I Own a 1984 Elky with a 305 Engine. I want to put something that will give it more power and speed. With the California Smog laws stating that nothing can be done with the motor except stock parts of that year and engine type.

I must be able to do somethimg to get more that the stock 145 hp with a
5.0 / 305 engine. does anyone have any sugestions for me?????

Anyone ????? :-(

I don't know if this is a possiblity, as I know nothing of the laws out there, but could you put a fuel injected v6 in there?

If you can, look around and find a LC2 (3.8L SFI Turbo) motor from an '86 or '87 T-type or Grand National. A complete motor with wiring harness and computer runs about $1500. They said from the factory the motor made 245hp @ 3600rpm and 355ft/lbs@2000rpm, but the numbers were closer to 300hp and 400fl/lbs. That should get you a little more power and if you really want to go nuts, put a little more into it. The motor responds well to bolt ons. My Buick was dynoed at 420rwhp@4200, 580ft/lbs@2250, I have about $2000 in after market parts on my engine.

It can be done physically, there are a couple people running around with this set up. As for the laws, I don't know about that. Good luck, and let me know if you do it. Trust me, if you feel the power that little motor makes, you will be hooked. It also gets the economics of a six cylinder, I achieve about 17-20mpg city, but, on 93 octane only.

The law doesn't state that nothing non-stock can be done/added to the engine, it states nothing that is going negatively affect tailpipe emissions can be done. You can do lots to improve performance and still pass smog. Headers, high-flow cat, performance muffler/tailpipe assy, CARB legal cam swap, high-flow cylinder heads, blueprint short block, CARB approved intake/carb. I'm sure I'm missing stuff but that will keep you bust for a while.

No law stopping you from "upgrading" your vehicle's power plant and emissions package, as in '86 or better LT1 package from a "Z" or similiar. It's alot of work but BIG payoff and smog legal! Make sure you do your homework on the swap. Good luck.

SHARP71

Lots of people are asking the same question now that gas is a premimum

http://elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4685

If you've got a way cool performance set up then I'd give it up as far as trying to "squeeze" MPG from them. Its a contradition of terms in my books.

I like a 305 for a work engine. It can be good up to around 300 horses is about the limit. 145 Hp is not good enough to push a truck. You can go to a Junk Yard and pull the 305 complete out of a 90 - 95 caprice and get better low end torque, and if you snag the tranny you'll be getting around 20 Mpg and leagal.

GM's TPI system is absoultly wonderful at producing low end torque and lots of it and they get good miliage. I'd stick a CARB approved ignition system from an aftermarket vendor on it still.

Edelbrock Performer Series (not Performer RPM) parts are 50 state emissions legal...make sure you get the intake with EGR if you go with Edelbrock. Headers must have air-injection tubes and O2 sensor, a 2 1/2" exhaust system with a Borla catalytic converter. Upgrading your HEI distributor to 50K volts by swapping the coil is inexpensive and will even help decrease emissions. You'll still be legal. These are bolt-on swaps, if you want to do a rebuild/swap of the motor, there's more you can do, they don't check cubic inches or compression ratios (although 10-1 is about as high that will work on 93 octane pump gas and still pass).

Probably I can't help you much. I have a 1983 Elky which is a California certified model with a 305 ( I previously thought it was a 350, but the dealer checked). It is an automatic and the shift points move it to the highest gear quickly. It has a quadrajet carb and a single exhaust.
Performance is not really there, the car is a bit of a slug unless you really put your foot in it, but I am getting about fourteen miles per gallon in normal driving. Since it is a V-8, the reserve is there, but with gas prices what they are, I am not about to look for more power.
Eric

HP equals gas milage My current set up gets outstanding gas milage with my peak econ. coming at 90mph or so running under 2000rpms. Ask yourself where is my power going? Are my tires overworn and 4 pounds low on one side? Why does my tranny smell like a Betty Crocker almond fudge puddle? and why does my diff. sound like a molested blender? Most HP isn't lost in the engine so it can't be lost in the engine. Did you know that a 50HP motor can lift more than your stock 305 motor can lift but will only move it at 10mph. Add torque at the tranny and take that molested blender off your rear!!! Move your tires faster while moving your crank at the same speed..........and you will find that at $2 per gallon you can still enjoy the great ride in which you pride!!! I dare you to guess my set-up and my out of pocket expenses. If gas gets anymore expensive I'll be blowing by ya'all in your imported **** bucketts on my way to purchase from you that 305 you think you can't afford

I'll be blowing by ya'all in your imported Potty Mouth bucketts I don't own any imported Potty Mouth bucketts. But I do own several cars that vary in gas mileage that they get...and oh yeah I got a 10 speed mountain bike too...just in case! :lol: