1980 Corvette 305 Engine
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2006
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1980 Corvette 305 Engine
It is my first thread on this forum,hope you can help me.
I own a 1980 California Vette, that is, with a 305 engine. I just wanted to know if this kind of car, (because of the low production numbers) has a special value that is worth restoring to original specifications.
Besides that, I wanted to know if anybody has knowledge on where I can find technical specification of this sort of engine , like cam durations, torque coverter, etc., and the ways I can increase the HP and performance of the car with the same 305 engine. (i do not want to switch to a 350 engine, want to leave it like that) I´m looking for around 270-300 HP, for street performace. If anybody has knowledge on which parts to use please let me know.
Thanks
RTök
I own a 1980 California Vette, that is, with a 305 engine. I just wanted to know if this kind of car, (because of the low production numbers) has a special value that is worth restoring to original specifications.
Besides that, I wanted to know if anybody has knowledge on where I can find technical specification of this sort of engine , like cam durations, torque coverter, etc., and the ways I can increase the HP and performance of the car with the same 305 engine. (i do not want to switch to a 350 engine, want to leave it like that) I´m looking for around 270-300 HP, for street performace. If anybody has knowledge on which parts to use please let me know.
Thanks
RTök
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: NC
As for the 305 engine question, I don't think low production numbers necessarily mean more valuable. An example would be some of the 60's muscle cars that were built with column shifts and bench seats, surely low production, but not as desirable as the floor shifts and buckets. That being said, I still prefer original.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Duvall, WA
I don't think anyone has ever, currently, or will ever want a Chevy 305 in their car. I have owned two (currently have one in a '78 Firebird that is getting replaced with a Pontiac 455). They are truly awful. If you are worried about originality, but want performance, I would pull the 305, keep it somewhere safe and put in a 350.
If you insist on keeping the 305, you I would go with headers, L31 Vortec heads with appropriate Edelbrock intake, Comp Cams XE 262H-10 cam, tune it properly and you should have no problem making your desired power.
If you insist on keeping the 305, you I would go with headers, L31 Vortec heads with appropriate Edelbrock intake, Comp Cams XE 262H-10 cam, tune it properly and you should have no problem making your desired power.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Tracy California
Originally Posted by rcread
I don't think anyone has ever, currently, or will ever want a Chevy 305 in their car....
But if you do want to keep it original, do keep it.
I may have posted on some other threads that it was a 305, but I was mistaken (I checked my papers, and I originally had a 180hp 350... very low powered motor that had lost its oomph...)
I would go with "rcread"'s suggestion.
Also put in some carb/injection cleaner into your fuel tank...clean out any buildups
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by RTök
...I just wanted to know if this kind of car, (because of the low production numbers) has a special value that is worth restoring to original specifications....
Worth restoring? Yes. If she's otherwise original (305 and all), keep her that way.
Race Director
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
I agree with the other opinions. Not particularly valuable. An interesting piece of Corvette history but not one that most people want.
Your HP goals depend on where you live and what emmision limitations you have. It's certainly easier (and cheaper) to meet your goals with a 350. That said, you could probably acheive them with the 305, but not in California.
Your HP goals depend on where you live and what emmision limitations you have. It's certainly easier (and cheaper) to meet your goals with a 350. That said, you could probably acheive them with the 305, but not in California.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
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From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
I don't remember exactly, but what made a 305 different from a 350, was it bore or stroke? See where Im going with this?? If it was stroke, then you could put a 350 crank and have a 350, if it was bore, then well, you could bore it out to 4 inches and have a 350.
Come to think of it a 302 and a 305 are pretty close, but different too.......
oh well,
edit: 302 had 4" bore, 305 had 3.73" bore - so there is your difference. Guess you could stroke your 305 and come up with a new displacement engine.
Come to think of it a 302 and a 305 are pretty close, but different too.......
oh well,
edit: 302 had 4" bore, 305 had 3.73" bore - so there is your difference. Guess you could stroke your 305 and come up with a new displacement engine.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Tracy California
Originally Posted by lg4vette
So where in the heck did all the 305's that were pulled from the CA cars go? I'm guessing not all of 'em ended up as boat anchors. (most maybe, but not all)
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 208
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From: West Branch MI
I know the one from our car was destroyed in a fire after it was pulled a couple of owners ago (the one I was stupid enough to sell it to 13 years ago). Now I need to find me a new boat anchor!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Washington DC
Originally Posted by lg4vette
So where in the heck did all the 305's that were pulled from the CA cars go? I'm guessing not all of 'em ended up as boat anchors. (most maybe, but not all)
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 344
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From: Washington DC
Originally Posted by ruby76
I don't remember exactly, but what made a 305 different from a 350, was it bore or stroke? See where Im going with this?? If it was stroke, then you could put a 350 crank and have a 350, if it was bore, then well, you could bore it out to 4 inches and have a 350.
Come to think of it a 302 and a 305 are pretty close, but different too.......
oh well,
edit: 302 had 4" bore, 305 had 3.73" bore - so there is your difference. Guess you could stroke your 305 and come up with a new displacement engine.
Come to think of it a 302 and a 305 are pretty close, but different too.......
oh well,
edit: 302 had 4" bore, 305 had 3.73" bore - so there is your difference. Guess you could stroke your 305 and come up with a new displacement engine.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
The 305 is a lousy engine from performance standards. The bore is very small and it shrouds the valves so the motor can't breathe very well. It was never intended to be a performance motor at all. It has the same stroke as a 350 but the small bore is a hinderance. Yes you can make one run decent but why waste the time and money when 350s are more common and respond to mods better.
Restore a 305 it is up to you, I doubt it will ever command much $$$ due to the very low performance. Build it to have fun with it and don't worry about the value.
Restore a 305 it is up to you, I doubt it will ever command much $$$ due to the very low performance. Build it to have fun with it and don't worry about the value.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: North Bend Ohio
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2006
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Brakes!
Well guys , thanks for your help, I am having trouble deciding what to do, I think I am going to go with original specs ,and tune it a little bit , just so it runs decently . I want more than the wimpy 180 HP, for street performance.
Just another question . Since I bought the car, I have been having troubl ewith the brakes. I've taken it many times to the repair shop and the brakes seem to work fine just for a little while and then back as they were before, when you step in the brakes the pedal goes all the way to the bottom . What could it be ? brake line? Master cylinder?? fluid is normal, by the way.
Just another question . Since I bought the car, I have been having troubl ewith the brakes. I've taken it many times to the repair shop and the brakes seem to work fine just for a little while and then back as they were before, when you step in the brakes the pedal goes all the way to the bottom . What could it be ? brake line? Master cylinder?? fluid is normal, by the way.
Race Director
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From: Forked River NJ
If they start out good and go away it might be the rotors are warped or not true. This pumps air into the syatem and makes the brakes go soft. You need to dial indicate the rotors. If there is morethan .005 runout you will probably be pumping air into the system.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by RTök
I think I am going to go with original specs ,and tune it a little bit , just so it runs decently.
...work fine just for a little while and then back as they were before....
...work fine just for a little while and then back as they were before....
The 305 will make a nice driver.
Unless I miss my quess, your constant brake problems are probably from rotor run out. One or more rotors are continuously pumping the caliper pistons and pulling air into the system. Have the run out checked at all four corners. I'm suprised your brake technician hasn't already done this.
Run out could also be caused by worn suspension parts.
Race Director
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From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Originally Posted by Gordonm
If they start out good and go away it might be the rotors are warped or not true. This pumps air into the syatem and makes the brakes go soft. You need to dial indicate the rotors. If there is morethan .005 runout you will probably be pumping air into the system.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,152
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From: Folsom Ca
Originally Posted by rcread
If you insist on keeping the 305, you I would go with headers, L31 Vortec heads with appropriate Edelbrock intake, Comp Cams XE 262H-10 cam, tune it properly and you should have no problem making your desired power.
Thanks Arnold....
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2006
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Well , I replaced the calipers not a long ago and the same problem with the brakes persisted, I don´t know if the technician has already checked the rotors. I think that´s gonna be the problem because as for the suspension, I installed new parts on it. I´m gonna have to take the car to the shop again.
As for the computer, I though the 1980 didnt have a one, I though computer was first introduced with the 1981 corvette together with the crossfire injection. If My car DOES have a computer, are there any performance chips available for this kind of motor? And what kind of performance package can I install (if there is a computer)?
Do any of you guys know where can I get widebody parts?
Thanks
As for the computer, I though the 1980 didnt have a one, I though computer was first introduced with the 1981 corvette together with the crossfire injection. If My car DOES have a computer, are there any performance chips available for this kind of motor? And what kind of performance package can I install (if there is a computer)?
Do any of you guys know where can I get widebody parts?
Thanks