redcamaro1988

I was wondering if someone could tell me what all I need to do in order to perfom a correct top end rebuild on my 305 TBI. The reason I want to do this is because it smokes at start up and at idle some so that leads me to beleive the valve seals or guides are bad. Would it make since to have the heads ported and polished when I have them rebuilt?

Guest

no point in porting the swirl-port heads you have. You need a pair of the '081 castings instead. They were used on the '87 LG4, and the '88-'92 TPI 305 / T5 cars with 220-230 HP. '89-up were dual cat, to get the '081s.
If you get them, then no point keeping the stock intake manifold. The correct upgrade is Edelbrock's Performer TBI, though most guys adapt something else.
Now there's no point keeping your no-flowing stock exhaust. Time for headers and a 3" cat-back. And if not headers, then at least the good exhaust manifolds, from the 350, also used on the TPI cars with the '081 heads.
The heads are the most restrictive choke, but once you replace them, then the manifolds and exhaust are the next choke.
There's no big, worthwhile improvement until you fix them all. And then the tiny cam is the next choke. And don't forget the air cleaner.
So, either live with 170 HP, or be prepared to do it all.
Yes, you can do it in steps, but each one will seem disappointing and not worth it, until you finish. Then you'll be amazed.

redcamaro1988

If I am reading right replace exhaust, heads, intake, air cleaner and small cam? That shouldnt be too bad considering that the thing has less than 60k original miles and sat for a while.

redcamaro1988

Forgot to ask will TPI heads work with TBI setup or am I reading this wrong? I know how to work on cars but have never went this in depth before and dont want to pay someone to do it if I can figure it out myself. I mean I got the thing running and timing set by myself with help from this forum.

Guest

Ya know what? With 60K miles, and having sat, just do valve seals, and check each spring on a spring tester. Or have a local shop do it.
But drive the low-mileage LO3 just as it is, while gathering parts. Do a whole second engine, then sell that LO3. It being such a cherry, some idiots like me would give several hundred dollars for it.
To clarify, I'm not offering to buy it, I'm not close enough. But I'm just illustrating the point.

Guest

'87-up will.

tocoso

I have a set of professionally rebuilt 081 heads that have never been installed since rebuild. I sold the car and their taking up space.
Todd