[cobalt327]

I see these heads listed variously as '87-'91 305 "swirl port" heads and also as '87-'91 305 "HO" heads. However I do not recall them being mentioned by F-BIRD'88 or anyone else who know the 305 heads well. So my questions are:

• Were swirl port heads the "HO" heads for those years?
• Are they any better, worse or same as the earlier HO heads like the c/n 416?
• On a 305 SBC w/a mild cam will they be as good for mileage and power as the earlier HO heads?

[F-BIRD'88]

The 187 heads are TBI "swirl port" heads. They are not HO heads.

The "305HO heads" are the 4416 and the 081 heads ('87)

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by F-BIRD'88

The 187 heads are TBI "swirl port" heads. They are not HO heads.

The "305HO heads" are the 4416 and the 081 heads ('87)

What heads- if any- were the "HO" heads for 1987 through '91? Were there "HO" heads all the way through '95, before the L30 heads were produced, or did they stop being called HO heads at some point?

[Hippie]

The '081 heads are basically the center bolt version of the '416 heads used on the "High Output" L-69 305's of the early to mid-80's. They were used on 4 bbl. and TPI 305's.

[adantessr]

Hi am the owner of the 14102187 heads in question. A tech on JustAnswer.com, that I had and online chat with told me that these heads are 305HO heads, and that installed on the V0316TBA engine, which I got burnt on, (pictured in another post) , this engine is factory rated at 280hp. Is this not realistic. I plan to do a cheap build on this engine using the same heads that it has now. This engine will be going in my 1800lb T-bucket 'Henry' along with a 700R4 trans. Keeping my 3.08 gears, I should be turning about 1550 rpm @ 55 . So my goal is good low end torque and fuel mileage. I do not plan to drag race so high performance is not a requirement. I have not been able to find any threads on building a 305 for my requirements. So any help is greatly appreciated.. What can I expect with this engine, also any cam grind recommendations . Thanks in advance ....Big Al

[cobalt327]

What I am seeing is there were no "HO" EFI engines, period. The "real" HO engines were along about '83-86, and had a q-jet carb.

Whoever told you the engine had 280 HP, etc. is full of chips, IMO. I don't know what the highest rating was for the TBI-equipped LO3 305 SBC, but it ain't 280 HP. Maybe 100 HP less.

[cool rockin daddy]

Why wouldn't you just get a complete L-31 roller cammed Vortec engine out of a 90's pickup? Stab a mild cam in it, slam a Vortec Performer manifold and four barrel, headers on it and call it a day? So much more power, so much less money and headache.

[adantessr]

Originally Posted by cool rockin daddy

Why wouldn't you just get a complete L-31 roller cammed Vortec engine out of a 90's pickup? Stab a mild cam in it, slam a Vortec Performer manifold and four barrel, headers on it and call it a day? So much more power, so much less money and headache.

I do not have an unlimited supply of money is why. This engine was supposed to be a 5.7 from a 1991 pickup. Long story there. Suffice it to say that I have a case opened with eBay to recoup my money. Seller has until June 10th to settle with me before eBay settles the case. BTW. I did not ask what engine to buy. I asked what to do with this engine, cause it is all I have to work with, unless I get the settlement that I asked for, and look for a running 5.7 to buy with the money, and just sell the 5.0 for scrap iron price. I guess that would be an option, but a running 5.7 vortec is still out of my price range. Again, this engine should have been a 5.7 with swirl port heads in running condition. Be sure that I will personally check out the next engine I buy before I load it up.

[cool rockin daddy]

I am selling my 350 vortec engine(roller cam) and turbo 350 transmission. The engine is dissasembled but everything comes with it (block,heads,crank,pistons,aluminum 4 barrel intake, and new rings still in the box) will also throw in a edelbrock 650 carb with rebuild kit(never opened). The transmission will need to be rebuilt just goes in reverse. This is a package deal so if i separate the prices are differant. I am asking 500 firm!!! for everything will not go any lower so dont ask not trying to be rude just tired of giving my stuff away. If interested call or txt 423 320 4732 for any questions. Have a blessed day.

The above is just one of ads on Craigslist for a 5.7 Vortec Engine. You say you're going to rebuild the engine you have? This guy is in Chatanooga. You could sell the Turbo 350 for a couple of hundred and now you have your engine for $300. Do you already have a carb? Hmmmm, you could sell the Edelbrock carb for $150. Wow, now you have $150 bucks into a complete Vortec engine! Please don't tell me how you're bucks down. A little research and you can find deals that aren't on rip off Ebay. Heck, I should pick up this engine and trans myself.

[cobalt327]

The deal killer might be the engine being disassembled. I had offered a complete (but disassembled) 350 standard bore long block that only needs a crank kit for $150. Unfortunately he ended up w/the 305 instead. My engine was a long ways away, too.

That Vortec sounds like an OK deal. I bought my Vortec w/a bad crank, all else good, standard bore for $150. I had to drive 80 miles round trip to pick it up, though.

[adantessr]

Originally Posted by cool rockin daddy

I am selling my 350 vortec engine(roller cam) and turbo 350 transmission. The engine is dissasembled but everything comes with it (block,heads,crank,pistons,aluminum 4 barrel intake, and new rings still in the box) will also throw in a edelbrock 650 carb with rebuild kit(never opened). The transmission will need to be rebuilt just goes in reverse. This is a package deal so if i separate the prices are differant. I am asking 500 firm!!! for everything will not go any lower so dont ask not trying to be rude just tired of giving my stuff away. If interested call or txt 423 320 4732 for any questions. Have a blessed day.

The above is just one of ads on Craigslist for a 5.7 Vortec Engine. You say you're going to rebuild the engine you have? This guy is in Chatanooga. You could sell the Turbo 350 for a couple of hundred and now you have your engine for $300. Do you already have a carb? Hmmmm, you could sell the Edelbrock carb for $150. Wow, now you have $150 bucks into a complete Vortec engine! Please don't tell me how you're bucks down. A little research and you can find deals that aren't on rip off Ebay. Heck, I should pick up this engine and trans myself.

Well, I guess you have proved me wrong. If I get the correct settlement, I could just sell this 305 for scrap iron price and spend a few hours checking craigslist and just forget eBay. Thanks for the feedback ...Allan

[F-BIRD'88]

Originally Posted by adantessr

Hi am the owner of the 14102187 heads in question. A tech on JustAnswer.com, that I had and online chat with told me that these heads are 305HO heads, and that installed on the V0316TBA engine, which I got burnt on, (pictured in another post) , this engine is factory rated at 280hp. Is this not realistic. I plan to do a cheap build on this engine using the same heads that it has now. This engine will be going in my 1800lb T-bucket 'Henry' along with a 700R4 trans. Keeping my 3.08 gears, I should be turning about 1550 rpm @ 55 . So my goal is good low end torque and fuel mileage. I do not plan to drag race so high performance is not a requirement. I have not been able to find any threads on building a 305 for my requirements. So any help is greatly appreciated.. What can I expect with this engine, also any cam grind recommendations . Thanks in advance ....Big Al

Well the 187 heads are TBI heads not HO heads.

If I was wanting to cruise at 1550rpm @55mph the TBI motor would be a good choice. Do not cam it all up. low rpm = small stock cam.
If you want to upgrade it, install small tube headers and possible mildly port/clean up the 187 TBI heads.
Its a good motor for low rpm use. Thats what it was designed for.
Light load low rpm cruising in overdrive.

305HO motors all had (Qjet) carbs. 9.5ish cr, and the cam was a bit bigger than stock 203-210 @.050 area.
The camaro/firebird 305-5 L TPI motor was essentually the same but with TPI injection.

[cool rockin daddy]

Deals are out there, Allan. That is half the fun of rodding for me, finding the deal. Heck, you ain't too far from that guy. I'd check it out and put $100 down to hold it. The fact that he ends his ad saying "have a blessed day" to me means he's a decent guy and might work with you to get a deal done. Good luck. And stay away from Ebay. Ugh.

[Hippie]

Originally Posted by adantessr

A tech on JustAnswer.com, that I had and online chat with told me that these heads are 305HO heads, and that installed on the V0316TBA engine, which I got burnt on, (pictured in another post) , this engine is factory rated at 280hp. Is this not realistic.

As long as you've been here and you're going to listen to some "tech" on JustAnswer.com over us?!

[badknuckles]

N

Originally Posted by cobalt327

What I am seeing is there were no "HO" EFI engines, period. The "real" HO engines were along about '83-86, and had a q-jet carb.

Whoever told you the engine had 280 HP, etc. is full of chips, IMO. I don't know what the highest rating was for the TBI-equipped LO3 305 SBC, but it ain't 280 HP. Maybe 100 HP less.

I have owned various lo3 motors with and without upgrades, I could not get 280 out of one with those heads for sure