LG4/305 question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: West Branch MI
LG4/305 question
Well, I know just about everyone who ready this will think I'm an idiot, and maybe I am not all that smart after all. 
That being said, I have a very long history with the 1980 I'm redoing. I have the body off and am putting in a manual steeroids kit (thanks again for the advice) as well as a monoshock rear and various other updated parts/systems to increase the driving enjoyment. Now, for my question....I bought an original LG4 305 from a fellow CF member a few years ago who took it out of his CA vette. Had it shipped here to Michigan. I'm going to have it rebuilt and use it in my car as that's what it had when I first bought it (the first time..bought it 3 times now) and went on the first date with the love of my life. I'm not going to use the computer/computer controlled carb; going with an Edelbrock intake/carb. So, what, if anything, will the rebuilder need to do so this will be a reliable (as reliable as it can be) engine without using the computer?
If I didn't have such a history with this car I'd go with a crate motor, but it is important to me, even though it'll drive you all crazy.
Thanks guys
That being said, I have a very long history with the 1980 I'm redoing. I have the body off and am putting in a manual steeroids kit (thanks again for the advice) as well as a monoshock rear and various other updated parts/systems to increase the driving enjoyment. Now, for my question....I bought an original LG4 305 from a fellow CF member a few years ago who took it out of his CA vette. Had it shipped here to Michigan. I'm going to have it rebuilt and use it in my car as that's what it had when I first bought it (the first time..bought it 3 times now) and went on the first date with the love of my life. I'm not going to use the computer/computer controlled carb; going with an Edelbrock intake/carb. So, what, if anything, will the rebuilder need to do so this will be a reliable (as reliable as it can be) engine without using the computer? If I didn't have such a history with this car I'd go with a crate motor, but it is important to me, even though it'll drive you all crazy.
Thanks guys
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I'm thinking that you could have found a 305 engine a lot closer, (and probably cheaper) they made scrillions of them. Anyway, you'll need a distributor and a carb, I guess, then just have the shop rebuild it like they would any other small block chevy. Also, did the car have steeroids and a "monoshock" when you went on that first date? I didn't think so. So what's up with that?
Scott
Scott
Last edited by scottyp99; May 4, 2014 at 10:39 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
Any reputable builder can build a 305 to be reliable. Just make sure to get references.
I wish I could find someone to take the 305 in my Firebird off my hands. It runs fine (well, fine for a 305) but I can't give it away.
I wish I could find someone to take the 305 in my Firebird off my hands. It runs fine (well, fine for a 305) but I can't give it away.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Well, I know just about everyone who ready this will think I'm an idiot, and maybe I am not all that smart after all. That being said, I have a very long history with the 1980 I'm redoing. I have the body off and am putting in a manual steeroids kit (thanks again for the advice) as well as a monoshock rear and various other updated parts/systems to increase the driving enjoyment. Now, for my question....I bought an original LG4 305 from a fellow CF member a few years ago who took it out of his CA vette. Had it shipped here to Michigan. I'm going to have it rebuilt and use it in my car as that's what it had when I first bought it (the first time..bought it 3 times now) and went on the first date with the love of my life. I'm not going to use the computer/computer controlled carb; going with an Edelbrock intake/carb. So, what, if anything, will the rebuilder need to do so this will be a reliable (as reliable as it can be) engine without using the computer?
If I didn't have such a history with this car I'd go with a crate motor, but it is important to me, even though it'll drive you all crazy.
Thanks guys
That being said, I have a very long history with the 1980 I'm redoing. I have the body off and am putting in a manual steeroids kit (thanks again for the advice) as well as a monoshock rear and various other updated parts/systems to increase the driving enjoyment. Now, for my question....I bought an original LG4 305 from a fellow CF member a few years ago who took it out of his CA vette. Had it shipped here to Michigan. I'm going to have it rebuilt and use it in my car as that's what it had when I first bought it (the first time..bought it 3 times now) and went on the first date with the love of my life. I'm not going to use the computer/computer controlled carb; going with an Edelbrock intake/carb. So, what, if anything, will the rebuilder need to do so this will be a reliable (as reliable as it can be) engine without using the computer? If I didn't have such a history with this car I'd go with a crate motor, but it is important to me, even though it'll drive you all crazy.
Thanks guys
Oh well... good luck and enjoy.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
I have a 77 that the previous owner "updated" with an 87 305 and 200R4 transmission. It runs surprisingly well and gets great gas mileage. When I rebuild the car I intend to leave it just as it is for a lot of reasons. I'll always have my modded 80 when I want to drive a car with great performance.
That being said, a 305 is just like any other small block Chevy. A careful rebuild with good parts will yield an engine that will last a very long time with reasonable care.
That being said, a 305 is just like any other small block Chevy. A careful rebuild with good parts will yield an engine that will last a very long time with reasonable care.
Last edited by CaseyJones; May 5, 2014 at 11:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: West Branch MI
What's more perplexing to me is that you've decided to stick with the 305 for nostalgia reasons, but are dumping what really makes the LG4 an LG4 and getting rid of the dual-plane low rise aluminum intake and E4ME for a... dual-plane low rise aluminum intake and a 1960's Carter design with an Edelbrock badge on it.
Oh well... good luck and enjoy.
Oh well... good luck and enjoy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
"increased driving enjoyment" is not usually associated with a 305. I do remember selling a few 305's to people who wanted to run the heads on their 350 blocks. I guess like you said, it makes sense to you and makes you happy. Visually there is zero difference in the setup you propose vs a crate 350 though.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Key West Florida
i had a 305 in my 77 Monte Carlo when I bought it, it was a tough engine, I couldent break it. it started rattling one night so I ran it up to 97mph in 1st gear and the noise went away, its still running in a friends truck, I got it up to 180whp with just bolt-ons, intake, carb, headers, MSD, electric fans.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Nothing wrong with a 305 unless you like speed but it will run well for a long time! A cheap trick is to get a higher stall converter. I would say 2200-2400. That's how they got the mid 80s z28 and trans ams to run fast off the line!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
A friend of mine has an LG4 305 that I built the E4ME for. Once it was set up well, it ran very, very good with lots of low end torque. I'm sure it would not win any stoplight races, but it had great low-end punch to send you down the road.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
My wife had an 87 firebird formula with the 305. It had 136000 on it when we bought it and she put 35k on it before it got tired. We had it rebuilt and kept everything stock including the computer controlled qjet(rebuilt). I had the engine builder put in a comp 252 high energy cam, 206-206 .430 lift on a 110 lsa . Lots of low and mid range power with excellent fuel mileage(she drove 200 miles a day) . Your car and your money, you decide. A 500 cfm edelbrock carb will be more than adequate for your 305.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: West Branch MI
Thanks for the advice you guys. And thanks for not being too brutal in your responses. 
I remember as a 20 year old when I had this car the first time (third time owning the same car) it certainly wasn't fast, but it did have a good amount of torque. Had enough to get me a few warning from the local police. LOL
I remember as a 20 year old when I had this car the first time (third time owning the same car) it certainly wasn't fast, but it did have a good amount of torque. Had enough to get me a few warning from the local police. LOL
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
Super Chevy did a 305 build, and was able to get 359 peak hp from it. There's a link to the article below.
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/..._engine_build/
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/..._engine_build/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
I had a 305 in my old k5 and it sucked. I would get a crate 350 and put your edelbrock intake and carb on (even though edelbrock carbs are terrible imo). That way you get good power and you still get those fuzzy nostalgic feelings when you pop the hood and look at it. You could put a 383 or 427 small block and still end out with the same outcome with the benefits of more power.
Your car, your money
Your car, your money
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Super Chevy did a 305 build, and was able to get 359 peak hp from it. There's a link to the article below.
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/..._engine_build/
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/..._engine_build/
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Key West Florida
a 305 is not a bad engine, its very tough, ive only have ever seen one get destroyed, and it was in a 1984 Camaro my friend and I bought for 100$, put an air gap intake in it, a mystery cam I had laying around, edelbrock 600, and headers and for about 40 min it would spin the tires in overdrive, until the rod bearings gave up, upon tearing the engine down it was .030 over, the rings were seized in the piston lands, and 3 rod bearings were spun, it would still run, just dident like to idle...... who knows how many miles were on that engine, but it was VERY tough.