305 or 350
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota Florida
305 or 350
Hi everyone, I am new to vettes and have a dillema that hopefully someone can help me with. I just bought a 1980 California edition :big in pretty decent shape that I want to fix up as a driver, it came with the 305, my friend who rebuilds a lot of cars is trying to talk me into replacing it with a 350. Should i fix up the 305 and keep it original or go for the 350.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 1
From: Kerrville Texas
Do you live in California? If so redo the 305 and keep it legal since you only are wanting a DD. You certainly can build a 350 that will pass just seems to be alot of hassle.
Maybe some folks that have done the conversion can chime in.
Kona
Maybe some folks that have done the conversion can chime in.
Kona
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Using a 305 won't start nuclear war (at least not that we know of). If it's just a cruiser that runs well and you have no performance aspirations for it, just leave the 305 in it. As far as value...it's hard to do worse on value than a 305 Cali Vette. Of all the Corvettes, you have the least to lose.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
305" is a very durable, reliable motor ... perhaps even a bit more so than venerable 350" due to 305's thicker cylinder walls.
350" is bigger & has more power than 305" ... but not a whole lot more. For a driver you wish to keep original ... suggest you keep the 305".
There's plenty internal stuff can be done to 305" to pep it up.
There's a couple cars around here running thirty-overbore 305" w/ 3.75" stroke crank ... 334" ... they run pretty darn good w/ lotsa of torque.
350" is bigger & has more power than 305" ... but not a whole lot more. For a driver you wish to keep original ... suggest you keep the 305".
There's plenty internal stuff can be done to 305" to pep it up.
There's a couple cars around here running thirty-overbore 305" w/ 3.75" stroke crank ... 334" ... they run pretty darn good w/ lotsa of torque.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Originally Posted by dasbrew
I am confused by your reply, do mean that it is not worth alot to begin with or that the different engines would not affect its value.
thanks
thanks
People are not beating in the bushes trying to flush out 305 Vettes. Not to say they don't have any value, but you can look up the price guides and they'll show a hit if it's a 305 car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
If the 305 is in good shape it will be OK for a DD. If you want a little more pep, you could Tune-Port fuel inject it. If you want a lot of power you should probably consider a swap to a 350. Even so, I would keep the 305. Never know what the next owner will want, once the numbers don't match, they are gone forever.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 204
Likes: 16
From: Holly Springs NC
Thats wierd but everyone has always told me that the 305 was very unreliable. I always thought that the 327 and 350 were good motors but that the 305 was junk.
P.S. I'm not in any way imlying that your car is junk, dasbrew, I just wanted to see if anyone else feels that the 305 is a somewhat more troublesome engine.
P.S. I'm not in any way imlying that your car is junk, dasbrew, I just wanted to see if anyone else feels that the 305 is a somewhat more troublesome engine.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota Florida
I appreciate all of the replies to my post so far, It seems like the majority are for the 305. I am also wondering if there are any more thoughts on the 305.
Thanks very much
Thanks very much
Last edited by dasbrew; Jan 16, 2006 at 03:15 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Pretty minimal difference...
The stock 305 in 1980 was listed as 180 HP @ 4200 RPM / 255 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
The stock 350 in 1980 was listed as 190 HP @ 4000 RPM / 270 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
Get a free flowing exhaust on the 305 and it will run AND sound better.
The stock 350 in 1980 was listed as 190 HP @ 4000 RPM / 270 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
Get a free flowing exhaust on the 305 and it will run AND sound better.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
If you got the extra money....
buy a 350 short block (less than a 1000.00).... keep your 305 heads (but work the heads and put in the 1.94 valves about $300.00...Or hell buy vortecs about $500.00 ) get a nice 266 or 270 hyd comp cam about $130.00.
Get a new intake 120.00... if you buy vortec heads ... get vortec manifold $150.00... I am not a huge fan of headers... buy they are cheap 120.00 and a new carb will set you back about 300.00
some chrome goodies... and some labor.
You will have a sweet motor that should get you strong 13s 1/4 mile
305...
buy a 350 short block (less than a 1000.00).... keep your 305 heads (but work the heads and put in the 1.94 valves about $300.00...Or hell buy vortecs about $500.00 ) get a nice 266 or 270 hyd comp cam about $130.00.
Get a new intake 120.00... if you buy vortec heads ... get vortec manifold $150.00... I am not a huge fan of headers... buy they are cheap 120.00 and a new carb will set you back about 300.00
some chrome goodies... and some labor.
You will have a sweet motor that should get you strong 13s 1/4 mile
305...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by Corz
the chevy 305 is good for one thing
a boat anchor
a boat anchor
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
I agree,, do not put any money in the 305, your wasting your time.
Originally Posted by Corz
the chevy 305 is good for one thing
a boat anchor
a boat anchor
&amp;quot;Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
I have an 80 also... Lots built and not a lot of demand in the collector area right now and will probably not be for at least 20 years. Had the same delima...but mine was a 350. You can replace it with a 350 and seal the 305 just in case you keep the vette or someone ever wants to buy it from you with the oringinal numbers matching motor.
However, if you're going to replace the engine...then go with a 383 crate motor or larger... isn't that much more expensive and you will wish you did once you get use to the 350 hp and tq... I have loved my 383 conversion...but...well... am use to it now and am thinking about more. Oh...does it ever end?
However, if you're going to replace the engine...then go with a 383 crate motor or larger... isn't that much more expensive and you will wish you did once you get use to the 350 hp and tq... I have loved my 383 conversion...but...well... am use to it now and am thinking about more. Oh...does it ever end?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
take that 305 and store it somewhere in your garage 
Take advantage of Florida's great emission laws, get a 350 short block, aluminum heads, hot cam and some sidepipes
Who knows for how much longer we can enjoy this here in sunny FL ????
Take advantage of Florida's great emission laws, get a 350 short block, aluminum heads, hot cam and some sidepipes
Who knows for how much longer we can enjoy this here in sunny FL ????
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I'm going to agree with the majority in saying toss that 305 and put a 350 or even a big block in. One thing you need to do is learn from us '81 owners and junk the computer as it has the same system as the '81's L81. The '80 California edition is probably one of the least sought after Corvettes and is mainly due to that 305.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
take that 305 and store it somewhere in your garage
Take advantage of Florida's great emission laws, get a 350 short block, aluminum heads, hot cam and some sidepipes
Who knows for how much longer we can enjoy this here in sunny FL ????
Take advantage of Florida's great emission laws, get a 350 short block, aluminum heads, hot cam and some sidepipes
Who knows for how much longer we can enjoy this here in sunny FL ????
Put a real engine in that car. If someone ever wants the original engine and other parts, you can restore the car to back to original or sell and let the other person bring it back. In the mean time, you can have some fun!