I have an 87 Conquista with the 305-4bbl. It runs good,but I would like more hp.I want to keep the stock engine and all original numbers.What would be the easiest way to make more horses without costing me an arm and leg? Also,it is the 4sp.automatic.Can someone tell me what the transmission is (numerically)? How do I tell what gears I have in the rear end? Thanks.

Well, before all the 305 haters get started like they do every time someone mentions that they would like to get more out of a 305, I'll tell you that it is possible. The number one thing to do is to improve the breathing. Better flowing heads are number one in my book, followed by better breathing exhaust. You could find a TPI system from a mid 80s to early 90s Vette, Camaro, Impala or Firebird. That system was actually developed for the 305 as GM was thinking of dropping the 350 in favor of the 305, but changed their minds and threw the TPI on the 350 altough it was meant for the 305.

Even I won't recommend spending a great deal of money building a 305 from the ground up, but most anything that you bolt to a 305 will bolt to a 350 or 383 later if you decide to build a real ground-pounder.

There's a thread on building a 305 called "help me build a 305". but they aren't a good performance engine. Dual exhaust and maybe an intake is as far as you'd practically want to go with that engine.

The trans is a TH200-4r, and the rear is likely a 2.41.

Chevy High Perf magazine has done some work with the 305 that may be helpful- http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/tech/engines_drivetrain/complete_builds/0706ch_small_block_bolt_ons/index.html

8) Had a kid here in town had a stroker 305 came out to somthing like 335 (can't remember so sure) in a full size Chevy Pickup. He was running in the high 14s at the track! :cool:

I have an 87 Conquista with the 305-4bbl. It runs good,but I would like more hp.I want to keep the stock engine and all original numbers.What would be the easiest way to make more horses without costing me an arm and leg? Also,it is the 4sp.automatic.Can someone tell me what the transmission is (numerically)? How do I tell what gears I have in the rear end? Thanks.
How much is your arm and leg worth? How much more hp do you want to squeeze out? If you are dead set on keeping the OE for numbers etc, for $3000 you can max out your hp, and credit cards. Vortec heads, vortec intake, different cam, lifters will get you to the 300 hp mark assuming your block, pistons and other internals are up to snuff. If you are looking for more reasonably priced upgrades that will give a small difference in hp try changing the intake, carb and going true dual exhaust.

I would say your gears are most likely 2.56 since I have opened up 3 rear ends from OEM 87 V8 equipped elkys and they all were 2.56

What would be the easiest way to make more horses without costing me an arm and leg?
OK, I'll be the first one to say it in this thread. Get a 350 crate motor.

How do I tell what gears I have in the rear end?
The 87 El Camino with a 305 and an OD tranny came with one of two rears. It's either a 3.08 or a 2.41 rear. To tell which it is, you can crawl underneath and wirebrush the front of the passenger side axle tube to find the axle code that is stamped there. Then post it here so we can decode it for you. Or, you can remove the cover and read the numbers off the pinion gear.

You could just look for the G92 code in the glovebox sticker. G92=3.08

Thanks to all of you that answered my questions about hopping up the 305,etc. It was a lot of help,to me and probably to others that have this same question.