instead of spending money you could spend your time reading about engine rebuild and modifications while you're saving money for a vortec engine. Back before the internet many of us wasted money on projects we thought would work but only ended up wasting money and time. We didn't have access to the internet where we could learn from the mistakes guys before us made.
I have a 305 in my Cutlass. They have very little performance value. Their only purpose was to move the car from A-B while meeting emissions standards and reasonable fuel economy. Don't try to make a 305 something it isn't. You'll only end up broke and disappointed. Personally, I wouldn't waste a penny on a cam swap in an otherwise stock 305. Especially a roller conversion. I can tell you from personal experience that a gear change will make the biggest difference. I went with 3.42s because they calculated out to the same cruise RPM as the 2.29s my car came with when I went from a TH200 to 200-4R. That gave me way more out of the hole with the exact same freeway MPG.
If you still feel that you need to mess with the engine, the least intrusive thing you can do is 1.6 rockers. I'm with the other guys though, I'd suggest just saving up for a Vortec 350. When you factor in all the cost and effort to do a roller cam upgrade on your 305, a 350 is only a few bucks more. The power difference is probably 2:1 so in my book that's a pretty good return for your money.
Yes to swap the cam you'll have pull front of engine off plus intake, valve covers an remove pushrods an lifters.
Need more facts of your Engine such as year, an is it the original engine to that vehicle so to tell you what cam is in it is mildly impossible.
As others have said, do a gear swap first. I would think about going to a 3.42. What size tires are you running? We can crunch the numbers in the calculator.
What exhaust do you have on the car? Stock? Duals? Manifolds? Catalytic converter(s)? If you haven't done any exhaust upgrades, that would be my number two suggestion. Really, it will be like a different car with more gear.
Do yourself a favour an go get a manual on building Chevy small blocks.
Sit down an figure out what you what to do with this vehicle an engine.
Changing your camshaft isn't really for beginners or someone just starting to learn you can destroy an engine with just one slip up.
As you don't have the funds to go out an buy a better engine, just buy simple add on that would work on another engine(350).
Don't get frustrated, ask questions.
I personally have seen 600hp plus 305's so don't sweat it that you don't have a 305.
Only reason l built my 305 was because l do my own work an l had it laying around. And l got 4 350's sitting, but my purpose was to make a daily drive with a little go.
If you build a monster engine you would have to start thinking about if the rest of the Car is strong enough to handle that power.
I got BB Cars if l want to rip up the road. Last thing l needed was another weekend war car !
OK so if you choose to change the gears in your rearend think it threw.
What series carrier do you have ? 2
What is the max gear ratio that will fit in that carrier ? 3.08
3.23 up you'll either have to swap rearend for a 3 series carrier or just put a spacer in your series 2, once again not for beginners !
Do you want a posi for it ?
Whether you swap in a different rearend(cheapest an easiest l would think) or buy used/new gears(cheap but knowledge base) then do you want a posi ( not cheap) or single tire fire ?
Maybe I'll hold off on upgrades to the 305 for now lol. As far as my exhaust, I have stock manifolds with a single 2.5in pipe, hi flow cat and a super 10, 3in tip.
As far as the rear end goes. If I kept the current carrier which is meant for high gears, numerically below 3.08, would a set of thick 3.23s or 3.42s cut it? It's non posi btw
Maybe I'll hold off on upgrades to the 305 for now lol. As far as my exhaust, I have stock manifolds with a single 2.5in pipe, hi flow cat and a super 10, 3in tip.
As far as the rear end goes. If I kept the current carrier which is meant for high gears, numerically below 3.08, would a set of thick 3.23s or 3.42s cut it? It's non posi btw
Yes they do also make gears that fit the 2 series carrier that are the same thickness as 3series ring gear an the spacer but hard to find, one company that l know of doesn't have go reviews on them(Gear Howl). But l'm sure there are others manufacturer's that also make them.
Even using the spacer isn't recommended for much over stock HP because of flex.
Just throwing thoughts at you, your car , your design.
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