upgrade to 350?

[Lt.Del]

Yeah, 383 stroker, yeah, that's the ticket.  Mine has 335 hp and 415 ft lbs torque.

[78ScottsdaleK20]

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...

Here's my 2 pennies worth,

I have a 4 bolt main 350 ci with a Speed Pro RV Torquer .448 lift 214 @50 112 degree lobe sep. Has Federal Mogul flat top Hyper pistons w/ 9.5 Comp Ratio. Stock .194 heads. Edelbrock Performer EPS and Edelbrock 600 cfm #1406 carb. Hedmenn Headers and 2 1/2 true dual exhaust. I have not dynoed it, but the pro that built it (I assembled the top end) told me this recipe of parts "should" put out between 285-325 hp and 325 ft lbs of torque.

If you want more ponies and torque then opt for better heads and cam combo. This setup was relatively inexpensive $950 for the long block, and total package with top end ran around $1500 with everything to run. This is very streetable, reliable and exonomical with gas. I run 87 octane with good results, approximately 10-12 mpg city and not much better on the highway as I have a 3 spd with granny and 4:10 gears on a 5,300 lb 3/4 ton with 35's.

This setup is good on power from idle to 5,500 RPM's with most usable power at 1,500-3,500. Great low end.

Hope this helps and like mentioned before I would find a 350 and start there, even if you have to wait and pay a little more than the 305. You'll be glad you did.

Mike

[Fordeatinz71]

we had this debate on an old 3rd gen F-body (Camaro/Firebird) forum i was on...and we even had a guy throw 10g's into a 335 stroker (305 stroker) and he was HUGELY disappointed when he was done.  you'll never get the bang-for-your-buck out of a 305 that you will from a 350.  if you have the money to switch to a 350, do it.  i have an '83 Sierra too, and while the 305 is "adequate", i'm also switching to a 350...already got the 350, that puppy goes in right after XMas...along with a new tranny...

as to what can switch over to a 350...EVERYTHING can. 

[Lt.Del]

Isn't the starter bolt pattern different.  On a 305 isn't the two bolts parallel with the block end.  And on a 350, they are offset.  I never had a 305, but, when scavenging in junk yards, i only get starters w/ bolt patterns offset.

[VileZambonie]

305 starters are different.

[Fordeatinz71]

i stand corrected...but that's a $35 part...i think your bank account will recover...