Amen bub!! Too many people out here running down everyone else who can't put as much money in their builds as they can. We aren't all blessed with a silver spoon in our mouths. I drive a semi and have raised my family to appreciate what they have and never run down the next man for what he doesn't. I've walked away from several people for that very reason and some of them I thought were friends of mine. They need to remember that the man you step on today may be the one that picks you up tomorrow!🤠👍
Amen brother. Ive got a hand me down 78 type lt Camaro with a305 sbc. Love that car to death. Sucks not having as much power as I want but it’s what I got and I own it 👍
I have buddy with a short bed chevy 305. Ede cam intake 500 carb headers and 390 gears. Not a race truck at all but a super fun trk to cruise around in burns tires sounds great
Mr, I have never had the privilege of watching your TH-cam channel before,. But I just cought your 305 video. And I absolutely appreciate your your spirit. It doesn't matter if it's a John Deere or a Kenworth, Fun is fun , get out your tool box and get it to run. I have a 305 that I rebuilt about 26 years ago and it's never let me down or left me walking. Why a 305 ? Well I guess I wanted to be different from all the guys that were building 350s,. And I had gotten it for free and it was still a good running engine that did not smoke or knock. Being that it was free it allowed me a few extra dollars to use for parts. It is bored.030 and has 10.25:1 compression and.450 lift crane cam along with a Edelbrock four barrel and intake, and long tube headers. And I'm running a 700R4 behind it In my 1977 long bed , I never had it dyno tested or anything, but I'd say it's got about 300hp and around 350ft tq. And that is plenty enough to put a smile on my face and tow or haul what ever I need it for. Tim from Wisconsin.
Not much of a mechanic beyond oil changes, brake pads and spark plugs, but slowly getting into it so I can take better care of my 41 year old C10 with its original 305 and 3 speed automatic. Just amazes me these components can last so many decades and still work. Bought the truck for $900 hoping it would last a summer while I remodeled a home and then I'd sell it for scrap value. That was 11 years ago and she keeps running and running. Good video, learned a lot.
My 84 gmc c15 has been my favorite truck I have owned, 305 with a quadrajet, 5/7 drop runs and drives so smooth. My daughter's favorite ride to take to kindergarten!
Just wanna say thank you SS! I'll be honest with you. I'm just dipping my toes into the water. I know a little bit about engines but I'm not a professional. I got a heck of a deal on a camaro with a built 305 and the stock engine along with it. But I really appreciate you stepping up for us little guys who don't have a lot of information to make more power. All I have is a 315 on 350 vortec heads rolling rockers and efi block. Other than that I feel personally attacked and bullied online because I needed a running car and the 87 iroc was a dream come true. The man is giving me a box truck full of spare parts and I hope to see good things come from this setup. So again, thank you so much for using your platform and making me feel like I belong.
I had a 305 in my 84 3/4 ton with a granny 4 speed with a aftermarket cam in it. I was told it was a 350 when I bought the truck. And it ran great, even raced a built 70 chevelle way back when. Sure my truck wasn’t built to race. But I street raced it, my truck had a reputation as a fast truck. Not even knowing it was a built 305. I would build a stroke 305 in a heartbeat with some good 601 HO heads.
I've had a 84 c10 for about 4 or 5 years it sat up for a year or 2 cause I didn't have the money to fix er up but now I do and just found out it's a 305 and not a 350 like I was told.
1992 Camaro with a 305/5 speed. World SR Torquer heads, comp xr 264hr-12 cam, Hooker headers and Magnflow exhaust. Edelbrock intake and runners. 13.24 @ 104.7. Not bad for the little engine that "couldn't"!!
Agreed. 305 can make great power. I had a 91 camaro. Typical teal colored Ttop RS package that used to be common. With the LO3, 700R4 and the 273 geared rear end the car had great gas mileage on the freeway
Good stuff! Here’s my personal opinion, I prefer 350s by a long shot. However, I’ve owned a carb swapped 305 swb OBS with a 5 speed and small rv cam. Talk about a fun truck! It had more torque with that rv cam than my other 350 tbi 5 speed swb OBS. I also just recently cam swapped a 305 that, unbeknownst to me, had a bad cam lobe when I bought it. That 305 is in a Camaro and has longtubes and 416 heads. That sucker seriously surprised me! Puts me back in the seat good. Overall I’d prefer a 350 but the 305s are still fun to mess with.
Your words at the end of the video are what we need more of. I've always enjoyed cars shows and hanging at the drag strip where everyone will help you out.
I have a 4.8 with aftermarket heads on it and a tune it does surprisingly well. Most people wouldn't hop up a 4.8 in much the same way. I love that little LS it's survived 16 years of my torture.
I’ m personally going to build my 305 as my 86 TransAm is all original matching numbers. The 305 HO was a reasonable quick car for the time . And even bone stock could hit 140+ . Out of the box back when I got it.
I think I'm gonna do the same, I have a #s matching 84 Z28 with the L69 H.O. 4 barrel engine. It runs great, it may not win every race but at a car show that's a different story. It actually does better than I ever expected, I've had faster cars. Big block Chevelles, all three 4th gens, 66 Nova that had a 4.88 gear as well as some other cars that were all faster than my current car. I like my current car for what it is, it's a good crusier that's more reliable than everything I used to own. It has more creature comforts like A/C and t tops, I'm not out drag racing all the time like I used to, in my area there's red light and speed cameras everywhere as well as speed bumps on many streets. For now, I'm sticking with the 305.
I really like the 305 great engines for many projects. 4 barrel cam aluminum intake and headers will really wake them up factory cams really had the power potential of the 305 cut down. You have a great channel enjoy watching Thank You.
And good video, really appreciate the part at the end talking about the current gatekeeping in the car community. People are really ruining what we used to have with forums and full build guides with pictures everyone trying to help each other, that stuff is disappearing nowadays.
I'd say the 305 is probably the ultimate kids v8 engine to learn on. Still cheap and plentiful in junkyards and sitting behind barns. Growing up in the 90s they were in everything, so when most of us got our first beater cars back then, we spent countless hours working on them to try to learn how to make more power. It was pretty common to see examples back then that had around 300+HP at the crank that were built in high-school car shops on the dirt cheap.
I put a edelbrock performer and 600 holley on my 85pickup with a 305 and I was very impressed with the power gains. Yes the 305 responds well with bolt ons.
Thank you for this vid. Im a beginner, at 51, just bought my first hot rod. 84 z28 305h.o. Definitely on a budget, and not trying to race it. Its a rare auto form conversion, so i want to keep the motor original, with a mild build. Keeping my 305 and keeping it simple is my path. Its all about smiles per gallon! Great to know this info, and great to know that people are sharing knowledge.
Roller tip rockers headers and a decent cam is very cheap and can wake it up. You can have alot fun in that 84. I too am older I turned 50 in Oct. Finally getting start building toys again with grown kids and grand kids things are always on a budget.
I appreciate your positive attitude! I took a junkyard 305 and put it in my squarebody, it has made a fine replacement for the lowly six cylinder that was original to that truck.
Just picked up a 305/200r4 from a 87 Monte Carlo SS. 65k miles for $400 fan to slip yolk. He was LS swapping it. So I got a great deal to get my car driving and he's doing his thing. Nice when everyone's doing the best they can with what they have.
Love the hat. Thank you for encouraging the lower budget guys. I found a running 305 for a hundred bucks and decided to do my very first, low risk, engine rebuild
My grandpa who was a professional dirt late model racer and race engine builder, always said “ The best way to make a 305 run better is to pull it out and put a 350/355/358 or put the 383 stroker in it with a 400 crank” gramps called the 305 “cheap power” my dad said he always hated those 305’s but he gave one to my dad when he was younger and now my father and I are gonna pull it out the astro van and do it up. I know my grandpa will be laughing at us is heaven.
I always considered the 305 a cheap van engine, and growing up everyone said they were junk. But, in defense of the Chevy small block V-8? A lot of those big block guys would throw a rod on the track every weekend, and be back to tearing down an engine in the driveway again. I had a friend who had a 305 in a 2 door Monte Carlo, and I have to say it would get up pretty good. It beat my 78 LTD2 easily enough in a drag race.
Had a G20 shorty with the L03 (TBI) 5.0 and the 700R4. Wasn't gonna win any races but I found her to have more than enough power to move that 6000 pound van around. My van had a towing package complete with the trans cooler and it did a great job towing. When I got her, the motor needed some serious love, so I changed fluids, gave a tune up and put seafoam through it. Even though it was mostly stock(I put a dual exhaust and larger open air intake from K&N) that little bit of love really woke her up. I've driven all sorts of vehicles(all the different size step vans, modern vans and pickups, straight trucks with 8 to 13 litre motors, and even city transit buses) and not once was I ever disappointed with how she ran or her performance. I miss that van....
New to your channel I have a 85 Scottsdale with a 305 I am very well pleased with the little engine it was my first v8 I've owned it since 2009 I have only watched one video of yours it was about the 305 it seems like u have a very nice channel love the old Square body's
Hello From Estonia!I have a 305,it’s cool little motor runs good. I’ve but bigger cam,intake,headers ang new igniton in it…makes me smile every time i drive it…and there always be some guys saying “nice boad ancor”
Ive got a 68k 305 83 firebird with: (lg4) intake headers 1.6 roller rockers 2.5 exhaust (single) weight reduced. 5 speed. and its a burn out machine! glad to see people posting videos about this motor.
Good video, appreciate the time taken on this topic. In the years i have lurked/posted in squarebody forums or anything having to do with a 305, i have heard a ton of negativity towards it. So seeing this was refreshing. I have a 305 HO in my 87 R10 mated to a 700r4 and with a few upgrades here and there, its been really fun to drive over the years. I do plan on LS swapping for a 6.0l iron block, but thats a ways away. Thanks again for the video!
When I was 18 (32 now) I got an 83/84 Square with 185k miles on it. 305 with a 700R. I drove the piss out of that truck for several years, eventually ending up with over 235k miles on it. Started smoking a bit on startup and burning a little oil near the end, but still fired right up and ran fine. I pulled it and threw a 350 bored .30 over in it and am very happy. If you can get a 305 for cheap, take it. Never gonna be a high performance motor, but they run like tops, and are hard to kill. Great motor for young guys looking for their first vehicle.
If it's what you got and you just want to bolt up a few add-ons they're really fun motors. Don't always need to be pushing crazy numbers or huge displacement. My favorite memories are driving an old monte ss with one and not once was I displeased. Great video!
10:35 This message is something many need to hear and be supportive of, particularly with rodders and builders. Wrench turning, especially with the younger generation, fewer and fewer are doing their own builds. The best teacher is experience and some helpful info could save inexperienced folks lots of time and grief.
@@SquarebodyStuff If I remember correctly you said a proven fact that David Vizard has used for 30+ years to win multiple races was "theoretical" and doesnt work in the real world. Then you told me to post videos, get 500 subs and meet you at the No Name Nationals. The What? Who is the race sponsor? Like Ill ever post a video on here and get subs. My home track is Gainesville Florida and local track is Memphis. You want a race you better bring something faster than squeaky (a lot faster) because my K/SA is my slowest car. Meet me in Memphis (a real track) and bring your wallet and Ill bring my Monte Carlo SS and my SS/J Super Stock Chevy II and show you what a mid 8 second car runs like at 160+ mph.
@@MasterWitchDoctor wow sweet pea calm down a bit, it sounds like you got your thong twisted up. I’m sure wherever you are from, you are a pretty big deal, and if so forgive me for not caring. But I think chad was trying to get you to make videos so you could show the world just how much knowledge you gained from sniffing David Vizards cheeks. Then bring one of those sweet 8 second hot rods out to show the world just how big your pecker is 😂. But I get it bein a keyboard warrior is tough and all. You got a real image to upkeep. I get it. I really do. And I tell ya , I think you could walk right over ole squeaky with your “Purpose Built sUpEr sToCkEr🤪. I would hope so. But if ya didn’t I would just laugh and laugh at you some more. Hell most of our street cars run mid 7’s in the 1/4 where I’m from, so fellas like yourself aren’t really on our radar. In conclusion you seem like a nice fella I’d like to line up with and put ya over my knee. So if ya ever do feel like bustin out one of those sweet super stockers 😂😂😂 tap a guy on the shoulder 😏
Great video. I have a 1986 Trans Am that I bought in 1990, it has the original 305 with 145,000 miles on it. Over the years I have thought about putting a 350 or 383 in it, but I would have to buy a crate engine (since I cannot build my own) plus I would also have to get another transmission & rear end to handle the extra horsepower, because they are also original, plus shop fees to do all the work, would lead to a lot of money. So that’s why I am looking for ideas to add more power to what I have.
I got a 1988 chevy g10 sportvan with a 305 TBI that I am doing a carb conversion on. I got edelbrock intake and carb and am picking up a set of 416s heads. Thanks for the knowledge brother and God bless you
I just pulled my 305 from my 46 Plymouth to rebuild. Drivers side was slightly smoking. I gave it to the machine shop. I’ll give you an update when I get it back. I’m going stock as it’s my daily.
You have what you have. Any horse power gains on any engine is wonderful. Even 50 hp . An extra 100 hp is totally awesome. Using modified stock parts. Glorious.
Formula - - 1987 Caprice 305 roller, put it in 1982 Firebird, no smog gear, Rochester 4BBL adjusted as lean as was still drive-able - - 28 MPG and 15.3 quarter mile.
Just like you said at around 2:30 I have a 305 in my 87 transam. Just got it from my grandfather and I’ve been running it around thinking everything was great until I hit some roads for an hour or 2 in 100 degree weather and I had coolant pouring out the top of the reservoir. Took it to a shop and they found nothing wrong. Took it to a performance shop to get some mods done and they asked me why it was running so hot and I gave them the all clear to do a thermostat replacement and they said it opened up at 260 degrees. So this whole time I’ve been running around with no coolant in my block to the point that coolant is spilling out the reservoir and the thing still runs perfectly fine.
Rebuilding one right now. New rod, main and cam bearings, xe268h Comp cam, new .550 lift valve springs, double roller timing chain, new push rods, roller tip rockers, shorty headers, Holley dual plane intake, 650 Holley, msd ignition.
I really do appreciate this video and the message I have a 1979 Camaro with a 305 got it where it runs perfect like roadtrip worthy I pulled emissions junk off of it put a summit racing exhaust and headers on it and put a intake and a 4bbl carb on it and now I'm looking to cam it and I will always hear these old guys say all this money should've done a 350 but it's numbers matching and it's my first carbureted car I am learning on
I loved my 305. Roller block, Flat tops, vortec heads, lt4 hot cam, long tubes, knock off copy of a performer rpm, and a 650 Holley. Made 340hp at the crank and was a blast in that little Vega.
wrong cam buddy, the 305 heads are designed to flow max between .400 and .450 lift. With 1.5 ratio rockers your LT4 hotcam is .492 lift and only cost you hp above .450 due to parasitic stress on the crank. Another reason its wrong is because the lobe separation angle is wrong for a 305. The proven formula for determining the correct LSA is 128 - (cubic inches / number of cylinders / intake valve size x .91) = 128 - (305 / 8 / 1.84 x .91) = 109.14470, yours in 112 which is costing you hp and torque just in the overlap alone. Using this formula you will never have to guess as to what works and what doesnt. I used it when I had the cam in my NHRA K/SA Monte Carlo SS ground and on Eddie Carlisle's dyno my L69 makes 427 hp @ 6700 rpm with unported heads, stock intake, and Rochester carb with 9.5:1 compression and VP C10 fuel. FYI my custom ground cam has .403 lift intake .415 lift exhaust (stock numbers) which is right in spec with the flow numbers of the 081 centerbolt heads (the best non vortec 305 heads). So you ask how fast is my K Stock Monte Carlo? It runs a consistent 11.60s @ 118 mph and has put more cars on the trailer than I care to remember. This is a car that the weight factor is 3286 lbs with my driver so its not on a diet like most of the not stock classes.
@MasterWitchDoctor I built my entire engine for less than $650. I may have not used the optimal parts but I had no complaints. It did its job and still does in my son's s10. Been dead reliable and has enough oomph to roast the tires til they blow.
@@radster8760 you dont need to spend a ton of money unless youre competing in an NRHA sanctioned class like Stock Eliminator or Super Stock. And in the blink of an eye theyll come tear you down and check everything if any of the whiners cry because they got put on a trailer by a 305.
I love it when you say don't trash talk let them down had that happen to me when I said I wanted to put a 305 in a ford ranger well its in and almost ready to go
Both my chevy 305 motors have turbocharger, the 83 Caprice has a HX35 turbo, 77 Firebird HX40, both RV camshaft, dual intake manifold, homemade turbocharger piping....the key too make them live with non forged pistons is gapping piston ring for boost. I perfer water injection cooling misting over a intercooler. 77 Pontiac 416 heads are ported plus both have 1.6 rocker arm on the intake side.
Great video 👍 I’ve built many 305’s and yes you can do a lot with them, more than what people give them credit for.. for as helping someone, I build and document here on TH-cam play by play and explain what you can do different that works for you, when someone ask a question I’m at the age where I’ll give you best answers, I don’t compete anymore and will help someone with the old school engine, I got one on the way now for a guy in his twenties, he will know some old timers tricks time I’m done with him (it will be documented for anyone else that’s wants to know), I currently now just buy, do some conversion on the squarebody show and sell.. A lot of channels out there will not reply to one’s questions like it’s a big secret, I mentor a lot of builds, questions every day. I looked on TH-cam to find a channel that dose play by play from start to finish, they only show a lot of what they did not the how, Im documenting the one I got now from when I got it play by play to the show in 4 months..I really enjoy your content, not many of us left that will help someone if they ask about something. I’m a long time follower of your channel, I just don’t comment much 😀.. keep the content coming, really enjoy it and Thanks for sharing with us 👍
Dad, has a 86 caprice with a 305 engine setting at the shop for a very long time, Im planning on working on it as a start to work on my skills and become more knowledgeable on automotive mechanic
WE just build a 305 as a learn how to build an engine motor. It was a lot of fun. It came with our truck and it sounds pretty good. Turned out to be a fun build and fun to learn on. Ours is running in a 1963 Chevy c10 with a 3 on the tree. WE aint trying to go fast haha
Great video! A set of 601 or 416 heads, RV cam, aftermarket aluminum 4 barrel intake, and a set of long tube headers will really wake up a 305. And still get decent gas mileage.
I love the 305 good little engine I did one up put a set of vortec 305 heads and an lt1 factory cam ran great and as far as I know still running great buddy of mine needed the engine for his dad's truck so we took it out of my s10 and put it in his dad's square body
Hey Chad, first time viewing your video on 305 I've found it to be informative and simply narrated looking forward for more info as regards to this topic. T.l.A
Sir I appreciate you sticken up for us little guys cuz I got a 305 in my Excalibur and just want to make it better that's what came in it so that's what I'm going to stick with .
Thanks. There's room in this world for all of us. Not everyone wants or needs a 1500hp twin turbo engine under the hood. A 300hp 305 can be plenty of fun and not break the bank.
305 is a good engine. In the 80s a friend of mine had one in a 1987 Monte SS and other mods (cam or chip) of the existing engine that made it a tire roaster. It was previously owned (before bought) by somebody who was part of a Monte Carlo club and the car ripped. We do not know what the mods we're but it ran excellent.
@@robertgoodwinr6523 yep I dated a girl in Dallas that had an 85 iroc 305 maaaaan! And had a friend in Arkansas with a el Camino 305 I dunno but maaaaan!
I'm eagerly awaiting my 305's return from the machine shop ... lost an oil pressure sensor while my son had it , pumped all the oil out on the ground then almost seized . And still made it almost all the 177.5 miles back home . I figgered since it was going to have to be rebuilt why not improve it some . So it's getting a .030 overbore with flat tops for a c/r of around 9.5-9.75:1 ("h" code motor), heads got a 3 angle valve seat job to go with the Elgin e-922-p cam - .444/288° intake and .466/298° exhaust with 112° lobe separation . It's also getting an Edelbrock Performer with a 600 or 650 Holley on top , exhausting thru a set of small/long tube headers , 2" exhaust tube with Thrush Hush muffs . Backing up the motor will be a 700R4 with a shift kit and a 3.42:1 gear set in the rear axle . It has 2.73's right now , I expect great things from this combo when I finish it . I hope it idles fairly smooth , my objective is "sleeper" ...
Building my first 305 in my 86 el Camino got a mild street cam to put on gonna get a set of header and intake then upgrade to a better 4 barrel carb then my stock one
Pretty much any small block chevy can run well. Get your compression up in the 9's. Then add a lil bit bigger cam, headers, duals, good intake & 4 barrel. Get the dizzy setup right and have fun 👍👍 Stick shift helps too 😊
As a disabled veteran I only get around $500 a month and I lost my job due to my PTSD. So for us who only have a 305 there is no way I can just go out and drop a fat dime to get the power. I'll have to take my time and work with what I have. Thank you for the info. I think how quiet she is that will be the first thing she will get. Keep up with the good video.
First off thank you for your service Sir. The next thing is toys are never truly finished so one part at a time has worked for me. I have had the big 468 builds also the 1000 dollar 5.0. Builds at the end of the day it was all fun. Gears seem to always make the biggest difference.
Outstanding good sir!! Love your soap box moment because I’m one of those tryin to learn. Great explanation. An idea I would like to see is a comparison/discussion between the 305, 307 and 302 motors. Keep up the good work!
Love it! I have the most hated L03 tbi in my ‘89 firebird. It only has 35k on the clock and it sat for some time. Im going to refresh and run that with better heads intake and exhaust, shift kit and better gears!!!
Yeah the 305 will wake up with boost and respond very well; the thicker head gasket between the cylinders make it better resistant to being blown, also the rotating assembly crank rods and pistons are lighter 👍🐎
305s always hold a place in my shop. They're cheap, infinite aftermarket being an SBC, absolute tanks, and just fun. As much as I've leaned into LS builds recently my favorite build is that cheap teenage hotrod build. And really theres nothing more smile inducing than a $100 305 pull with a thumpr, long tubes, and a holley dialed up to about 1000rpm idle just chopping and spittin' like a full tilt track car.
I have a 1982 pontiac trans am with a 305 crossfire fuel injection. All original still runs good. Heck this car still has its original mufflers. And yes he is all decked out to look like kitt from classic knight rider.
Power Nation just did one and it makes close to 600 Hp and 570 Tq even Eric Holdener did one so yes I would say that the 305 is a daily sleeper also the Olds 307.
If you put 350 heads on a 305, you will have a low compression 305 with potential valve to block interference issues. If you can find a set (since they no longer make them), get a set of World Products S/R Torquer 305 heads. 1.94/1.5 valves with 58cc chambers and great flow ... these heads with a Holley 650, a Bow Tie LT-1 intake, a good RV cam (say, 220~ duration at .050, 110 LSA, .46 lift etc), you can easily make 300HP with one. I've built a few 305s over the years, and sometimes to show up the 'get a 350' crowd. Just remember, a 305 is still a Small Block Chevrolet, and responds to mods the way any Small Block Chevrolet will. BTW, Mortec is an excellent site.
I have an 88’ Sierra, that my was late pawpaw’s truck it has 305 out of an 87 grand prix that I plan to build a 339 stroker out of and playing with the idea on adding a twin turbo kit also
I love the budget builds! i have a 68 camaro with a 283 and a 1970 corvette with a 307! yes a 307! these were basic stock cast piston motors with small cams and cast intakes with qjet carbs and headers,! the camaro runs low 13s and the corvette feels like a 13 second second car (we shall see this spring when the track opens)
@@skyreach669 th-cam.com/users/shortsfZfavFJr1Eo?feature=share Here is the 283 when it was in the Camaro last season! It now has a budget RV 454 that just went 12.72 @104 I also have some videos of that build as well!
I like your honesty I have a 3ed gen camaro with a 305 it's been built up I'm 71 years old the first time I drove it it scared the hell out of me it has a holley 4 berl carb it seems to pass up eny thing on the road except a gas station is there something I can do too bring it down a bit with out braking the bank thanks ln advance. Skip saul
It was 1992. Big mortgage. Car payment for wife's Yukon. 3 kids to feed. I needed a pickup 🛻. Purchased a 3/4 ton. Chev extended cab. Pretty bare bones with a 305. Cheapest new truck on the dealership lot. 17 city. 24 hywy. $18k I love my truck. Old Reliable I call her. 230,000 miles. Running STRONG!!! Only a fool disrespects that. Never Never Lake, Alaska.
Can you make a video on how to install a tachometer in the factory fuel gauge and relocate the fuel gauge to the smaller 4 gauge pod side of the cluster?
Totally Agree with your comments towards the end of the video. I came across a Jasper 305 a few years ago. It was a roller camshaft so I converted it to a hydraulic lifter with a summit 00052 lopey cam and mechanical fuel pump. It runs great and sounds even better. Most gear heads think it's something radical. When I tell them it's a 305 they're shocked. usually they make fun of me or ask why I didn't build a 350 blah blah blah. I learned to deal with the haters over the years. Usually anyone that has something negative to say about a 305 has NEVER even built a motor before. So ignore these people. One plus of my 305 is it eats 87 ethanol gas all day long with zero pinging. Sure a 350 makes more power, but a 305 is a great cruiser, cheap to find, can be snappier with different gears, and I kinda like all the hate I get for seeing value in a very reliable motor. I love my 305. Everyone else can kiss it. 👄💄
I guess if that's what you want to do is cruise the boulevard .I like a true muscle car though with at least a 350 engine with enough grunting power numbers to back up the looks of my ride w a lopey Cam a set of head's on at least a 350 cubic motor I'm not interested w a 305 Chevy motor 🙄 duh dude I'm not impressed with such a joke of a motor
I daily drive a 2002 Sierra 4.8 V8 with 3.42 gears. Great on fuel economy and reliable. I considered doing a 5.3 or 6.0 swap, but the 4.8 fits my needs better since I don't have a heavy foot. Now I'm looking at a 80's C10 305 so I'm doing some research. The C10 I just want as a cruiser since my dad had one when I was a kid. You're video helped give me some piece of mind. Thank you!
Love your video I'm that guy that wants to upgrade his 305 keep it original in rhe car and have more power if I get close to 400 great if not I'll take what I can I'm 34 just started working on cars a few years ago cu not I finally have some money and time to do what I always wanted thanks for all the information brother
Back in the 90,s i had a rs camaro with a tbi 305. Very reliable and fun car. I did play with it but only externally. Edlebrock aluminum intake, headers, msd ignition and some tbi mods that were out there more plentiful at that time and a computer chip that i believe was hypertech. Main thing i remember is a very reliable, good running car. The only thing that bothered me was it seemed to be very sensitive to spark knock (detanation) i believe that could be easily taken care of with some work aimed at specifically working on that problem.
I just found your channel and have subscribed. I totally agree with you. Not all of us have a big budget. I have a ‘72 Chevelle Malibu with 307. I am second owner of the car. It was my first car. I have owned it since 1981. It only has 100,925 original miles on it. I don’t have $$ to go get a 350. So a friend of mine and I are going to have some fun with what I have. I think we are going to replace heads, intake, cam and of course carb. We are going to do a little at a time. I understand that she isn’t going to make massive power, but I don’t care. We just want to wrench and have fun. She was my first. She has sat neglected for a long time , but she’ll come around. Keep bringing the great content.
Man, this is the kind of comments that make what I do worth it, and completely my point. Have fun with what you have or can afford. Make that 307 scream!!!
@@SquarebodyStuff I might have to take that stock 2 barrel cab off and give it a good cleaning/ rebuild. What would you recommend for a cheap rebuild kit? Carb has a 2 and the word Jet cast in the top of it. It is what came in it from factory in ‘72
It should be a Rochester 2 jet. If you can afford it. Find a good used 4bbl intake and carb. But if rebuilding the 2 jet is the go to, any parts house should be able to find the right re build kit for it if you have the numbers off the carb or give them the info on the car.
@@SquarebodyStuff I am ultimately going to give her a 4bbl and intake, but right nowI just want to get her running again. She has not ran since 1989. Been sitting in an old chicken coop.
Video's like this I do appreciate. Rather than waiting 3 to 4 months out for a rebuilt SBC 350 to ship, I bought locally a 305 that came out of an 84' K5 Blazer. I had no choice in the matter, complaints about the 81' Malibu sitting have been ramping up. Being that the car was optioned for 229 v6, 305 v8, or 350, I will soon have something that the car was meant for. Yes I will be purchasing performance parts for the engine at a later date. High dollar LS motors don't interest me at this point, they only really use them for Street or Drag racing anyway. I am just trying to put a classic back on the road where it belongs.
Headers and an intake manifold help. But watch out! Most are to large and can actually Slow Down your airflow. It's all about maintaining velocity, port matching,even with the stock intake manifold,and a little bowl work cost little ( DIY) but really help w/ small ci. Depending on the local emissions regulations, 302, Z28 intake manifolds should be about right. But those engine's ran at high RRRs... maybe instead of a 400 crank and 334 cid...a 327 crank and cam with significant duration could make more horse pressure on top.(?)
I have zero experience with the 305. The only interactions I have with them is with people telling me how awful they are. I often wonder how much of their opinion is made up of actual experience vs anecdotal information (ideas just parroted from "the forums"). Hot Rodding feels like it has become very high-end and exclusive. You get the feel that if you're not doing a 1000HP LS/Coyote swap you're not doing anything. The whole idea of hot rodding was to make it better. I blame the litany of car shows available these days. They've done a good job of piquing interests, but they've also skewed people' perceptions. Kinda like trying to buy old cars. Now everybody thinks their old rusty junker is worth tons of money regardless of what it is.
305 is fantastic for a daily driver and you can tow with it. I'd spring to rebuild one, new pistons, overbore, but it will not blow the doors off a 350/383, love the smaller bore for what it is, a trouble-free runner that's smooth as silk and taken decent care of, will outlast you.
love your last comment about being positive and not putting down new guys. Not everything has to be a blown LS making 1,000HP......and tbh I don't think I have the nerves to drive something with that much power.
Thank you for the rant! This day and age has become remarks made on electronic communications. Don't loose the thought that there is a person flesh and blood you are talking to. They may not have the resources or disposable income that some do. Bea good shepherd.
I have an 82 Chevy pickup with a 305 and fairly low miles the problem I have is the rocker arms walking off the valve stems I will be looking into a 350 to replace it
I agree. I’ve had a ton of fun with 305 engines in third gen Firebirds and Camaros as well as a few late 70s square body pickups. I currently own a 77 C20 with a swapped 305 and its a great truck, originally came with a 350 but the previous owner blew the engine and replaced it with a low mile 305 before I bought it and it gets all sorts of stuff hauled around town and on my property. I’ll admit starting with a 350 or 383 might be easier to get big power out of but not everyone has that to start with so many people get down on a guy just trying to do some upgrades and manage a few more horses out of the 305’s. No one generally will help a guy out and point in the right direction because not many people have done it therefore they don’t know how and say it’s to expensive so why bother, just get a 350 block and start from there. Well thats a waste of a good engine and a missed opportunity to challenge yourself to make something good out of what you’ve got. I’ve got some big block cars and trucks also and that’s fine but there’s plenty you can do to a 305 just add some headers and a mild cam, port and polish the heads and intake, a little bigger carb or injection whatever you’ve got and you’re gonna feel it. Part of the problem is everyone scoffs at anything under 500hp these days. You don’t need 500-1000hp to have fun and get the job done unless you’re looking to end up wrapped around a tree…
Great video, Ill never put a person down for what his or her dream is. You know how many times I’ve been told “why a Durango” “those aren’t worth anything” A Durango NOT my dream vehicle but it’s what I have. I have come to find out that the Durango has a bunch of hidden potential. Anyways There many ways to build an engine. You don’t need big valves to do it either. I have a 305 Chad and I’m giving thought to building it as a test mule. I’m looking for a cheap set of 30 over pistons but no rush. Anyways thanks for the video. I enjoy them.
I got a 1990 c1500 with a 383 and as soon as I tell people that’s the motor I’m building they say why not just LS swap it? Yes LS engines are good and make great power but nothing beats the lopey idle of a sbc
Great video, and that “rant” was right on. Some people, like myself, just want a good, reliable, “semi” powerful motor. I’ve always heard a 305 is “junk.” I guess what they meant was, you can’t get as much power out of them. Not that they weren’t reliable.
Right. Reliability wise they're a small block Chevy, period. Can't run 2.02 or bigger valves due to the small bore but so what? 1.94 valve heads can make plenty of power. But at the end of the day even an also looked down on 307 will walk the 305 in the upper rpm range if you're planning on twisting it more than most street performance builds. But they aren't laying around everywhere anymore like the 305 still is.
Amen bub!! Too many people out here running down everyone else who can't put as much money in their builds as they can. We aren't all blessed with a silver spoon in our mouths. I drive a semi and have raised my family to appreciate what they have and never run down the next man for what he doesn't. I've walked away from several people for that very reason and some of them I thought were friends of mine. They need to remember that the man you step on today may be the one that picks you up tomorrow!🤠👍
Well said.
Amen brother. Ive got a hand me down 78 type lt Camaro with a305 sbc. Love that car to death. Sucks not having as much power as I want but it’s what I got and I own it 👍
Put a good intake, headers and cam in it and have a blast. Or keep it as is and enjoy it just the same.
My factory unmolested '81 in a g-body runs like a fine watch, no complaints!
I have buddy with a short bed chevy 305. Ede cam intake 500 carb headers and 390 gears. Not a race truck at all but a super fun trk to cruise around in burns tires sounds great
Mr, I have never had the privilege of watching your TH-cam channel before,. But I just cought your 305 video.
And I absolutely appreciate your your spirit.
It doesn't matter if it's a John Deere or a Kenworth,
Fun is fun , get out your tool box and get it to run.
I have a 305 that I rebuilt about 26 years ago and it's never let me down or left me walking.
Why a 305 ? Well I guess I wanted to be different from all the guys that were building 350s,. And I had gotten it for free and it was still a good running engine that did not smoke or knock. Being that it was free it allowed me a few extra dollars to use for parts.
It is bored.030 and has 10.25:1 compression and.450 lift crane cam along with a Edelbrock four barrel and intake, and long tube headers.
And I'm running a 700R4 behind it
In my 1977 long bed , I never had it dyno tested or anything, but I'd say it's got about 300hp and around 350ft tq.
And that is plenty enough to put a smile on my face and tow or haul what ever I need it for.
Tim from Wisconsin.
Thanks for tuning in Tim. I hope you enjoy the channel
Your “rant” just earned my subscription sir, common sense to me! Great video thanks!
Thanks
The 305 is definitely a bomb-proof engine. It's not my favorite, but there's nothing wrong with getting more performance with what you have.
Here here Ma Man
Absolutely!!🍺
Not much of a mechanic beyond oil changes, brake pads and spark plugs, but slowly getting into it so I can take better care of my 41 year old C10 with its original 305 and 3 speed automatic. Just amazes me these components can last so many decades and still work. Bought the truck for $900 hoping it would last a summer while I remodeled a home and then I'd sell it for scrap value. That was 11 years ago and she keeps running and running. Good video, learned a lot.
My 84 gmc c15 has been my favorite truck I have owned, 305 with a quadrajet, 5/7 drop runs and drives so smooth. My daughter's favorite ride to take to kindergarten!
Just wanna say thank you SS! I'll be honest with you. I'm just dipping my toes into the water. I know a little bit about engines but I'm not a professional. I got a heck of a deal on a camaro with a built 305 and the stock engine along with it. But I really appreciate you stepping up for us little guys who don't have a lot of information to make more power. All I have is a 315 on 350 vortec heads rolling rockers and efi block. Other than that I feel personally attacked and bullied online because I needed a running car and the 87 iroc was a dream come true. The man is giving me a box truck full of spare parts and I hope to see good things come from this setup. So again, thank you so much for using your platform and making me feel like I belong.
Absolutely nothing wrong with hot rodding a 305.
I had a 305 in my 84 3/4 ton with a granny 4 speed with a aftermarket cam in it. I was told it was a 350 when I bought the truck. And it ran great, even raced a built 70 chevelle way back when. Sure my truck wasn’t built to race. But I street raced it, my truck had a reputation as a fast truck. Not even knowing it was a built 305. I would build a stroke 305 in a heartbeat with some good 601 HO heads.
I've had a 84 c10 for about 4 or 5 years it sat up for a year or 2 cause I didn't have the money to fix er up but now I do and just found out it's a 305 and not a 350 like I was told.
Nothing wrong with that. Still plenty of fun can be had with a 305.
1992 Camaro with a 305/5 speed. World SR Torquer heads, comp xr 264hr-12 cam, Hooker headers and Magnflow exhaust. Edelbrock intake and runners. 13.24 @ 104.7. Not bad for the little engine that "couldn't"!!
I had a 305/5speed 91 Camaro and honestly that was a hot car
Agreed. 305 can make great power. I had a 91 camaro. Typical teal colored Ttop RS package that used to be common. With the LO3, 700R4 and the 273 geared rear end the car had great gas mileage on the freeway
Good stuff! Here’s my personal opinion, I prefer 350s by a long shot. However, I’ve owned a carb swapped 305 swb OBS with a 5 speed and small rv cam. Talk about a fun truck! It had more torque with that rv cam than my other 350 tbi 5 speed swb OBS.
I also just recently cam swapped a 305 that, unbeknownst to me, had a bad cam lobe when I bought it. That 305 is in a Camaro and has longtubes and 416 heads. That sucker seriously surprised me! Puts me back in the seat good.
Overall I’d prefer a 350 but the 305s are still fun to mess with.
Your words at the end of the video are what we need more of. I've always enjoyed cars shows and hanging at the drag strip where everyone will help you out.
Thanks
I have a 4.8 with aftermarket heads on it and a tune it does surprisingly well. Most people wouldn't hop up a 4.8 in much the same way. I love that little LS it's survived 16 years of my torture.
I’ m personally going to build my 305 as my 86 TransAm is all original matching numbers. The 305 HO was a reasonable quick car for the time . And even bone stock could hit 140+ . Out of the box back when I got it.
I had an 86 T/A with the tuned port 305. It would lay posi marks all day bone stock.
I think I'm gonna do the same, I have a #s matching 84 Z28 with the L69 H.O. 4 barrel engine. It runs great, it may not win every race but at a car show that's a different story. It actually does better than I ever expected, I've had faster cars. Big block Chevelles, all three 4th gens, 66 Nova that had a 4.88 gear as well as some other cars that were all faster than my current car. I like my current car for what it is, it's a good crusier that's more reliable than everything I used to own. It has more creature comforts like A/C and t tops, I'm not out drag racing all the time like I used to, in my area there's red light and speed cameras everywhere as well as speed bumps on many streets. For now, I'm sticking with the 305.
there wasnt any 86 305 h/o's bro....discontinued becuase of fuel boiling
I really like the 305 great engines for many projects. 4 barrel cam aluminum intake and headers will really wake them up factory cams really had the power potential of the 305 cut down. You have a great channel enjoy watching Thank You.
Thanks
And good video, really appreciate the part at the end talking about the current gatekeeping in the car community. People are really ruining what we used to have with forums and full build guides with pictures everyone trying to help each other, that stuff is disappearing nowadays.
Thanks.
I'd say the 305 is probably the ultimate kids v8 engine to learn on. Still cheap and plentiful in junkyards and sitting behind barns. Growing up in the 90s they were in everything, so when most of us got our first beater cars back then, we spent countless hours working on them to try to learn how to make more power. It was pretty common to see examples back then that had around 300+HP at the crank that were built in high-school car shops on the dirt cheap.
Yes! Preach it! I also get frustrated by those who put others down if they don’t have a 20K build. I appreciate you speaking up.
I put a edelbrock performer and 600 holley on my 85pickup with a 305 and I was very impressed with the power gains. Yes the 305 responds well with bolt ons.
How did it affect your mpg?
@@jakeschneider5491 I didn't check, but it seemed like the mileage was better.
Can you add a link
A link to what?
Thank you for this vid. Im a beginner, at 51, just bought my first hot rod. 84 z28 305h.o. Definitely on a budget, and not trying to race it. Its a rare auto form conversion, so i want to keep the motor original, with a mild build. Keeping my 305 and keeping it simple is my path. Its all about smiles per gallon! Great to know this info, and great to know that people are sharing knowledge.
Roller tip rockers headers and a decent cam is very cheap and can wake it up. You can have alot fun in that 84. I too am older I turned 50 in Oct. Finally getting start building toys again with grown kids and grand kids things are always on a budget.
I have six 305’s that I spent maybe $200 on total. I’m working with what I have. It’s a V8. However, I’m running ethanol only that I will make myself.
I appreciate your positive attitude! I took a junkyard 305 and put it in my squarebody, it has made a fine replacement for the lowly six cylinder that was original to that truck.
Just picked up a 305/200r4 from a 87 Monte Carlo SS. 65k miles for $400 fan to slip yolk. He was LS swapping it. So I got a great deal to get my car driving and he's doing his thing. Nice when everyone's doing the best they can with what they have.
Love the hat. Thank you for encouraging the lower budget guys. I found a running 305 for a hundred bucks and decided to do my very first, low risk, engine rebuild
Thanks, it's one of my favorite hats.
My grandpa who was a professional dirt late model racer and race engine builder, always said “ The best way to make a 305 run better is to pull it out and put a 350/355/358 or put the 383 stroker in it with a 400 crank” gramps called the 305 “cheap power” my dad said he always hated those 305’s but he gave one to my dad when he was younger and now my father and I are gonna pull it out the astro van and do it up. I know my grandpa will be laughing at us is heaven.
I always considered the 305 a cheap van engine, and growing up everyone said they were junk. But, in defense of the Chevy small block V-8? A lot of those big block guys would throw a rod on the track every weekend, and be back to tearing down an engine in the driveway again. I had a friend who had a 305 in a 2 door Monte Carlo, and I have to say it would get up pretty good. It beat my 78 LTD2 easily enough in a drag race.
I am here in n.e.ohio and a widow.My boo had a 305 in it and now a decent 350.If built right the 305 can be a good engine.
Had a G20 shorty with the L03 (TBI) 5.0 and the 700R4. Wasn't gonna win any races but I found her to have more than enough power to move that 6000 pound van around. My van had a towing package complete with the trans cooler and it did a great job towing. When I got her, the motor needed some serious love, so I changed fluids, gave a tune up and put seafoam through it. Even though it was mostly stock(I put a dual exhaust and larger open air intake from K&N) that little bit of love really woke her up. I've driven all sorts of vehicles(all the different size step vans, modern vans and pickups, straight trucks with 8 to 13 litre motors, and even city transit buses) and not once was I ever disappointed with how she ran or her performance. I miss that van....
I had a nice little 283 in a car back in the 90s
Heads, mild cam, intake, good exhaust.
That engine ran very strong.
had 283 prior 2 the 305.loved both.👍👍
New to your channel I have a 85 Scottsdale with a 305 I am very well pleased with the little engine it was my first v8 I've owned it since 2009 I have only watched one video of yours it was about the 305 it seems like u have a very nice channel love the old Square body's
Hello From Estonia!I have a 305,it’s cool little motor runs good.
I’ve but bigger cam,intake,headers ang new igniton in it…makes me smile every time i drive it…and there always be some guys saying “nice boad ancor”
Ive got a 68k 305 83 firebird with:
(lg4)
intake
headers
1.6 roller rockers
2.5 exhaust (single)
weight reduced.
5 speed.
and its a burn out machine!
glad to see people posting videos about this motor.
buddy i sure like your attitude about helping people out instead of putting people down
Thank you understanding the low budget people!
I am a low budget people. I try to have fun as cheap as I can.
Thanks for the rant… we all need honest, polite help when we are first starting something new to us !!!!
Good video, appreciate the time taken on this topic. In the years i have lurked/posted in squarebody forums or anything having to do with a 305, i have heard a ton of negativity towards it. So seeing this was refreshing. I have a 305 HO in my 87 R10 mated to a 700r4 and with a few upgrades here and there, its been really fun to drive over the years. I do plan on LS swapping for a 6.0l iron block, but thats a ways away. Thanks again for the video!
When I was 18 (32 now) I got an 83/84 Square with 185k miles on it. 305 with a 700R. I drove the piss out of that truck for several years, eventually ending up with over 235k miles on it. Started smoking a bit on startup and burning a little oil near the end, but still fired right up and ran fine. I pulled it and threw a 350 bored .30 over in it and am very happy. If you can get a 305 for cheap, take it. Never gonna be a high performance motor, but they run like tops, and are hard to kill. Great motor for young guys looking for their first vehicle.
I get one for $100... Came with ram horn manifolds, extra bell housing, new 2 barrel carb... I was happy to have it to have laying around for a spare
My 98 sierra 305 has 276,000 on the clock and is as dependable as you could ever want. Cheers from Jacksonville Florida 🌞
Your channel is dope and i appreciate you putting these videos together. Trying to figure out what to do with my 305 in my 86 monte.
Thanks
This is helpful I'm currently pepping my 305 up...I've added double hump heads 488 lift cam aluminum intake and headers hoping to make a little power
If it's what you got and you just want to bolt up a few add-ons they're really fun motors. Don't always need to be pushing crazy numbers or huge displacement. My favorite memories are driving an old monte ss with one and not once was I displeased. Great video!
What’s some good add one that don’t affect mpg?
10:35 This message is something many need to hear and be supportive of, particularly with rodders and builders. Wrench turning, especially with the younger generation, fewer and fewer are doing their own builds. The best teacher is experience and some helpful info could save inexperienced folks lots of time and grief.
I did that and Chad shot his mouth off to me so I deleted all my responses and unsubbed him.
All I did was accepted your challenge to a race.
@@SquarebodyStuff these are 100% class legal cars
@@SquarebodyStuff If I remember correctly you said a proven fact that David Vizard has used for 30+ years to win multiple races was "theoretical" and doesnt work in the real world. Then you told me to post videos, get 500 subs and meet you at the No Name Nationals. The What? Who is the race sponsor? Like Ill ever post a video on here and get subs. My home track is Gainesville Florida and local track is Memphis. You want a race you better bring something faster than squeaky (a lot faster) because my K/SA is my slowest car. Meet me in Memphis (a real track) and bring your wallet and Ill bring my Monte Carlo SS and my SS/J Super Stock Chevy II and show you what a mid 8 second car runs like at 160+ mph.
@@MasterWitchDoctor wow sweet pea calm down a bit, it sounds like you got your thong twisted up. I’m sure wherever you are from, you are a pretty big deal, and if so forgive me for not caring. But I think chad was trying to get you to make videos so you could show the world just how much knowledge you gained from sniffing David Vizards cheeks. Then bring one of those sweet 8 second hot rods out to show the world just how big your pecker is 😂. But I get it bein a keyboard warrior is tough and all. You got a real image to upkeep. I get it. I really do. And I tell ya , I think you could walk right over ole squeaky with your “Purpose Built sUpEr sToCkEr🤪. I would hope so. But if ya didn’t I would just laugh and laugh at you some more. Hell most of our street cars run mid 7’s in the 1/4 where I’m from, so fellas like yourself aren’t really on our radar. In conclusion you seem like a nice fella I’d like to line up with and put ya over my knee. So if ya ever do feel like bustin out one of those sweet super stockers 😂😂😂 tap a guy on the shoulder 😏
Great video. I have a 1986 Trans Am that I bought in 1990, it has the original 305 with 145,000 miles on it. Over the years I have thought about putting a 350 or 383 in it, but I would have to buy a crate engine (since I cannot build my own) plus I would also have to get another transmission & rear end to handle the extra horsepower, because they are also original, plus shop fees to do all the work, would lead to a lot of money. So that’s why I am looking for ideas to add more power to what I have.
I got a 1988 chevy g10 sportvan with a 305 TBI that I am doing a carb conversion on. I got edelbrock intake and carb and am picking up a set of 416s heads. Thanks for the knowledge brother and God bless you
Good tips for the 305 small block … I liked your comment about people don’t have to put other ideas down!! Good job with the positive message!!
Thanks
I just pulled my 305 from my 46 Plymouth to rebuild. Drivers side was slightly smoking. I gave it to the machine shop. I’ll give you an update when I get it back. I’m going stock as it’s my daily.
You have what you have. Any horse power gains on any engine is wonderful. Even 50 hp . An extra 100 hp is totally awesome. Using modified stock parts. Glorious.
Formula - - 1987 Caprice 305 roller, put it in 1982 Firebird, no smog gear, Rochester 4BBL adjusted as lean as was still drive-able - - 28 MPG and 15.3 quarter mile.
Just like you said at around 2:30 I have a 305 in my 87 transam. Just got it from my grandfather and I’ve been running it around thinking everything was great until I hit some roads for an hour or 2 in 100 degree weather and I had coolant pouring out the top of the reservoir. Took it to a shop and they found nothing wrong. Took it to a performance shop to get some mods done and they asked me why it was running so hot and I gave them the all clear to do a thermostat replacement and they said it opened up at 260 degrees. So this whole time I’ve been running around with no coolant in my block to the point that coolant is spilling out the reservoir and the thing still runs perfectly fine.
Change the oil after an overheat.
Rebuilding one right now. New rod, main and cam bearings, xe268h Comp cam, new .550 lift valve springs, double roller timing chain, new push rods, roller tip rockers, shorty headers, Holley dual plane intake, 650 Holley, msd ignition.
I really do appreciate this video and the message I have a 1979 Camaro with a 305 got it where it runs perfect like roadtrip worthy I pulled emissions junk off of it put a summit racing exhaust and headers on it and put a intake and a 4bbl carb on it and now I'm looking to cam it and I will always hear these old guys say all this money should've done a 350 but it's numbers matching and it's my first carbureted car I am learning on
I have plenty of videos on my channel of what 305's are capable of. Cam that thing and hurt some feelings buddy!
I loved my 305. Roller block, Flat tops, vortec heads, lt4 hot cam, long tubes, knock off copy of a performer rpm, and a 650 Holley. Made 340hp at the crank and was a blast in that little Vega.
wrong cam buddy, the 305 heads are designed to flow max between .400 and .450 lift. With 1.5 ratio rockers your LT4 hotcam is .492 lift and only cost you hp above .450 due to parasitic stress on the crank. Another reason its wrong is because the lobe separation angle is wrong for a 305. The proven formula for determining the correct LSA is 128 - (cubic inches / number of cylinders / intake valve size x .91) = 128 - (305 / 8 / 1.84 x .91) = 109.14470, yours in 112 which is costing you hp and torque just in the overlap alone. Using this formula you will never have to guess as to what works and what doesnt. I used it when I had the cam in my NHRA K/SA Monte Carlo SS ground and on Eddie Carlisle's dyno my L69 makes 427 hp @ 6700 rpm with unported heads, stock intake, and Rochester carb with 9.5:1 compression and VP C10 fuel. FYI my custom ground cam has .403 lift intake .415 lift exhaust (stock numbers) which is right in spec with the flow numbers of the 081 centerbolt heads (the best non vortec 305 heads). So you ask how fast is my K Stock Monte Carlo? It runs a consistent 11.60s @ 118 mph and has put more cars on the trailer than I care to remember. This is a car that the weight factor is 3286 lbs with my driver so its not on a diet like most of the not stock classes.
@MasterWitchDoctor I built my entire engine for less than $650. I may have not used the optimal parts but I had no complaints. It did its job and still does in my son's s10. Been dead reliable and has enough oomph to roast the tires til they blow.
@@radster8760 you dont need to spend a ton of money unless youre competing in an NRHA sanctioned class like Stock Eliminator or Super Stock. And in the blink of an eye theyll come tear you down and check everything if any of the whiners cry because they got put on a trailer by a 305.
@MasterWitchDoctor I never ran sanctioned races. Just at my local 1/8th mile track. Best of 8.50 with bad suspension and street tires.
@@radster8760 with a 305?
I have had several 305s and I currently drive a 79 c10 long bed 305 and I love it. I am planning to cam it and. Quadrajet swap it.
I love it when you say don't trash talk let them down had that happen to me when I said I wanted to put a 305 in a ford ranger well its in and almost ready to go
Both my chevy 305 motors have turbocharger, the 83 Caprice has a HX35 turbo, 77 Firebird HX40, both RV camshaft, dual intake manifold, homemade turbocharger piping....the key too make them live with non forged pistons is gapping piston ring for boost. I perfer water injection cooling misting over a intercooler. 77 Pontiac 416 heads are ported plus both have 1.6 rocker arm on the intake side.
Awesome
Great video 👍
I’ve built many 305’s and yes you can do a lot with them, more than what people give them credit for.. for as helping someone, I build and document here on TH-cam play by play and explain what you can do different that works for you, when someone ask a question I’m at the age where I’ll give you best answers, I don’t compete anymore and will help someone with the old school engine, I got one on the way now for a guy in his twenties, he will know some old timers tricks time I’m done with him (it will be documented for anyone else that’s wants to know), I currently now just buy, do some conversion on the squarebody show and sell.. A lot of channels out there will not reply to one’s questions like it’s a big secret, I mentor a lot of builds, questions every day. I looked on TH-cam to find a channel that dose play by play from start to finish, they only show a lot of what they did not the how, Im documenting the one I got now from when I got it play by play to the show in 4 months..I really enjoy your content, not many of us left that will help someone if they ask about something. I’m a long time follower of your channel, I just don’t comment much 😀.. keep the content coming, really enjoy it and Thanks for sharing with us 👍
Thanks. We appreciate what you are doing.
Dad, has a 86 caprice with a 305 engine setting at the shop for a very long time, Im planning on working on it as a start to work on my skills and become more knowledgeable on automotive mechanic
WE just build a 305 as a learn how to build an engine motor. It was a lot of fun. It came with our truck and it sounds pretty good. Turned out to be a fun build and fun to learn on. Ours is running in a 1963 Chevy c10 with a 3 on the tree. WE aint trying to go fast haha
Great video! A set of 601 or 416 heads, RV cam, aftermarket aluminum 4 barrel intake, and a set of long tube headers will really wake up a 305. And still get decent gas mileage.
Don't say that too loud. You might offend some of the master engine builders on Facebook. 😅🤣😅
I had a suburban that ended up being a 305... That thing got Awsome fuel mileage
So just like any other small block Chevy.
@@workingmansrestorations7071 . I always picture a 305 wheezing hard when pushing a 5000+ pound "pre SUV" but glad it ran great for you.
I love the 305 good little engine I did one up put a set of vortec 305 heads and an lt1 factory cam ran great and as far as I know still running great buddy of mine needed the engine for his dad's truck so we took it out of my s10 and put it in his dad's square body
That vortec head combo should be the hot ticket, I'll be doing it on mine real soon. And it's all factory parts to boot.
I have a 305 in my 79 monte and fitech injection feels awesome on the 305 with headers and intake
Hey Chad, first time viewing your video on 305 I've found it to be informative and simply narrated looking forward for more info as regards to this topic. T.l.A
Sir I appreciate you sticken up for us little guys cuz I got a 305 in my Excalibur and just want to make it better that's what came in it so that's what I'm going to stick with .
Thanks. There's room in this world for all of us. Not everyone wants or needs a 1500hp twin turbo engine under the hood. A 300hp 305 can be plenty of fun and not break the bank.
305 is a good engine. In the 80s a friend of mine had one in a 1987 Monte SS and other mods (cam or chip) of the existing engine that made it a tire roaster. It was previously owned (before bought) by somebody who was part of a Monte Carlo club and the car ripped. We do not know what the mods we're but it ran excellent.
@@robertgoodwinr6523 yep I dated a girl in Dallas that had an 85 iroc 305 maaaaan! And had a friend in Arkansas with a el Camino 305 I dunno but maaaaan!
I'm eagerly awaiting my 305's return from the machine shop ... lost an oil pressure sensor while my son had it , pumped all the oil out on the ground then almost seized . And still made it almost all the 177.5 miles back home . I figgered since it was going to have to be rebuilt why not improve it some . So it's getting a .030 overbore with flat tops for a c/r of around 9.5-9.75:1 ("h" code motor), heads got a 3 angle valve seat job to go with the Elgin e-922-p cam - .444/288° intake and .466/298° exhaust with 112° lobe separation . It's also getting an Edelbrock Performer with a 600 or 650 Holley on top , exhausting thru a set of small/long tube headers , 2" exhaust tube with Thrush Hush muffs . Backing up the motor will be a 700R4 with a shift kit and a 3.42:1 gear set in the rear axle . It has 2.73's right now , I expect great things from this combo when I finish it . I hope it idles fairly smooth , my objective is "sleeper" ...
Sounds like a solid build. That cam should idle good. Smooth with a little lump and plenty of vacuum.
Building my first 305 in my 86 el Camino got a mild street cam to put on gonna get a set of header and intake then upgrade to a better 4 barrel carb then my stock one
Pretty much any small block chevy can run well. Get your compression up in the 9's. Then add a lil bit bigger cam, headers, duals, good intake & 4 barrel. Get the dizzy setup right and have fun 👍👍
Stick shift helps too 😊
As a disabled veteran I only get around $500 a month and I lost my job due to my PTSD. So for us who only have a 305 there is no way I can just go out and drop a fat dime to get the power. I'll have to take my time and work with what I have. Thank you for the info. I think how quiet she is that will be the first thing she will get. Keep up with the good video.
You'll be surprised on the potential.
@@SquarebodyStuff sweet time will tell. My dad's old truck. Runs fantastic but lack in power.
you are expected to live on $500/month? as a military vet? thats DEPLORABLE!!
First off thank you for your service Sir. The next thing is toys are never truly finished so one part at a time has worked for me. I have had the big 468 builds also the 1000 dollar 5.0. Builds at the end of the day it was all fun. Gears seem to always make the biggest difference.
Outstanding good sir!! Love your soap box moment because I’m one of those tryin to learn. Great explanation. An idea I would like to see is a comparison/discussion between the 305, 307 and 302 motors. Keep up the good work!
Thanks. Small displacement comparison would be a good conversion. Although the 302, in my opinion, is in a different class.
Love it! I have the most hated L03 tbi in my ‘89 firebird. It only has 35k on the clock and it sat for some time. Im going to refresh and run that with better heads intake and exhaust, shift kit and better gears!!!
TBI's are so reliable, great mpg
The only thing I see wrong with a 305 is they are cam eaters and the valve seals.
Yeah the 305 will wake up with boost and respond very well; the thicker head gasket between the cylinders make it better resistant to being blown, also the rotating assembly crank rods and pistons are lighter 👍🐎
Nice video. I might be building a c1500 it has a 305 with it but I want it to be pretty peppy but on a budget
Had a 305 out of a wreck z28 4bbl aluminum intake factory. Did put a cam in it!
305s always hold a place in my shop. They're cheap, infinite aftermarket being an SBC, absolute tanks, and just fun. As much as I've leaned into LS builds recently my favorite build is that cheap teenage hotrod build. And really theres nothing more smile inducing than a $100 305 pull with a thumpr, long tubes, and a holley dialed up to about 1000rpm idle just chopping and spittin' like a full tilt track car.
Yup
Great information Man thanks for the good news
Keep preaching. U should be a speaker to people lol. Well said
Thanks. I try not to get on my soap box very often. But sometimes I have to get
It off my chest.
I have a 1982 pontiac trans am with a 305 crossfire fuel injection. All original still runs good. Heck this car still has its original mufflers. And yes he is all decked out to look like kitt from classic knight rider.
I fully agree with you about hot rodding in general. Not everyone has a $10 000 dollar budget for the engine.
You can buy a three fifty Chevy motor in a crate brand new for about a grand
@@rodneyhopper22 maybe you could in 1985.
They make good brim beds.
Power Nation just did one and it makes close to 600 Hp and 570 Tq even Eric Holdener did one so yes I would say that the 305 is a daily sleeper also the Olds 307.
I've been working on a stroker 305. It should be pretty interesting to see what it makes.
If you put 350 heads on a 305, you will have a low compression 305 with potential valve to block interference issues.
If you can find a set (since they no longer make them), get a set of World Products S/R Torquer 305 heads. 1.94/1.5 valves with 58cc chambers and great flow ... these heads with a Holley 650, a Bow Tie LT-1 intake, a good RV cam (say, 220~ duration at .050, 110 LSA, .46 lift etc), you can easily make 300HP with one. I've built a few 305s over the years, and sometimes to show up the 'get a 350' crowd.
Just remember, a 305 is still a Small Block Chevrolet, and responds to mods the way any Small Block Chevrolet will. BTW, Mortec is an excellent site.
I have an 88’ Sierra, that my was late pawpaw’s truck it has 305 out of an 87 grand prix that I plan to build a 339 stroker out of and playing with the idea on adding a twin turbo kit also
The 339 I'm building will end up Boosted at some point. For now, I'll just send it with some nitrous
I love the budget builds! i have a 68 camaro with a 283 and a 1970 corvette with a 307! yes a 307! these were basic stock cast piston motors with small cams and cast intakes with qjet carbs and headers,! the camaro runs low 13s and the corvette feels like a 13 second second car (we shall see this spring when the track opens)
I'd love to hear what that 283 sounds like. That's cool as fuck man
@@skyreach669 th-cam.com/users/shortsfZfavFJr1Eo?feature=share
Here is the 283 when it was in the Camaro last season! It now has a budget RV 454 that just went 12.72 @104 I also have some videos of that build as well!
Great Vid. I have a 305 for Chevy Caprice.
I like your honesty I have a 3ed gen camaro with a 305 it's been built up I'm 71 years old the first time I drove it it scared the hell out of me it has a holley 4 berl carb it seems to pass up eny thing on the road except a gas station is there something I can do too bring it down a bit with out braking the bank thanks ln advance. Skip saul
The easiest thing would be to not push the go fast pedal as hard. Lol.
It was 1992.
Big mortgage.
Car payment for wife's Yukon.
3 kids to feed. I needed a pickup 🛻. Purchased a 3/4 ton. Chev extended cab. Pretty bare bones with a 305. Cheapest new truck on the dealership lot. 17 city. 24 hywy.
$18k
I love my truck.
Old Reliable I call her. 230,000 miles.
Running STRONG!!!
Only a fool disrespects that.
Never Never Lake, Alaska.
Awesome man!
Can you make a video on how to install a tachometer in the factory fuel gauge and relocate the fuel gauge to the smaller 4 gauge pod side of the cluster?
Totally Agree with your comments towards the end of the video. I came across a Jasper 305 a few years ago. It was a roller camshaft so I converted it to a hydraulic lifter with a summit 00052 lopey cam and mechanical fuel pump. It runs great and sounds even better. Most gear heads think it's something radical. When I tell them it's a 305 they're shocked. usually they make fun of me or ask why I didn't build a 350 blah blah blah. I learned to deal with the haters over the years. Usually anyone that has something negative to say about a 305 has NEVER even built a motor before. So ignore these people. One plus of my 305 is it eats 87 ethanol gas all day long with zero pinging. Sure a 350 makes more power, but a 305 is a great cruiser, cheap to find, can be snappier with different gears, and I kinda like all the hate I get for seeing value in a very reliable motor. I love my 305. Everyone else can kiss it. 👄💄
when they ask why didnt you build a 350 say: to beat you I only needed a 305. That shuts them right up.
My grandma' thought you was a wimp
She can't drive 55 mph
I guess if that's what you want to do is cruise the boulevard .I like a true muscle car though with at least a 350 engine with enough grunting power numbers to back up the looks of my ride w a lopey Cam a set of head's on at least a 350 cubic motor I'm not interested w a 305 Chevy motor 🙄 duh dude I'm not impressed with such a joke of a motor
Pucker up butter cup I'm sorry for your waste and time spent on it
I daily drive a 2002 Sierra 4.8 V8 with 3.42 gears. Great on fuel economy and reliable. I considered doing a 5.3 or 6.0 swap, but the 4.8 fits my needs better since I don't have a heavy foot. Now I'm looking at a 80's C10 305 so I'm doing some research. The C10 I just want as a cruiser since my dad had one when I was a kid. You're video helped give me some piece of mind. Thank you!
305's. Are great cruisers.
had a bud in El Paso. he ran 305 in his FJ 40. man couldn't kill that thing. did a lot of wheeling at Red Sands.
They are hard to kill.!
Love your video I'm that guy that wants to upgrade his 305 keep it original in rhe car and have more power if I get close to 400 great if not I'll take what I can I'm 34 just started working on cars a few years ago cu not I finally have some money and time to do what I always wanted thanks for all the information brother
Stay tuned on my channel. I'm in the middle of building a stroker 339 (305 block with 3.75" 383 crank)
Back in the 90,s i had a rs camaro with a tbi 305. Very reliable and fun car. I did play with it but only externally. Edlebrock aluminum intake, headers, msd ignition and some tbi mods that were out there more plentiful at that time and a computer chip that i believe was hypertech. Main thing i remember is a very reliable, good running car. The only thing that bothered me was it seemed to be very sensitive to spark knock (detanation) i believe that could be easily taken care of with some work aimed at specifically working on that problem.
I just found your channel and have subscribed. I totally agree with you. Not all of us have a big budget. I have a ‘72 Chevelle Malibu with 307. I am second owner of the car. It was my first car. I have owned it since 1981. It only has 100,925 original miles on it. I don’t have $$ to go get a 350. So a friend of mine and I are going to have some fun with what I have. I think we are going to replace heads, intake, cam and of course carb. We are going to do a little at a time. I understand that she isn’t going to make massive power, but I don’t care. We just want to wrench and have fun. She was my first. She has sat neglected for a long time , but she’ll come around. Keep bringing the great content.
Man, this is the kind of comments that make what I do worth it, and completely my point. Have fun with what you have or can afford. Make that 307 scream!!!
@@SquarebodyStuff I might have to take that stock 2 barrel cab off and give it a good cleaning/ rebuild. What would you recommend for a cheap rebuild kit? Carb has a 2 and the word Jet cast in the top of it. It is what came in it from factory in ‘72
It should be a Rochester 2 jet. If you can afford it. Find a good used 4bbl intake and carb. But if rebuilding the 2 jet is the go to, any parts house should be able to find the right re build kit for it if you have the numbers off the carb or give them the info on the car.
@@SquarebodyStuff I am ultimately going to give her a 4bbl and intake, but right nowI just want to get her running again. She has not ran since 1989. Been sitting in an old chicken coop.
I totally get that. Sometimes those ole 2 jets don't need any parts, just a cleaning. I would try that first before spending money on a kit.
Video's like this I do appreciate. Rather than waiting 3 to 4 months out for a rebuilt SBC 350 to ship, I bought locally a 305 that came out of an 84' K5 Blazer. I had no choice in the matter, complaints about the 81' Malibu sitting have been ramping up. Being that the car was optioned for 229 v6, 305 v8, or 350, I will soon have something that the car was meant for. Yes I will be purchasing performance parts for the engine at a later date. High dollar LS motors don't interest me at this point, they only really use them for Street or Drag racing anyway. I am just trying to put a classic back on the road where it belongs.
Thanks, good luck on the build. Just have fun with it . That's the main goal anyways.
Headers and an intake manifold help. But watch out! Most are to large and can actually Slow Down your airflow. It's all about maintaining velocity, port matching,even with the stock intake manifold,and a little bowl work cost little ( DIY) but really help w/ small ci. Depending on the local emissions regulations, 302, Z28 intake manifolds should be about right. But those engine's ran at high RRRs... maybe instead of a 400 crank and 334 cid...a 327 crank and cam with significant duration could make more horse pressure on top.(?)
I have zero experience with the 305. The only interactions I have with them is with people telling me how awful they are. I often wonder how much of their opinion is made up of actual experience vs anecdotal information (ideas just parroted from "the forums").
Hot Rodding feels like it has become very high-end and exclusive. You get the feel that if you're not doing a 1000HP LS/Coyote swap you're not doing anything. The whole idea of hot rodding was to make it better. I blame the litany of car shows available these days. They've done a good job of piquing interests, but they've also skewed people' perceptions. Kinda like trying to buy old cars. Now everybody thinks their old rusty junker is worth tons of money regardless of what it is.
the people that misinformed you...🤔 awful hunh.?
305 is fantastic for a daily driver and you can tow with it. I'd spring to rebuild one, new pistons, overbore, but it will not blow the doors off a 350/383, love the smaller bore for what it is, a trouble-free runner that's smooth as silk and taken decent care of, will outlast you.
love your last comment about being positive and not putting down new guys. Not everything has to be a blown LS making 1,000HP......and tbh I don't think I have the nerves to drive something with that much power.
I enjoy watching and listening to you.... Hello from Denmark :)
Thanks. I appreciate that.
Thank you for the rant! This day and age has become remarks made on electronic communications. Don't loose the thought that there is a person flesh and blood you are talking to. They may not have the resources or disposable income that some do. Bea good shepherd.
I have an 82 Chevy pickup with a 305 and fairly low miles the problem I have is the rocker arms walking off the valve stems I will be looking into a 350 to replace it
I agree. I’ve had a ton of fun with 305 engines in third gen Firebirds and Camaros as well as a few late 70s square body pickups. I currently own a 77 C20 with a swapped 305 and its a great truck, originally came with a 350 but the previous owner blew the engine and replaced it with a low mile 305 before I bought it and it gets all sorts of stuff hauled around town and on my property. I’ll admit starting with a 350 or 383 might be easier to get big power out of but not everyone has that to start with so many people get down on a guy just trying to do some upgrades and manage a few more horses out of the 305’s. No one generally will help a guy out and point in the right direction because not many people have done it therefore they don’t know how and say it’s to expensive so why bother, just get a 350 block and start from there. Well thats a waste of a good engine and a missed opportunity to challenge yourself to make something good out of what you’ve got. I’ve got some big block cars and trucks also and that’s fine but there’s plenty you can do to a 305 just add some headers and a mild cam, port and polish the heads and intake, a little bigger carb or injection whatever you’ve got and you’re gonna feel it. Part of the problem is everyone scoffs at anything under 500hp these days. You don’t need 500-1000hp to have fun and get the job done unless you’re looking to end up wrapped around a tree…
Great video, Ill never put a person down for what his or her dream is.
You know how many times I’ve been told “why a Durango” “those aren’t worth anything” A Durango NOT my dream vehicle but it’s what I have. I have come to find out that the Durango has a bunch of hidden potential.
Anyways There many ways to build an engine. You don’t need big valves to do it either. I have a 305 Chad and I’m giving thought to building it as a test mule. I’m looking for a cheap set of 30 over pistons but no rush.
Anyways thanks for the video. I enjoy them.
I got a 1990 c1500 with a 383 and as soon as I tell people that’s the motor I’m building they say why not just LS swap it? Yes LS engines are good and make great power but nothing beats the lopey idle of a sbc
Really good video
In particular I really like your views on people starting out
Agree with you totally
Great attitude, well done
Thanks.
305 in my friends 84 camaro with edelbrock intake and carb without smog was darn fast. We were curious if it had a special cam.
Great video, and that “rant” was right on. Some people, like myself, just want a good, reliable, “semi” powerful motor. I’ve always heard a 305 is “junk.” I guess what they meant was, you can’t get as much power out of them. Not that they weren’t reliable.
Thanks.
Right. Reliability wise they're a small block Chevy, period. Can't run 2.02 or bigger valves due to the small bore but so what? 1.94 valve heads can make plenty of power. But at the end of the day even an also looked down on 307 will walk the 305 in the upper rpm range if you're planning on twisting it more than most street performance builds. But they aren't laying around everywhere anymore like the 305 still is.