350 or 383
 

ive got stupid 305 in my firebird right now and i hate it. i really like the car but hate the motor. so i'm getting a 350 with 4 bolt mains for it. i really wanna make it into a 383 stroker which would be no problem due to my uncle builds motors for a living. only problem is im only 17 and dont make very much money. i know its gonna suck on gas anyway but should i just do basics on the 350 or go all out with a 383 stroker??

You should focus more on getting a nice set of heads and a valve train... they make power.

Slap a nice set of heads on the 350 and enjoy.

ok thanks. know anywhere with low priced heads? new or used?

well...a 383 isn't that much money but it does cost money . if you uncle builds motor then see how much he would charge you ... (family discount)

now you can build a 350 for 400+ horsepower for like 3-400 dollars the blot-on list is almost endless.

now me i would go 383 and add more power later

Your uncle might be able to hook you up with used 400 sbc stuff for dirt cheap if you wanted to go 383

my uncle probably wouldnt charge me to help build it but he doesnt have any small block stuff anymore. all he's got is big block stuff. but i think he might have dart heads off his old turbo nova. if i do go 350 what size cam should i ue. i want a really agressive one but still decent for a daily car

Does this thing have to go through a state inspection sniffer test?

idk? lol. probably?

You could just throw a 150 shot on the 305 and have fun.

true. true. but im gonna have to change the motor soon anyway bc the first owner (im the second) was an older lady and never took care of it for some reason? its got 16x,xxx miles on it and i think she only put one tuneup on it. now, even tuned up, it runs like ****. even put a new carb on it but it didnt help

what exactly does the motor do that makes it "run like ****".

A decent motor may cost more then you think, and you gotta think about your budget and how much your planning to put aside for it.

it smokes bad. and it shakes the crap outta the car. its only in my yard at the moment but time to get it ready.

Fix 305. Enjoy. Win.

Eh?

Let's start here. What's your budget?

when you swapped cards, you know the computer uses the carb to make everything run smooth in conjunction with the ignition?

Putting it together isnt really the costly part though, block prep and parts are. I would go with a stroker or you could always get a used TPI off of Hawks Third Gen, 305 is $1000 and a 350 is $1200. Just suggestions.

You can probably get a decent running used engine for a few $$ bucks.

I think THAT might be why the engine is... a little "iffy". Seems like most (not all, but most) 3rd gen 305's need some serious maintenance at around 150k.

I would go with the 350, personally. If it'll still be your daily driver, it may save you some gas (but that's also depending on your driving habits) over the 383. My advice would be to do some minor changes to get the car running smooth, then build it slowly. It's amazing with what little modifications can do to the feel of a car.

Just to step in real fast:

I beg to differ. Aside from usual maintence I never had any problems on High mileage engines

Sorry, I should have clarified. I was speaking from experience from the time that I was looking around to buy a 3rd gen (5-6 month search), it seemed that most with high mileage had an engine swap needed, or at least rebuild, at around 150,000 miles.

Naturally, there are plenty of variables that define an engine's life span. Owner care and maintenance, the foundation.

a big cam would be a little easier to manage with the extra displacement of the 383, you won't pass emissions though.

305s do have a reputation for cam issues on high mileage cars. And carbed ones have a tendency to wear more due to rich cold running. EFI is more precise and tends not to wash the cyl walls down and thus less wear.

If I were you, I would try to find a used lower miles 1996 to 2000 vortec 350 out of a tahoe, silverado, van, pickup etc. The vortec heads make great power for a budget build, plus they are all roller motors from what I understand. you can probably score one with 60-80k on it for like 500 bucks. Just bolt on an edelbrock vortec airgap intake manifold, holley or edelbrock 600cfm vaccum secondary carb, get a non computer distributer, and have fun. you may have to run an inline electric fuel pump too as I dont think that the vortec blocks have the mechanical fuel pump provision cast into them. IF you decide to put a cam in it, you will have to either buy comp cams behive springs and retainers, or have the valve guides and spring boss' machined to accomadate for the higher lift and a decent set of valve springs. This is more than likely the cheapest way to get that car to haul @ss. Unless you can find someone selling a used motor that already has some work into it. I would not suggest going that route due to that fact that most people modify motors in order to beat the piss out of them.

Good luck with the build!

Before you dive into this build you better price everything out. Big engine and cam will need more then just the rotating assembly: Fuel system, intake, heads, maybe a convertor change, maybe cooling system upgrade, rear isn't going to last. And right away you should play to install subframe connects. I good running 383 will twist the car apart!

I went the 383 route. I had to save a little more but it was worth it in the end. I have over 5k in the engine alone so it was not cheap but Im happy I did it.