EL CAMINO Hypothetical 305 rebuild

[Gremlinsteve]

if you where going to keep your el camino equipped with its current 305 but it was getting old and tired. What would you do to it during its refresh

I was thinking of doing a few changes to help increase its performance a little

This would be my choice

Stock qjet
Edelbrock egr intake
Edelbrock tes headers. I have these already
9.5-10 compression using a tfs head built for the small bore 305
Camshaft from lunati or comp
212-215 intake lobe and a 218-220 exhaust

My car is a 87 model so it might be cast for a roller cam setup
If so I would go that route. Keeping my durations about the same I listed
Other than these listed mods I would keep everything else simple


What do u think. My concerns are the ccc carb and the pcm. I think I can get a prom (chip) for the car still. But I would prefer not to have any issues

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

A guy who goes by Bitflipper on MCSS.com burns ZZ4 PROM chips. You may want to think about 059, 305 Vortec heads. However, you can get a crate 350 Vortec for pretty cheap.

 

[Michael Watts]

I would just go with a 290 HP crate engine from Chevrolet ,I have one in my 1981 El Camino SS with Flow Tech "shorty"headers True 2 1/4 exhaust .and Flow Master 3 chamber mufflers. Eldelbrock Performer and carb. I get around 20 plus MPG

 

[Wraith]

Is there a reason you have to stay emission compliant?
The 290hp crate would be a great upgrade at $2400 from Summit Racing and all you stock stuff would swap over if that's a concern. I've run a new ZZ4 with the tes headers with a catalytic converter and passed inspection before even with an Edelbrock carb.

 

[Gremlinsteve]

No reason other than everything works
Will a 350 crate motor from gm work with the ccc carb and pcm?

 

[bracketchev1221]

The cam in the 290 engine may be a little big for the computer without having the computer reprogrammed. Although cost is always a factor in any project, I like being different. I have had discussions with other people wanting to keep their 305 and try to make more power with them. If ease of project is what you are after, a crate engine is the way to go. If personal satisfaction and keeping the original engine is what you are after by all means do the 305.

 

[Wraith]

No reason other than everything works
Will a 350 crate motor from gm work with the ccc carb and pcm?

They will but will be the limiting factor if trying to get all the horsepower you can out of whatever you do along with the added expense. Reprogramming the pcm will be kind of a crapshoot unless you are sticking with one combo and never switching.

 

[Michael Watts]

My 1981 El Camino SS had the 290 HP 350 swap from a 267,It has an Eldelbrock Performer and carb .Even had headers true dual exhaust no cats.And it passed emissions with flying colors ,It all depends on how you tune it.

 

[Texas82GP]

My 1981 El Camino SS had the 290 HP 350 swap from a 267,It has an Eldelbrock Performer and carb .Even had headers true dual exhaust no cats.And it passed emissions with flying colors ,It all depends on how you

How you what?

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

I would avoid the cheap 290 HP 350s. Those are really smogger van motors than only make 200 HP in the real world, barely better than a stock 305 power wise but would use much more fuel. You would have to replace half the engine to get above 200 HP with them. If I was going though the expense and trouble to swap my current engine out for a new crate, I would want higher CR and roller cam, probably want at least Vortec heads too. The cheap 290 HP 350s have flat tappet cams, large cc smog heads, low CR, and just suck. Not all 350s are better than 305s.