Vega

Ok, so ive decided to just rebuild the top end on my 305 rather than do a full 350 swap. Im going to go buy a set of 059 Vortec 305 heads just in a few minutes, then i'll be getting an intake set up for a carb (as im ditching this stupid MFking TBI, i dont care if its a "down grade" i dont care if its "old tech" i dont care! i HATE this TBI! its going down!) Then i will be adding a cam.

What i need is advice on intake and cam setup. Id like to go to as high performance cam as possible without swapping out my stock converter. However i might just leave the cam out for a minute until i get my tranny rebuilt, at which point id get the best cam i can and a converter for it. So suggestions on intake, cam, converter, carb, just everything ive got going on here. Let me know guys!

Vega

got the heads, theyre very clean, im very happy with them, got em' for $100

now im looking for intake, carb, cam, and headers

-AO-

Just keep the stock cam and get some 1.6 RR's.

I'd use this intake. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-226018/

Vega

Thanks a lot. Ive heard the L03 cam is rediculously small though, kind of worries me from a performance stand point. I might just swap a T5 in, i found a guy near me with 2 for sale for $250

zenish

while you have the intake off is the time to swap in a new cam.why take it all back apart again later?if you have a 1987 up 305 a lot of people recommend a used lt1 cam.

Vega

Yeah at first i was thinking a Comp Cam rather than the LT1 just because it was a stock cam and i felt that was a little tame/lame. But after looking into them i like the grinds and all, and it seems with a spring swap they should work just fine on my Vortecs right? It will also be do-able with my stock stall which is a good thing for me, im really really budgeting this, not because im testing anything but because i have pretty much pennies to work with lol.

A little more info, the short block i'll be working with is a 100% stock L03, its at about 107k miles and will be staying in the car for this whole process.

One thing i just thought of, i'll be switching from TBI to a carb, i will have to swap fuel pumps for this right? And what size carb should i be looking for? im thinking 600-650? Ive been working with big blocks up until now so ive got the jist of most of it but there are still some loose ends

Later on i might add a nitrous system, just a 100 shot or so, ive heard this is fine on a stock 305, just double checking my bases, also wondering if the vortec heads and an LT1 cam would change that at all and what would need to be done to do that with a carb, as ive never run nitrous before

Vega

Stumbled across this http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spri...rf-hyd-roller/
Which gets me thinking about aftermarket cams again since it frees up some lift on vortec heads
What do you guys think of this cam? Seems to give good lift and says it will work with stock gears and converter http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Code=RLERCAMXE

Im thinking with vortec heads and an intake theres a lot of room for expansion on the cam, id hate to see it held back by being under-cammed. Any input?

redneckjoe

Vega, i dont know much about your ride. be careful with the vortec heads, in stock fashion they will only handle about .450 lift. i believe machine work must be done to the spring pockets? because of coil bind. must use a vortec style intake also. might wanna consider a return style fuel pressure regulator. 600-650 cfm carb should work fine. id go with a cam of around 262 duration to keep the stock stall converter. nothing bigger unless you make changes. what rear gear will you be running?

Vega

Thanks for the advice. The springs in the first link say they address the issue vortecs have with high lift cams, i dont have any first hand experience with either vortecs or those springs so i dont know for sure, just passing along the info. For now my rear gear will have to remain stock (peg leg 2.73)

Vega

More on the car, its a 91' RS Camaro, 305 TBI (L03), automatic 4L60, about 107k miles. Everything is 100% stock as of right now.

I wont have to modify anything with the transmission right? Just double checking, it seems i shouldnt have too since its a 4L60 and not a 4L60e but im not 100%. i have scoured this site pretty well and got some great info on this build, this thread is more of a double-check, something to give 1st hand knowledge on what my car is and where the progress is at so i can more accuratly ask questions, and the specifics of having questions answered about your own personal build are just that much easier than trying to apply other people's builds to your own

One more question to tack on, does the front nose-piece have to come off to do a cam swap? or can i get to that just by removing the fan/radiator?

redneckjoe

when the wallet allows, get a better rear and gears. im sure you know your whole package will perform better. craigslist has deals sometimes. sounds like you got a pretty good project going on. big block plans down the road? dang, my buddys wife just sold a 3.23 posi, disk brake rearend from an 88 iroc for $25.oo!!! he passed away last month unfortunatly. she has no idea what we have put away over there. told her not to sell anything else. lol. best of luck on your build. put some pics up when you get time.

redneckjoe

last cam swap i did in the car, i just pulled the radiator, etc. i think there is some kinda x-brace i had to un-bolt and move infront of the core support. but no, the nose wont have to come off.

Vega

Mkay thanks, that was my main concern, im good with pulling the radiator but didnt want to mess with taking the nose off. Yeahh until now ive been working with big block Oldsmobiles, tearing down a 68' 455 in my garage right now that will eventually be going into a 72' Supreme project car ive had on the side for a while. Right now though its cheap and fun to put some pep in the old Camaro (my first car, so its sentimental to me). Ive had a lot of problems with the TBI though, i can drive the car too and from work but when i go on longer trips it sputters and dies, ive had to limp it home a few times

Ahh! that would have been awesome! Yeah my plans are to definitly get the rear gears upgraded as soon as i can scrape up the money, im looking for 3.42s, hell i might be able to find one at pull a part or something. Actually i'll let you have a look at this, its on craigslist right now but its just the carrier, i was considering it
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/pts/2858989413.html

Vega

Heres some pics! Shes clean for a 3rd gen (at least around Indiana, most around here are clunkers or hot rodded to hell and back) the lighting makes the paint look a little better than it is but its still nice, the interior is still in awesome shape. Shes been my daily driver since i got her, t-tops never leak unless theyre in the car wash. Almost sold her a few times, almost traded her a few times. Every time id be considering selling/trading her id drive her to work the night before and there'd be some cheesy break-up song come on the radio xD my car is a transformer i swear...
"youre as cooolldd as ice...youre willing to saaacrifice our looove" xD

Vega

Im also trying to figure up the compression ratio on my motor after the swap. stock bore/stroke, the 059s are 58cc correct?, then guestimating .025 deck height and can toss whatever matching gasket i want at it, but i have no idea what the piston dishes are for the L03. Ive looked everywhere but nobody has them

Vega

*bump*

i'll be going with the summit intake, thanks for the link!
im also looking to go with these, says they increase vortec lift range to .550 lift without machining? Any input on that?
http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spri...rf-hyd-roller/
Im looking to run one of these two cams
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Code=RLERCAMXE
http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=1988&gid=289
And i need some info as far as headers and exhaust, i havent really looked into that much. Looking for the best that can be had for cheap, doesnt have to be the best/highest performance stuff but id like a good set of headers and a good exhaust system

Vega

Oh yeah also, any suggestions on carb and distributor? im lookin in the 600-650 range, would love a Holley, know of any good deals out there? Also looking at the MSD street fire distributor

Vega

Nothin?