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350 needs more power

10K views 100 replies 10 participants last post by  eldudderino 
#1 ·
i have a 82 el camino with a 350 chevy in it, it has true duals no converters stock manifolds and a trail blazer is faster.....i need help fixing this problem i dont know if i should get an edelbrock intake or switch my rear gearing to 3.73's or headers can someone lead me in the right direction please hahaha
 
#44 ·
Most likely then you have the 305 HO. Unless someone replaced the heads.You should also have flat top pistons as well.With the rite parts & details,you can build a decent performer out of it.Best option would be,IMO,build a bulletproof bottomend,then blow it,or,add the bottle & go bust a few Mustangs in the ***** !!!
 
#53 ·
Determine the power you need/want,then decide how to get there.Include budget in design.
Nice little street blower cam for your supercharged 305 with either ported 4416's or L31 vortec heads on it.
Bolt in with just a valve spring change.
Comp cams CS268AH-14 pn #12-404-4
Use a 750 or 800 or 850cfm carb.

Usually on these cars you use a Cowl induction hood (2.5" to 3") so the Edelbrock blower fits under El Camino hood. A small low profile hood scoop works too.

The Weiand 142cid blower is another very good way to supercharge this motor.
That sounded like sarcasm lol.....they re just trying to tell you all is not lost just because its a 305.
Being realistic, $1000 isn't a "budget" for performance anything. Its gas money for a couple months.
If its my El Camino, is not a daily driver, and its only purpose is to run a few mustangs down on a Fri night my $1000 goes like this
It likely has 342ish gears
$100 on a mini spool
$300 on long tubes, straight thru race bullets and turndowns
$100 on tune up parts
$250 on a used high rise intake and 650DP
$250 on a used plate kit and spray it with 150 shot.
If it breaks, who cares, its a 305 and the yard has plenty for sub $500 bucks.
ya this thing is going to be my daily driver and i dont have the money yet to do anything but your answer is more realistic hahaha
 
#50 ·
I would definitley start w/ a later model roller block.The Vortec 350 is a good platform to start with.1 piece RMS,roller cam & lifters,heads that can support 400 HP.9.4:1 CR.Stock pistons are kinda crappy from a performance standpoint,but.overall,a good foundation to build on.
 
#52 ·
That sounded like sarcasm lol.....they re just trying to tell you all is not lost just because its a 305.
Being realistic, $1000 isn't a "budget" for performance anything. Its gas money for a couple months.
If its my El Camino, is not a daily driver, and its only purpose is to run a few mustangs down on a Fri night my $1000 goes like this
It likely has 342ish gears
$100 on a mini spool
$300 on long tubes, straight thru race bullets and turndowns
$100 on tune up parts
$250 on a used high rise intake and 650DP
$250 on a used plate kit and spray it with 150 shot.
If it breaks, who cares, its a 305 and the yard has plenty for sub $500 bucks.
 
#59 ·
As of now,you really don't know what you have to work with.As fas i know,the 305 HO wasn't available in the El Camino,so somebody either switched heads.or,complete motors.If you have the 305 HO,it should have flat top pistons & 9.5:1 CR.If so.a healthier cam & matching valvetrain parts,a good intake,carb,& headers should get you a good runner w/ proper gearing.Just keep in mind tho,that it doesn't cost a penny more to do the same parts,same work,to a 350 w/ better results.As for wether you choose a Vortec,ir is already roller ready & the heads alone are already a 30 to 40 HP headstart.If considering a BBC,or,LS engine,it won't be plug n play.You will need everything especially with an LS swap.
 
#61 ·
well the guy i bought it from said there was a 350 in it and the block casting number says 305 (14010201) but he had to take the motor out because it isnt the stock intake and you can see where he painted the whole engine chevy orange because there are spots where the paint is flaking off and it is blue and the guy took out the A/C and the windshield washer fluid reservoir i dont know maybe that isnt the block number and is off the heads or something mayeb it is a 350 with 305 heads haha i dont know
 
#64 ·
Either way you go,you will need gears & headers,so,I would start there.That will lay the groundwork for everything else.You can get an RPM intake,750 Q'jet,& a Lunati VooDoo cam kit for that $1000.Assuming your current motor is healthy,this combo would get that El Camino moving out pretty strong.Especially if your motor is the HO version w/ the flat tops & higher CR.
 
#66 ·
Without boost or nitrous,you can build the 305 to 275,maybe 300 HP & still have a dependable & fun daily street driver.After that,you are gonna start having drivability issues.That mite slay some of the average run of the mill 'stangs,but,not the 1's that have had any effort put into em,or.the later models w/ EFI,etc.You can take a new crate 350,or,a decently rebuilt 350,add headers w/ good exhaust,750 carb,or,EFI setup & have your 300 HP rite there.There are lots of options including the V6 F-bird mentioned.It just depends on what you want & how much time,effort,& $$$ you are willing to put out to have it.THE FASTER YOU WANNA GO,THE MORE IT COST !!! Lol.:spank:
 
#67 ·
yeah man i hear ya but i was thinking the first thing i could do is put new rear gears in it so that way i have more torque and then it will be matched greatly if i drop a new motor in it the mustangs around here are like 96 cobras and gt's and stuff and that blazer that beat me...hahaha and hondas ohh lord there are a lot of hondas
 
#68 ·
The earlier SN95 stangs were slow and heavy....they did get better in the later years, but your going to need a lot more then gears if its a 305 el Camino, the Honda's are an even bigger pain, its a complete crap shoot with them, could be a d15 with a fart can, or it could be a stripped hatch with a B18....one goes 17's, the other 13's....add boost and your screwed lol.
 
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