Hello, I have a 86 Caprice Classic that I plan on overhauling the engine in the near future. My question to the community is whats the better route... replace the 305 5.0 w/ a 350 big block? I have heard oldschool mechanics say that I want notice the difference if I just upgrade the 305 w/ headers, intake, carb, and high performance overhaul kit. Would like to hear from some guys w/ experince w/ chevys, and is it really worth it. Thanks in advance for you professional response.

Hello, I have a 86 Caprice Classic that I plan on overhauling the engine in the near future. My question to the community is whats the better route... replace the 305 5.0 w/ a 350 big block? I have heard oldschool mechanics say that I want notice the difference if I just upgrade the 305 w/ headers, intake, carb, and high performance overhaul kit. Would like to hear from some guys w/ experince w/ chevys, and is it really worth it. Thanks in advance for you professional response.

first of all the 350 is a small block, and the 305 is a good motor but it is weak in some places, the 350 would be the better way to go

unless you're lookin for better gas mileage, but I have a 305 right now, and wish to God that I had a 350. So I guess the better way ta go is 350 (4 bolt main)

depend son how long you want the car to be dead and how much gas you like to buy all the time and how much $ you want to spend on the engine

personally unless the car is some race car or show car or soemthign crazy id find a good running 305 out of a car truck camaro firebird van whatever 80 and up and swap her in and be done and drive again and have good gas mileage and reliability and driveability again like it should be

but its all up to you,

good luck

In regards to the earlier post, both the 305 and 350-cid are small blocks. The closest thing to that displacement in a big block would be the 348-cid (from 1950's and 1960's). Generally, anything now a 400-cid and smaller is a small block (exception: 396-cid and 348-cid) and anything larger than 400 is a big block (the 400 is max of small block because it had water jacket passages removed to make bigger displacement).

i have an 88 350 tbi heads drilled for rollers from fact needs to be rebuilt $interested$ or go old school 283/350 horse double hump heads (no bolt holes)

Just keep in mind it has to meet emissions standards, if your area has them. I had a '82 Caprice with a '75 350 that was a dog to get it inspected emissions wise. I'd never go through that again.

Bob

most states are going to obd11 with only a visual check for pre obd11 cars you can usually get a waiver for show/or street rods

Just keep in mind it has to meet emissions standards, if your area has them. I had a '82 Caprice with a '75 350 that was a dog to get it inspected emissions wise. I'd never go through that again.

Bob


Im surprised to hear that in New York there still checking emissions in the early 80's cars. Here in Massachusetts they test 85 and newer for emissions and safety. They just check my 83 for safety

NY, at least Westchester, NYC and Long Island, have the emissions thing with the inspection on anything 25 years on down.

They had tightened up the specs on the early 80's cars twice within the last 5 years, which has decimated the big Caprice population. My car has to run on the dyno with NY State witnessing the inspection. I do most of my own work and it runs nice, replaced the cat last year. The car is 100% emissions legal, passes with flying colors all the time.

I see virtually NO other Caprice wagons on the road.

Bob