305 opinion please

[DRIVEN]

I'll be pulling the stock 305 from my '79 Cutlass in the next couple days for a Krylon rebuild. It will be going back into the car in bone stock form with the only cosmetic exceptions being an aluminum L82 intake (probably the same casting as mine just not heavy iron) and some L82 valve covers. I'll be replacing the necessary seals and gaskets, hoses, belts, radiator, water pump, etc. At the same time I'll be (finally) installing my 200-4R with a 2200 stall converter and a mild shift kit. The rear gearing is 3.42.
Here's my question --
Would it be worth anything to install 1.6 rockers with my stock cam or install an Edelbrock Performer cam I have on the shelf? I'm sure it wouldn't be much of a performance gain but will either hurt fuel economy? I really have no complaints with the way it runs now. If either of those options is all win I'd consider it. If not, I'll leave it stock.

 

[maliburacinfreak]

put the cam in. it wont hurt fuel economy and im sure youll notice quite a performance difference. and assuming the 1.6 rockers are rollers, youd need guide plates unless they are self aligning. which also means getting screw in studs. cam would be the easier upgrade.

 

[DRIVEN]

Makes sense. I just got back with a clean emissions test 5 minutes ago. I probably won't have any problem getting that cam to pass when I get tested again in 2 years, right?

 

[DoubleV]

I think that 204/214 cam will seem lazy on the low end in that 305. I remember those year 305's were absolutley gutless and I'm sure very low CR was one of the reasons. Those engines just have nothing down low ( or anywhere else for that matter ) and putting in a bigger cam, especially one like that Edelbrock with slow, lazy ramps that will reduce your already too low cylinder pressure even more may not work out too well. Just adding the 1.6 rockers will hardly make any difference.

I would just put it back in stock and save up for a dirt cheap Goodwrench 350 for $1500 complete with warrenty.