EL CAMINO Hypothetical 305 rebuild

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Bitflipper on Montecarloss.com sells them. His are modified so you can run live data though a laptop with ALDL software.

 

[Gremlinsteve]

Sweet

I'll go look him up

 

[Pedrolif]

all you need is air, fuel and spark, and a good knowledge to tune it. If you're not required to meet emissions in the state you register it in, build it big, and build it simple. I'm not against LS swaps or keeping emissions, but all the extra sensors... more of a headache then needed, my opinion. Sure it's nice to plug in a laptop and go bleep boop and hey, new tuning! But where's the gear-head in that? (lots of ramblings deleted)
You have options. You can simplify and delete most of the stock emissions if you can pay for it. One O2 sensor and a Fast EFI or something similar and you can upgrade your 80s SBC with better fuel management and drop the OEM computer.

stupid leaks....

 

[Turbolq4]

Used LS based swap. More power and efficiency along with great reliability and parts availability. If you're already thinking about going down that road then you won't be happy until you do.

 

[Wraith]

If your CCC carb/pcm is in perfect shape(I'm sure it needs rebuilt if the engine is tired) that ZZ4 prom would be easy if you don't want to touch anything else or HAVE to keep it for your states emissions program. Otherwise darn near any properly sized new carb/MSD dist/ crate engine will be great and all will be a serious upgrade over a tired 305. If you go LSx jump in and start figuring out fuel injection and take advantage of everything that has to offer, it's a great way to go, few if any regret it other than the "while I'm there" cost can get out of hand if you order more than scrounge for the good deals.

You may throw us a budget and your wrenching skills too, this may help us point you towards the best direction.

 

[Gremlinsteve]

I've done hundreds if not more engine swaps
And I have tuned the same or more cars
Probably more

I'm not scared of the swap to any motor

I'm only wavering on this because this 305 runs so darn good and everything works right now

If I did any motor swap I would go directly towards a good 5.3. I can't see the 6.0 being worth the premium they ask

Desicions desicions

 

[Wraith]

Go Big!

Swap the 5.3 in and never look back until we have hydrogen power or flux capacitors.

Or start collecting all the 5.3 stuff(along with turbo) as you drive the 305 and it slowly dies.

 

[Gremlinsteve]

That's kinda what I'm thinking
I have several other projects going currently
So I might just start gathering the parts I need to buy and the stuff I need to use to fab

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Forgot to mention that if you either go with 305 vortec heads or with a vortec 350 engine, you will need one of these.

A GM Vortec spreadbore intake manifold with EGR provision (requires external exhaust supply line). Part# is 12496820 and is CCC ready. Several 3rdgen Camaro guys make 300HP on vortec headed 305s with the CCC or TBI.