Safe Horsepower

[MrSony]

it just dosnt seem worth it for only 40 more horsepower

That's if you swap in a stock smogger 350 of the sameish era. You can get a .030 350 with a lumpy cam, done up heads, and aluminum intake for under 2500 bucks. sh*t, my little brother got a .040 over 350 with done up heads and aluminum intake for 50 bucks two days ago. Cylinders look new.

 

[MrSony]

Ok does the exhaust headers from the 305 fit on the 350? and is the 305 automatic transmission compatible with the 350 or would i need a new transmission too?

This brings up another issue, if you nos the 305, or any engine, you will most likely blow the transmission and read end into a million pieces. It's just not worth it. I know you want some power, and the car to be cool and fast, but that isn't the way to do it.

 

[Matthew Goeke]

isn't "relearning how to drive" predicated on your assumption that you actually knew how to drive before the extra power...😛

My daily already makes 220HP and it weighs about 400lbs less than the regal

 

[L67ss]

My daily already makes 220HP

What kind of daily?

 

[454GrandPrix]

As others have suggested, your proposed $1400 budget would be far better spent on swapping in a 350. For that price, you could buy a complete, good Vortec 350... then tear it down, dingle ball hone it, install new rings/bearings/gaskets, add your aforementioned carb plus a matching intake manifold, and drop it in your car. You'd have at least 250 HP on tap (perhaps a whole lot more if you upgraded the cam, though that might push you above your budget especially considering the required head mods for significant valve lift) and it would give you 200,000 miles of reliable running on pump gas.

If that's not an incredible bargain, I don't know what is.

 

[MrSony]

factoring in the engine hoist and engine stand cost plus getting a truck to pick up the engine nos seems like the cheaper way to go.

If you want to get into cars, you need these regardless of what you work on. Most cars can fit an engine in the trunk, as l67 said. If not, find a buddy with a truck. We've all had to start somewhere.

 

[Opie Knievel]

You'd have at least 250 HP on tap (perhaps a whole lot more if you upgraded the cam, though that might push you above your budget especially considering the required head mods for significant valve lift)

Beehive springs and don't go crazy with the cam.

 

[L67ss]

If you want to get into cars, you need these regardless of what you work on. Most cars can fit an engine in the trunk, as l67 said. If not, find a buddy with a truck. We've all had to start somewhere.

Something I've found odd is every gm car I've had somehow had enough room in its trunk for its own engine lol

 

[Opie Knievel]

If you want to get into cars

Personally I think if you're gonna get into messing with cars and making horsepower you should learn all the basics first. How to do a tune up, how to assemble an engine, etc. Start with the basics then build on that knowledge. It may not be as "cool" or flashy but it'll save you a lot of time and trouble down the road.

 

[Matthew Goeke]

Personally I think if you're gonna get into messing with cars and making horsepower you should learn all the basics first. How to do a tune up, how to assemble an engine, etc. Start with the basics then build on that knowledge. It may not be as "cool" or flashy but it'll save you a lot of time and trouble down the road.

by tune up what do you mean? i already did the plugs, wires, oil change, and coolant change. i know the basics to an engine its just about finding the time to do it.