mildy-hotrodded 305 questions

[Elpresidente]

So, my original plan was to build a 400sb for my '82 C10. Not the case anymore, i've decided to save the block for a later build.
Instead, i've decided to make due with what I already have - a smooth running, reliable 305.

The idea is (for now) to add headers, dual exhaust, and an intake manifold & carb that will give me some mild performance for the 305,
 but will be compatible for the 400 when I do decide to build it.

Right now i'm looking at the Edelbrock performer intake, and the Edelbrock performer carb (OR the BG Road Demon).

I've seen this done a few times. opinions/suggestions?

[Stewart G Griffin]

i'll get back to you on this, but in the meantime 305 blocks can't have 4bolt mains added to them per chevy power manual pg. 5-7.   Not that it would make a difference here, but i thought i would pass it along......

[Grim 82]

All of those bolt-on items will swap right over for your 400. An Edelbrock intake and carb is a good setup. With the carb choice, for best performance you will need it set up right for your motor, and the performer series of carbs is about as easy as it gets to tune. You will probably have to set it up again down the road when you swap in an extra 100 cubes. I don't know anything about the demon carbs.

[Elpresidente]

Sweet, I was hoping to hear that.
My only concern is the EGR valve on my intake, i've been told that I need it for the engine to run smoothly, or I can just plug the vacuum line going to it.

SO, should I find an intake & carb that accept the EGR, or will it be alright if I just eliminate it?
Thats the only question I really have otherwise.

[Grim 82]

I would scrap the EGR, but you may or may not need it where you live to meet smog type criteria. Removing the EGR was one of the first things I did to clean up my engine bay, and now I use a performer intake that doesn't have any provision for it and it works just fine.

[Elpresidente]

Perfect.
And no, I live in northwestern Ontario where mufflers on pickup trucks seem to be an option rather than a requirement. Nevermind emissions requirements from 1982, lol

[Armor]

a heads up on smog police now. I got nailed last summer(in april) and fined for every item not on my truck that was required by factory. It doesn't matter if its not e-tested anymore, they are nazi's.  I needed AIR Pump, EGR, pcv hose to air cleaner(i know right), cats(was gonna do it anyway), smog canister, and rad overflow.  its $360 per infraction, i got out of it with  $300 ticket only by saying it was my dads truck and i don't know anything about cars. it might not be a concern up there right now, but ive heard that the ontario gov. is putting more resources into the eco-squads that roam the highways and pull over anyone with an older type vehicle. they are pushing north now so soon enough they might come your way.

just giving the heads up, its rediculous but to them its the law.
morgan

[Psycho71]

My advice....  Go ahead and go with the performer rpm intake. Not much lost on the low end torque with the 305, but a decent gain on the mid range for the future 400 upgrade. If you decide to go with a holley based carb, just get a holley. I think out of the dozen or so people I know who have ever owned a BG demon, only two or three of them ever worked like they should have. I prefer Holley over eldebrock/weber carbs. But that's a matter of opinion/experience.

Overall, don't expect a huge performance difference unless you throw a cam or something in the 305. But I understand not dumping too much money into an engine that you don't plan to run long. Just make sure the things you buy will jive with your future build plans. A regular performer intake is barely a step above a stock intake. So not much gain from that. It'll be hard to get a carb that will work on both if you plan to go very radical on the 400. but again, a holley is very tuneable in this respect. A good street avenger sized for the 305 (570 cfm), then jetted up later for the 400, or vice versa. The street avengers all use the 4150 platform, so they are fairly easy to "upgrade" I'd think. I run  670's on a mild 350 & and a moderate 350 and they work awesome.

Also, one of the best upgrades for any sbc is in the timing. Get a recurve kit for the HEI, as well as a timing light, and adjustable vacuum advance. There are several tutorials online about how to set up an hei for optimum performance, something the factory did NOT do.

[Elpresidente]

Appreciate the advice, thanks!

[malibu795]

a small cam like a with roung 420" lift would do wonder of the little guy.. it did on mine.. i went as far as swaping 305 tourquer heads form world products on... def made a screamer..

oem cams are VERY small .300-.350 lift at best.

[roadrage41]

As an aside, Barry grant is pretty much out of business. Every product in the line was added to our close out list at the beginning of the month with a 100% no returns policy, kinda sad, but they were pretty notorious for really poor quality control.

[Psycho71]

As an aside, Barry grant is pretty much out of business. Every product in the line was added to our close out list at the beginning of the month with a 100% no returns policy, kinda sad, but they were pretty notorious for really poor quality control.

Somehow that doesn't surprise me..

[1980c10]

My advice....  Go ahead and go with the performer rpm intake. Not much lost on the low end torque with the 305, but a decent gain on the mid range for the future 400 upgrade. If you decide to go with a holley based carb, just get a holley. I think out of the dozen or so people I know who have ever owned a BG demon, only two or three of them ever worked like they should have. I prefer Holley over eldebrock/weber carbs. But that's a matter of opinion/experience.

Overall, don't expect a huge performance difference unless you throw a cam or something in the 305. But I understand not dumping too much money into an engine that you don't plan to run long. Just make sure the things you buy will jive with your future build plans. A regular performer intake is barely a step above a stock intake. So not much gain from that. It'll be hard to get a carb that will work on both if you plan to go very radical on the 400. but again, a holley is very tuneable in this respect. A good street avenger sized for the 305 (570 cfm), then jetted up later for the 400, or vice versa. The street avengers all use the 4150 platform, so they are fairly easy to "upgrade" I'd think. I run  670's on a mild 350 & and a moderate 350 and they work awesome.

Also, one of the best upgrades for any sbc is in the timing. Get a recurve kit for the HEI, as well as a timing light, and adjustable vacuum advance. There are several tutorials online about how to set up an hei for optimum performance, something the factory did NOT do.

very good advice ,but why not go with a 670 and jet it down for the 305 and then re-jet it later for the 400
btw-I also run a 670sa on my 350 and it is jetted up from stock-good carb IMO.