� Alexander Bilan Offered us all the following upon 305/350 �
> 
> >in good shape. 350 is the most cost effective, a 305 isn't anything to
> >sniff at! They tend to be quit responsive to a 4Bbl and some pepping up.
> >at the very least they get better mileage than a 350 gas sucker.
>
>I have to give that a loud snort of disagreement on this one Richard.
>=) 305s don't give you any better gas mileage than a 350.  The nature
>of a 305 makes it as much a gas sucker (as you put it) as a 350.
>Why waste time building up a 305, when you can have a 350, and benifit
>from more parts, (you can't put a 350 head onto a 305 without notching
>the cylinder walls for valve clearance) , and a few more cubic inches.
Ok, I will assume this is a reasoned arguement instead of a blurbish
yell. (I have seen both on this topic in the past)
 I meant a 305 was quite responsive to a 4 barrel and manifold change
because quite often a 350 block will cost about two to three times the
price of the 305 in a scrapyard. I have NEVER seen someone build up
a 305 and not get some pretty damn good mileage. A 350 when built up
will create alot worse problem along those lines ($5 to go to the
STORE?? - at least you can do it in under 2 minutes) It's a case of the
304 being a smaller CID, having a flow that will not go as high as a 350
and working tons better with a muffler system. I am not saying a 305
will outdo any 350, I am saying that cost effective wise it's a damn
nice motor and easy to make a performance deal out of. As for the heads,
switching 350 heads on a 305 is.. well.. dumb :>
 What would you gain? As you pointed out the chamber size is different
enough to make it a real chore, you lose mega compression and gain only
sewer valves.
> > For an outright hotrod engine find a 283 somewhere (there are lots
> >around) These things are tough as snot, put a single plane manifold 4Bbl
> >carb and hardened seats is and let 'er fly :>
>
>I dunno about your area, but around here, 350 chevies are much more
>common than a 283.  But again, I would have to say, why waste time
>building up a 283 when you can build up a 350 for the same price and
>get more out of it? 
 Wow, hafta disagree here :>
283's are about the second most common motor in our area (Canada only
had Chevy powerplants for GM/Chevy/Pontiac lines all during the 60's
and seventies.) as for the WHY? The motor is IndesTRUCTABLE! :> :> :>
It has a cylinder wall that can be bored out over 120 degrees, (many
many rebuilds are possible) is a stock forged crankshaft and has
alot of parts that are just so solid they don't break under stress.
The Crank is the small journal crank, the motor survives and thrives on
high RPM and is generally an outright Roddable motor.
 A 350 will be as expensive to build in our area, while they have
alot more CID true, a 400 has more than a 350... I mean where do you
want to draw a line in the sand? A prepped 283 and 350 are very close,
the 350 will break much sooner though. Fact, proved hundreds of times to
the point of common knowledge around our area. The difference will be
that a single plane 283 prepped will net you about 280 hp, and it will
redline somewhere around 7 grand, maybe 8. It comes with a Forged crank,
very little work will need done, Heads and roller rockers with a good
lumped cam will finish it. single plane manifold (Very important ;>)
and 4Bbl is the norm.
 A 350 will get you about 300 hp, push the limit and it has closer to
400. It will require a decent cooling system in the car for sure,
you will need to invest in lightweight rods and a forged crank,
Reciprical (sp?) weight is what usually does a 350 in at high RPM.
Headwork is easier as it is basically just asking for bigger valves,
Standard roller rockers and a good cam of course. While I am sure I am
skipping things here the end product is a motor that usually redlines at
6 to 7 grand and makes 120 to 200 more hp. While that sounds great, it
something that only really shows at a track unfortunatly. and the 350's
heads will outflow anything short of a Ford Boss motor ;> that means you
will be paying the gas companies winter vacations for many many moons...
 The final point is that if you feel the need to rod out
an engine more has to be considered than just "which is more powerfull"?
The 283 has proved itself as a beautiful motor time and time again as
it lasts forever, provides gobs of power and can keep up with
engines closer to a third bigger on a street. It is a quite nice choice
for a motor that is for an outright rod, while it will never beat a 350
in a track situation it has a good mpg, lives at high rpm and can be
driven anywhere for alot less money invested. I have always maintained
that if you want a street rod the 283 is the choice motor, if you want a
powerhouse with rotten mileage go for a 427 or 454. (The 427 will last
longer as it is a bit more of a streetable motor, the 454 in high
performance world will kick ass until the day it blows apart ;> )
... 99 marries 86 - changes name to "69"!
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