upgrade to 350?

[83HighSierra]

Im just starting a project and im pretty sure it has a 305 in it. my question is should i put performance parts on the 305 or get a rebuilt 350. I plan on this truck being a daily driver but i still want a little punch to it, so what do you guys suggest?

[VileZambonie]

If you can get your hands on a 350 build that instead

[Captkaos]

I agree, rebuild a 350 and swap them out.

[83HighSierra]

Well i live in a apartment complex, so i couldnt pull it here. and nobody i know would be able to keep it at there house. so it looks like im stuck with the 305 for right now. What order do you suggest that i upgrade it? Thanks in advance

[FlatBlack77]

If you want to upgrade the 305, try to stick with things that you can switch over to a 350 should you ever decide to. Such as exhaust, carb, maybe intake manifold, ignition, ect.

[83HighSierra]

so what is the best manifold, carb, and other transferable parts?

[Captkaos]

That would be too generic of a question and subject to opinion.  Example: I hate carbs, so none of them are the best, I like EFI.  If I had to pick a carb I would always go with a Q-jet which is what it probably already has.  Being in a complex where you are going to be under scrutiny, will make somethings difficult.  Pulling and intake off for example.

We need specifics on what you hope to accomplish, how much are you planning on spending?  Is this you daily driver? Etc...

[83HighSierra]

Well as of right now its not a daily driver but as soon as i get the ac fixed it will be. i dont want to turn it into a dragster just something that has alot of punch to it and is loud. About my spending limit, im only 17 so maybe a couple hundred every week, but whatever upgrades yall suggest are the best i could save up for it.

[Captkaos]

If you just got it I personally would start with the important stuff.  Brakes, shocks, hoses, tune-up.  Most people start with exhaust, what kind in on there now?  Do you plan to put headers on it?  The intake is something you can possibly do yourself in a day.  Pick one that has a range of about 1500-5500rpms.  Edelbrock is what I typically buy.
Keep in mind you aren't going to make alot of power gains with these since it is going on an older engine.

[83HighSierra]

It has dual exhaust but it some cheap off brand kind. I plan to put headers on it one point, which one do you suggest? Did yoiu mean that no matter what i put on it it wont get much power gain. is there anything in particular that i should get?

[Lt.Del]

If your truck feels kind of sluggish to your taste, you can always drop the rear end gear ratio to a lower gear (higher numerically). She'll jump off the line quicker and feel like a jump in horsepower--that is until you get up to interstate driving speeds.

[thomas]

i have a 305 too. i did a complete rebuild with new cam, heads, intake, headers, custom chip, but i kept the TBI for now. all of those will sawp to a 350, too.

[treny]

I did it (305-350) makes a big difference stock , Do it Bud you wont regret it.

[85MudMonster]

I know Chevy 350's are common and easily avaliable, they practically grow on trees, but I am not the kind of guy to do what eveyone else does. I don't want a BBC, I'd like to stick to a SBC, but what other feasable options are there besides the 350, that will make about 300hp, and like 350-400ft/lbs of torque and still be a good daily driver engine....BTW, sorry to tread jack, but I felt this was along the same lines as this...

[VileZambonie]

your most cost effective and practical method will be the 350. If you want unique then custom build your own engine. I built my friend from an Olds 350 block a 362. I used 425 pitons and bore it .068 over to fit. It's unique but still more work with less results. If you wanna stick to sbc and don't want a 350 then build a 400 or a stroker or destroke a 400