What do I need?

[Dragon]

You're right that's what it does, but only within certain parameters.  A chip simply redefines those parameters based on displacement, cam, compression, increased head flow, so on, and so on.  And plus that chip Vile showed you is cheap, why not go for it?

I know you guys probably don't care, but my dad was yelling, having a fit because I mentioned buying a chip for my truck. He started saying how I'm not building a high performance racer (which I'm not) and I don't need some chip to give me the best performance out of my engine. He also said that if I buy this chip, then I'm screwed because nobody will work on it when there's a problem because it's a modification that is "too complex" or "not factory." That's the difference between him and I. When he does something, he'll do the bare minimum to get it to work. When I do something, I get everything I need to make my "project" the best it can be, even if it means spending some extra money.

So by not installing the chip, will the motor run like crap? How about harming the motor?

Tell your Dad, to properly take advantage of the money that was already spent, you need atleast a Factory Programmed Chip, otherwise it is going to be a dog and not run correctly....   Let him also know that nobody will want to work on somebody elses problem, when they haven't already taken the time to use the proper parts.....  Also any Shop under the sun will be Happy to Repair anything within reason, despite the parts, cause that is how they make money.....  Just to cover themselves, they will have you sign a Waiver saying that they are correcting your mistakes, and any damages or repairs needed will be paid for in full....

Besides if the Shop really wanted to be Pissy about different parts, they wouldn't touch it after you installed a 350 replacing the Factory 305, cause that was not Factory installed....

Honestly I would save yourself some trouble, and go to a good Wrecking/Salvage Yard, and find a Truck around your year with a 350 in it, & nab the Chip out of it.... Just make sure you touch a metal area of the truck, before you remove the Chip, and also disconnect your Battery Cables, and touch metal on your truck before swapping in the new chip....  Your touching a Metal Surface to ground out any static electricity
in your body or on your clothing, so you don't short the chip or ECM out....

Good Luck with your Pop's, I went through same battle, even same argument!!! Still get them from time to time, just easier to deal with since it's my Money,My Car/Truck, and I don't live with him....

[Unofficial]

I guess he was just cranky. He's not always like that. He's just been busy. I'm going to go ahead and buy the chip. It's my money anyway, and he said I can buy whatever I want, he just doesn't think it's a good idea. Whatever. I'm going for it.

So right now my plan is to spend about 2 hours to get the 305 out. Either on that same day or another day I'll spend another 2 hours getting the 350 in. By "getting it in" I mean just that. No mods, no check ups, no connections. Then I'll spend another day connecting everything and getting it running properly.

These are the parts I plan to take from the 305 and use on the 350:

• Starter
• Pulleys
• Intake
• Headers

etc...

Does everything sound okay?

[TexasRed]

Same flywheel teeth count? The starter is dependent upon it.

[DnStClr]

Your dad should be thankful to have a son like you. Actually, the performance will increase and so will gas mileage , so it's certainly the better way to go. He'll understand things better when he gets his 1st ride...

[Captkaos]

What year is the 305 vs 350?  What year heads. If they are later model (87-up, the intake won't swap)  I would also verify headers as some 305s had a bolt off.

[Unofficial]

What year is the 305 vs 350?  What year heads. If they are later model (87-up, the intake won't swap)  I would also verify headers as some 305s had a bolt off.

The 305 is the original '87 motor. The motor I'm putting in is from an '88. Both heads on the motors are factory.

[Captkaos]

Same motor, so there won't be any surprises.