hey i was thinkin of some topic for a good thread
and i decided to ask for all your opinions, why do
so many car and truck guys(and girls) swap out 305's
for 350's, you can do up a 305 just as well as a 350
without paying for another engine. have fun with this one!!

 

i read an article about a 305 made by lunati that made like
343 horse

 

Due to modern technological advances, the 305ci has the capability to be a very strong engine. With that said, let’s take a minute to discuss when the 305ci was introduced and why it gained a bad reputation among hot-rodders. GM introduced the 305ci in 1976 when things were, let’s just say horrible. With governmental mandated emission controls and such, every manufacturer were producing **** engines. It is hard to deny that in 76, Chevrolet put the worst heads ever on a small block. The 305ci was known for extremely hot combustion chamber, lean fuel mixtures, horrible timing, and small valves. Most gear heads would rather swap a 305ci with a crate 350ci than bother with persistent malfunctions. Nevertheless, as I said in the beginning, modern technology as made it easier to build up a 305ci, which can produce amazing results. Changing heads alone can produce a significant improvement.

In my opinion, the 305ci was not a bad motor it just had ****ty parts. Take for instance Fords 302ci which was also 5.0 Liters. It out did GM’s 305 because it had better parts.

Now for why so many people make 305 swaps for 350’s, I think it is because of a few reasons. First, increased displacement is certainly appealing to most. Let’s not mention if you take a 350ci and bore it .30 to a 383, the power is just insane! Second, 350ci parts are more accessible than 305 parts. This could be another debate, but I would say it is most likely cheaper to build up a 350 than a 305. Finally, reputation alone holds a significant impression. The 350ci was introduced in 1967 when the muscle car era was peaking. Back then, the 350 was matching 1 horsepower per 1 cubic inch.

I think the 305, with a couple of improvements, is a very dependable engine and can produce considerable horsepower and torque improvements. However, if I had the choice, I would choose the 350 over the 305 any day. Think of it this way, my 5.3L is a fantastic engine, but if I had someone gave me a 6.0L, I would stick it in my truck in a heartbeat.

Almost forgot, I found the article you were talking about and that is a great set up! I'll post it up for the rest of us.
http://www.hioutput.com/tech/343hp/343hp.html

 

It is much cheaper to build the 350. That motor was the standard for chevy for so long that parts are everywhere. Also there is no substitute for displacement, especially with the weight trucks have.
Now another question since it was brought up. Why were the 350s in th 60s making 350 hp, but in the 90s only making 220? Some will say milage and emissions, but the milage was not much better, and there was little emissions then in the 90s here. and who cares about milage when you have a 350, if you wanted milage you got a 305.

 

That's a very good point smoke and to tell you the truth, I don't have an honest answer. I think once again, the parts used in the 90's has a little to do with it. But look at the LT1 in the 90's, it had 275hp. Fuel injection has made things a lot better too! BigTex could probably help us out a little more with this question.

 

there is no replacement for displacement. more cubic inches makes more power. as for which one, 350 yes, but if you have a 305 lying around it is just a cheap to build as a 350, basically same motor, just very few minor differences. i love cubic inches though...wow now i sound like a dirty little *****

 

haha, yeah i guess your right just as well to use a 350 if u have easy access to one
id like to have a 305 with a blower just to be different , but check this out for displacement
http://www.v8snowblowers.com/id6.html, man id love to have this for my driveway

 

I would love to have that but oh wait it does not snow in oklahoma.

 

I would just love to see that much snow.

 

at the drag strip at bandimere. some guy had a 305 blown 6 seater golf cart..it was funny as hell, and he did a burn out for my drunk *** when i asked him to, it was nothing short of sweet