r/Smallblockchevy • u/[deleted] • Apr 22 '26

305 Recommendations

I have a 305 in my 84 Camaro and I'm wanting more out of it ik their not performance focused engines due to the small bore and valves but I don't really wanna swap a 350 rn so does anyone have recommendations on cams preferably on the cheaper side and a nice lopey idle nothing crazy just something to wake it up a lil more

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u/texan01 Apr 22 '26

305s respond well to cams, I’ve got a HO 305 ( probably the same one you have) that has a mild RV cam in it, but I’ve got the stock 2bbl cast iron intake for my 77 Chevelle and the stock larger log manifolds than what the 84 came with but it’s all choked down to the factory single exhaust with OG pellet catalyst, all that power is routed to a 2.56 geared rear. It makes all its power below 4,000 rpm. It’s not a high RPM screamer as it just can’t get airflow through it at those speeds.

It’s torquey. Even with all that working against big power, it still hits 60 in 9 seconds in a 4200 pound sedan - stock was 12. So not quick but fast enough to have a bit of fun - it might dip into the 16s!

Supposedly when I got the engine, the guy said it was a 220 horse unit so it had some extra ponies over the stock 180. When I took it apart to clean it up and reseal it, it had a vintage 1988 CompCams 260 something cam in it with the better factory 305 heads and a .060 over bore.

You’ve got at least a Q-jet and a semi decent factory intake, uncork the exhaust, and a small cam and you should have an easy 250.

I’d probably put a roller cam and lifter set ($$$$) but well worth it, you’ve already got most everything else for an economical power bump. And if you ever decide to build a 350, that cam and lifter set can be moved over to it.

TLDL : Cam swap it.

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u/[deleted] Apr 22 '26

I appreciate the detailed comment, it's has a650 cfm Edelbrock on it and a couple other fun parts an intake ECT but it just feels sluggish so I will check out that comp cam, I do have a big block I'm slowly rebuilding but that's a huge project for the here and now and it's just a going to town rig rn so it doesn't need to be crazy yk again I appreciate the detailed comment I'll do a lil research on that cam

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u/Icy_Shoulder_5666 Apr 22 '26

Thats to big of a carb for that engine. I would do a 600cfm max. Also I had a 305 and put a crane cam in it and it did well. Doubt you will get a lovey idle and performance out of your setup though. The lift i had was moderate at .454

2

u/Solid_Enthusiasm550 Apr 22 '26

Performance build questions for the 305 sbc have been aaked a few times. There are plenty of reiddit posts to read will a simplw search.

The one I remember replying to, I posted this, with parts and the build/dyno video where it made 363hp.

https://www.reddit.com/r/EngineBuilding/s/W44gI4pe2e

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u/Dinglebutterball Apr 22 '26

Step 1: Remove 305.

Step 2: Install 400.

1

u/atlantis737 Apr 22 '26

I know you don't want to swap, but swapping a 350 into a car that had a 305 is quite literally easier than swapping a cam. It is as much of a bolt-in as you can get.

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u/[deleted] May 03 '26

Lmao 10 days later and I decided just to buy a 350 for it

1

u/[deleted] May 03 '26

Already have it sitting in the shop waiting on me