbrock TES on the motor, and Flow Master Cat back..(Uh no cat tho) I know others here prefer Hooker, or other brands....EXHAUST WORK FIRST.......Just my 2 cents...Tom

Gallileo60

BTW gas is $1.93 a gallon on the Gulf Coast of Texas...........