Mild 305 cam

[pontiacgp]

Check out my signature, I guess having this exact setup isn't enough to suggest spending $500 on the cam setup? But suggesting to "just get a 350 and an 8.5" rearend" is a reasonable suggestion?

it was actually the op who said he would be upgrading to a 350 in the future so why would you suggest he waste $500 plus his time on the 305. Also for the rear end he has an open carrier and gearing he doesn't like. It would be expensive to get a posi and gears along with paying a shop to do it. It would make more sense for the op to look for an upgrade while he is saving money so he can end up with the drive train he wants. He doesn't have the budget for what he wants so why spend money on stuff that he's planning on changing.

the other side of the coin and with no intention of criticizing the op he took 9 pages on the forum to change his intake. He needs his car to get around and is on a very tight budget. If he attempted a cam change and ended up causing damage he may not have the funds to make the repairs so he be stranded without his car.

 

[Michaelweez]

it was actually the op who said he would be upgrading to a 350 in the future so why would you suggest he waste $500 plus his time on the 305. Also for the rear end he has an open carrier and gearing he doesn't like. It would be expensive to get a posi and gears along with paying a shop to do it. It would make more sense for the op to look for an upgrade while he is saving money so he can end up with the drive train he wants. He doesn't have the budget for what he wants so why spend money on stuff that he's planning on changing.

I guess I missed the "plans for a 350 in the future" comment by the OP, still the title of the thread indicates that he is at least considering doing some work to the engine he has already. So potentially anywhere from $150-350 for a complete 7.5" posi setup with the gears he wants is more cost effective than the elusive 8.5" rears that are getting harder to find and often costs upwards of $800? Then driveshaft shortening or getting a stock driveshaft that works?

 

[Andebe]

Sure, I never claimed 225hp however, I stated that the Comp Cams online tool estimated that. If real world experience with the setup in a car I own isn't justification then I am not sure what is. My point for the original poster was that it sounded like he just wanted to tinker a bit with limited funds and wasn't looking for insane power levels, tossing $500 at the engine he has already to gain experience is certainly more cost effective and useful versus "get a 350 and an 8.5" rearend" in my opinion.

Agree to disagree,Mike...Youre simply defending what you have done,I get that. But for $500,I think the gear swap would give the best "feel" per dollar. Btw,would love to hear that cam lope in your exhaust note

 

[Michaelweez]

Yanking the motor this afternoon for a 350 and an 8.5" rear, 305 will never run again!

 

[Andebe]

How about group hug? Anyone,anyone? Just me? Sigh...this is awkward.

 

[LukeZ]

Whether you're on GBodyForum or an Fbody forum or 73-87 truck forum, you can always rely on the general population to tell you that messing with a 305 is a waste of money lol. And probably for good reason. Michael, you understood my original intention; I like to learn by doing, not reading or watching. I thought a cam swap on the 305 would be a good way to have some fun in the garage and a little fun on the road too. I undertstand it wouldn't be the smartest economical choice if I'm not going to keep the engine. I also get that it would probably take me forever to do it because I'm a beginner . That doesnt really bother me though. Plus, who knows how long it would be before I could swap to a 350 anyways? I'll need a job first, and another car to drive to work after I graduate before I can tear the 305 out of my elco. I know that I've heard the answer to this question from more than one person: what's the best engine to put your time and money in to? The one that you have.

 

[LukeZ]

Found a complete 8.5 near me in Jersey too btw. After a conversation with the seller about the price, I decided I am not willing to pay for its weight in gold lmao

 

[pontiacgp]

Don't stop looking cause they are out there, I bought my 8.2" Eaton posi with 3.08 gears which are the gears I wanted for $600. Another thing you could do if you have the space is to pick up a 350 and modify it while it's on a stand. You can do the work on it when you have the funds and time

 

[LukeZ]

Don't stop looking cause they are out there, I bought my 8.2" Eaton posi with 3.08 gears which are the gears I wanted for $600. Another thing you could do if you have the space is to pick up a 350 and modify it while it's on a stand. You can do the work on it when you have the funds and time

Good idea about having the engine on standby for a few years.

And how long ago was it that you found that rear for that price?

 

[pontiacgp]

It took me a year before I found it, in Canada there isn't the abundance of parts that you have in the US. This 8.2 was the first one I found. I wanted the 8.2 cause it's lighter then the 12 bolt and it's good to around 500 hp