[Moedog07]

A L-79 or L-82 clone cam is a good cam for a 305 SBC. Either one will give you the desired sound at idle. In a 305 either one take off will feel about the same with a stronger 2500 to 4500 mid range.

Here is one of those cams in a .010 over 305 with Edelbrock Torker intake, long tube headers. 4v carburetor, HEI etc. The L-79 camshaft is easy on the valve train.

 

[Moedog07]

L79 was a 11.0:1 compression engine. Just sayin'!

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

I'm clear on the compression of that engine.

I recomended that camshaft it because it is easy on the valve train and just works. It's not a end all - cure all but it's easy to find and cheap to buy. I am sure there are better cams available. Much like women and barbecue everyone has a favorite.
I've used those cams in 350, 327, & 305 engines without any issues. These were definitely not 11.0:1 compression engines. I'd be shocked if they were 9.0:1.
I also recommend the L-82 camshaft which has larger lift numbers than the L-79 camshaft but GM listed that engine at 350CID, 210 hp and 9.0:1 compression.
The OP can do as he pleases I only offered what has worked for me. The truck in the video was a 305, 700R4 with a 2.70-ish rear end. It is a pleasure to drive.

The OP stated "I wanted to sound choppy/lopey..."

 

[Moedog07]

@Tynan918

My question to you is do you want a smooth stock idle or a noticeable idle (choppy) from the engine or have you changed your mind?
If you stay somewhere near the original camshaft's specs it will sound "stock". If you want a noticeable idle you will need to use a tighter LSA or more duration or both.

 

[Moedog07]

If you're interested in saving a few dollars check out the Summit Racing brand hydraulic camshaft # SUM-1102. It is Summit's version of the Edelbrock Performer-plus camshaft for a SBC. The specs are very close. That has been a very popular cam grind for several decades. In my experience it runs better than the stock 350 camshaft. Should be noticeable in a 305. No new springs or converter needed. New timing set is strongly advised. Whatever camshaft you use be sure to use quality lifters and break-in oil when breaking in the cam and lifters.

 

[Moedog07]

The cams listed above by the OP are getting into the lift and duration numbers of GM's L-79 and L-82 camshafts.

 

[Moedog07]

you are still looking at 350 cams. The 305 has the same piston speed as a 350 3.7 bore Vs a 4" bore of a 350.

To my knowledge the 305 has the same 3.48" stroke as a 350 just a small variation in bore size. It could be looked at as an .30 under-bored 350. (We are talking close to a 1/4 of an inch per cylinder) using a 350 spec cam in the OP's worn out engine will gain his desired result.

I believe the same basic performance "improvements" cam, intake, exhaust, timing apply. With that said a choppy lopey idle from a flat tappet cam should be easier to obtain using off the shelf 350 parts. In my youth we ran "rings & bearings" rebuilt 305s for dirt track racing when money was tight. Those received the speed parts from the 350 that had died the weekend before. They ran good for what they were.

350 parts - Looking at cost, the price on a stock cam for a SBC is the same as a generic mild cam.

🍿🍿🍿🍿 Just munching away at this point! Tynan do you still want the lopey sound even at the expense of bottom end power, using an old worn out stock 305? If you do, just say so! It's easy to choose such a cam. Wanting this is not a crime, and plenty of people have done this before! Probably run better than it did with your flat stock cam.

Joining 2001Blazer4x4 🍿🍿🍿 Just munching away at this point!

 

[Moedog07]

Not my ride,
but you may have been able to install a junk yard or used engine (305 or 350) for the same cost of your camshaft and timing components. This would be a weekend swap and have you back on the road quickly.

Usually I pay around $1.25 to $1.50 per cubic-inch for a used engine.

 

[Moedog07]

🍿 🍿 🍿 just watching the show.