Hey, just about two weeks ago I finally bought a 1984 El camino with a 5.0 in it, not the SS though. I have tons of fun driving it, but as you all know, the 5.0 bone stock doesn't do much at all. Now I spent almost all my money on it, and I'm still in school, so I don't have a huge budget. But I would like to do what ever I can to get a little more out of my V-8. From what I have read everyone recommends just getting a 350, but if i were to do that, it probably won't happen for 10 years. So what do you all think are the best cost effective upgrades for this car? I know its never gonna be a drag racer and blow the doors off people, but I just want a little more. Some thing that can go along with that nice rumble of the V-8. I'll listen to any tips you people have, thanks big time :D .

PS. Hopefully I will be getting some pics up of the machine, and soon. I'm pretty proud of my little car truck, only person I know that has one :)

It feels like it has some power that isn't being used all the way, could a good torque converter do some good? or is it not worth it?

Welcome to ECC Steve! http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/new_newbie.gif

First of all, you probably have a 2.41 rear in your El Camino. Changing it to a 3.42 or a 3.73 will noticibly wake up the anemic LG4 305. It'll seem like you have another 20 or 30 horsepower. (You really wont, but it'll seem like it.)

I'm pretty proud of my little car truck, only person I know that has one
Oh yeah? Now you know 1500 other people that have an El Camino

:mrgreen:

Changing the rearend gear will make it get up and go, but it'll also hurt your gas mileage. Is this a concern? Do you do more highway or stop and go city driving?

Gas Mileage isn't much of a concerne too me. I don't do much highway driving at all, mostly just too school and work, both of which are pretty close. Only time I drive a lot is when I'm just cruising, and if I'm having a good time, I don't mind putting a little extra gas into it.

Then rearend gear ratios of between 3:23 to 1 and up to 3:73 to 1 would still be somewhat fuel effecient but give you a noticeable difference. The 3:73 to 1 being the most noticeable change.

Thanks for the help guys, I'm definitely looking into a new Rear now. Hopefully I can make it happen 8-)

Welcome to ECC.

That 305 can produce a respectable 300 to 350 horses no problem but it will still take money and if you do it right you can use the upgrades if you ever get a 350 or 383, 400 etc... Well maybe some issues if you got a 400 SBC.

You'll need a better cam, heads and intake. You could do with some headers and reduction pulleys and if your able to get rid if the engine driven fan in place of an electrical fan.

Chevy Vortec heads are around 475.00 a set complete "New", they can handle up to about .5 lift in the cam. My preference is DynoMax cerma coated headers and get the AirGap intake a 600 CFM Holly, and probably the XE268 from Comp Cams or HE268.

You'll get a little lope in the idle and a lot better response from the engine.

Just some ideas in case your interested. If you do it a little at a time then you'll eventually get there. Just headers should free up about 5 to 10 ponies. Get the fan gone and you've freed another 10 or so ponies. Then do the rear gear swap and you've go a respectable performing truck.

Good Luck and congratulation on the Elky Purchase.

My auto shop teacher(also owner of a 64, mostly a late model and 80's Z freak though) recomended replacing the thermostat with a 160 degree stat. A new thermostat is like 12 bucks. What does this do exactly?

thanks-
Luke

P.S- I am in the same boat as you- Highschool student/mediocre budget/ 305/ 1984 camino too!

Performance wise, it will do nothing noticible. What it will do is cause your motor to run cooler by probably 20 degrees or more and being that your in Florida, it may not be a bad idea. It may help prevent your engine from overheating on a hot day when your stuck in traffic.

My friend works at a "u pull it" place, so I'm having him check for monte SS rears. I was wondering, where can you find the electric engine fans? i have looked a little, but haven't had much luck, thanks.