i'm thinking about either buying new runners, or maybe a cam setup. What do you think will work the best? I have an 87 305 with a 5spd which i guess had a slightly beafier cam. I know it is a hydraulic cam. I'm just not sure what route to take. I know there are a few different types of runners out there which one works best. The tpis longtubes or the slp runners? And what cam would work the best or should i just get the rockers first with the runners. I have about 500-600 to spend. That's all the wife will allow.

 

GM High Tech did some stuff with mods and the bigger runners gained them almost nothing on a 305. Underdrive Pulleys, Cam, Headers.

 

Wow, I didn't know that. So a cam would be the best option? And if i replace the cam what else has to be replaced, rockers, springs, lifters, pushrods? I know it's a hydraulic cam already in it is a 222/230 with a .509/.528 to big. I read in the other topic that an lt1 cam would be good what about an lt4 cam? Also what is a good intake for the 305 motor. Just leave it as is or are any of the other types of intakes work well with the 305 like the miniram and the stealthram I know you always talke about them but you usually talk about them with the 350 not the 305.

 

Do you have any access to PROM editing equipment? If not I advise not to go to big of a cam. I am currently running the LT4 HOTCAM (218/228 @.05) in my 305 w/TPI, and it COULD run ok with the stock PROM but tuning of the PROM was a must for the engine to right.

If you do go with a cam swap and decide to stay with a roller cam, a new cam will run $250 alone, then you got gaskets, the whole shabang.

 

I can get a prom made for me but it would probably take a little while. As for the whole shabang, that's what i'm wondering what is the whole shabang that I would have to change. I know the lt4 hot cam kit has a set of 1.6 roller rockers, valve springs, valve caps, valve keys and a valve spring shims. Would i also need to change the lifters what about the pushrods??? And are the 1.6 roller rockers a good combo for the 305? Did the cam make a huge difference in performance, what track times do you think you'll see?

 

You dont have to get the whole LT4HC kit, all you would need is the cam, better springs, and check for clearences on the head. There is no need to buy new pushrods(unless bent), roller lifters, rocker arms, etc. The whole shabang I was talking about are:

* Need to take heads off to have them machined for bigger diameter springs

* Gaskets include: Head, header, Valve Cover, Manifold-to-head, Timing cover, water pump, manifold-to-runner, runner-to-plenum.

* Copper silicon(gasket sealer), Coolant, etc.

The only thing I like about the lt4hc in my 305 is that is sounds cool.

If the purpose of modifying the engine is to get better times on the 1/4, and you are on a budget, you shouldnt waste money on a 305 unless your willing to spend a bit more money. There was a guy on here with a 305 and he put on some vortec heads and the SDCP tpi manifold and he just broke into the 13's. Only thing the heads were ~$500 and the SDCP intake was ~$400.

Not sure who you are going to for a custom chip but I know some companies charge around $250 just for the chip, same price it would cost to buy the equipment to continually burn your own chips.

I am currently building a 350 on the side thats why I got the hotcam, just for kicks I stuck it in the 305 and ended up with a whole bunch of things I didnt plan on doing half-way through the swap (machining the heads, etc.), so much time and hard work for a decrease in driveability. Oh well...

 

you really have to have the heads machined for bigger diameter springs? There aren't any cams and springs that can be installed without having to alter the heads. I was trying to refrain from taking the heads off. By just changing the rockers, springs and cam. This is not possible?

 

I would think that it would be possible but changing the cam without changing the heads on a 305 is kind of pointless IMO.

 

Sp0nGa, your car sounds bada$$. I wouldn't mind having the LT4 cam in my 305 but I have an '85 so I have to use a flat tappet cam. I am thinking about the 218/224 CompCam. It is similar to the LT4. Did you notice a drop in your lowend torque? I'm sure that it is a beast on the topend. I am going to install the Torquer 305 heads when I do my swap. Do you have any before and after dyno or track results?

 

The reason why I say you should take the heads to have them machined for bigger springs is because it has been recommended by many other users on this board. I personally havnt done it, I am currently using comp cams single spring, 981-16 I think it was. I have been running it like this for months now with NO sign of valve train failure. So its really up to you if you are willing to take a risk like me

IIRC, there are one or two guys that used the LT4 cam, NOT the LT4 hot cam, in their 305 and they didnt have to do anything else, no tuning to the PROM or machining of the heads.

Honestly I feel kinda iffy to spin the motor too high with the HC and these springs on which is why I havnt gotten any track times since the cam swap. The highest this motor sees is ~3000rpms.

Jeff

 

Oh hey lol, IrocAn87, when I was giving advise about someone running 13's with a 305 earlier, I was referring to jfreeman74, only thing he isnt running vortecs at all... I got a bad memory

Wierd, I didnt notice any loss of lowend torque, I did notice a loss of gas milage though. I didnt really do the cam swap to gain performance, it is meant for the 350 that Im building so I havnt taken it to the track or dyno.

BTW my car is idling between 875-925 rpms in the sound clip.