I had an 81 4 door malibu a few months back an i didnt know 2 much about motors and stuff. I bought it and really didnt ask the previous owner about what he had in the 305 or what.I used to cruise in daily and never really went above 40mph. One day I took it out and had the need for speed and I punched it at a green light and I had no idea of what kind of motor I had until then. WHen I punched it full throttle I floored it and I felt the motor jump into 2nd and "kick in" and damn near pulled my back into my seat. I got a cutty now but I never really drove it cuz of timing issues. I wanna know how I can get my rpm's high and get my 350 to kick in like that. ANd do you think the previous owner did anything to that mali?
Identifying 305
- Thread starter franknitticutlass
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Anything is possible with a car that is 28 years old and has had many owners over the years. The older a car gets, the fewer original parts it retains... generally speaking. My 79 is currently on it's 3rd engine, 4th transmission and 2nd rear axle. I know that because I've owned it for about 16 years, and I got it from my uncle. I always ask lots of questions when I am buying a used anything. The information always seems to come in handy later on.
Was your Malibu quiet, or did it sound like it maybe had a cam in it? Did it have a tach in it? Did the transmission shift sloppily or quick and crisp?
Was your Malibu quiet, or did it sound like it maybe had a cam in it? Did it have a tach in it? Did the transmission shift sloppily or quick and crisp?
It sounded like maybe it had a small cam in it. The trans shifted perfect. It was very loud, it had flowmaster 40's duals. it had already had a set of aftermarket gauges including a tach and when i hit the gas in park or neutral, the rpms were up to at least 6-8. i cant remember but i know it was higher than the cutty im doin now.
Sounds like it was set up pretty well. What makes you think it was a 305?
The engine is anyones guess. The trans probably had a shift kit, and maybe a decent torque converter if it launched well from a stop. Decent rear gears are a possibilty as well. Do you remember where that tach was reading when you were cruising at 40mph?
As for your 350, it depends on how much $ you have to spend on parts. An engine with good flowing heads, a proper cam, and an aftermarket exhaust system will usually run pretty well, as long as it is all put together right.
The engine is anyones guess. The trans probably had a shift kit, and maybe a decent torque converter if it launched well from a stop. Decent rear gears are a possibilty as well. Do you remember where that tach was reading when you were cruising at 40mph?
As for your 350, it depends on how much $ you have to spend on parts. An engine with good flowing heads, a proper cam, and an aftermarket exhaust system will usually run pretty well, as long as it is all put together right.
I agree. My 86 IROC is mostly stock with 3;42 rear gears and auburn posi. The motor is a mostly stock TPI 305. (Good custom tune and 3.5" exhaust with single chamber flowmaster) The transmission is pro-built with just about every trick in the book, a 2700rpm stall converter and transbrake. It eats other camaros and most vettes alive. It may be that your transmission is sloppy and could use a performance rebuild.
The guy I bought it from told me it was a 305.As far as my cutty, Im dropping a mild cam and a few other minor upgrades to the top end. Im putting a B&M transpak and tci full manual reverse valve body in as soon as it warms up here in Detroit.
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