witch heads are best

[77 vega kammback]

i am looking for heads for my 305 but dont know what to get im looking for good hp boost any suggestions are welcome

[283vega]

You will need to find the specs on your original heads and match the combustion chamber size.Many 305s had small chambers like 58cc.You will lose compression and power if you go larger, small is ok.The problem is not many heads avalible with small chambers.Trick Flow has a set with 56cc chambers and aluminum.This all assumes you are using your stock short block assembly.305s also had small valves so they would not hit the block at max lift due to the small bore size.

[77 vega kammback]

then what would be the alternative for boosting hp other than heads and a intake btw im tring to go as cheep as i can

[cjbiagi]

Making power usually takes money, if you are really trying to do it on a budget best way is with tuning. A fresh tuneup and playing with ignition timing costs very little. After that you are looking at exhaust improvements and then intake improvements, carb, intake, heads. Going deeper into the engine requires a cam change and compression increase etc.

[spencerforhire]

A lot of people will tell you that the 305 is not worth the time and and effort to upgrade it, and that more cubes(350 or more) is a better way to go. Really only partially correct; the 305 is limited as to what you can use for heads because of the small bore, but if you've already got one, why not try to optimize the whole package before tossing it for something larger.

[gerbsinmd]

i am looking for heads for my 305 but dont know what to get im looking for good hp boost any suggestions are welcome

I've heard that some of the Vortec heads can be shaved enough to keep from losing compression, and if you pair those with some thinner head gaskets, to get the quench a bit more optimised you can really wake up the 305. Of course at that point you will need to invest in a cam if you really want to take advantage of the better heads (vortec). Then you need to start worrying about the amount of lift on the Vortec heads, but that is easily overcome by the same people that would be shaving the heads. It goes on and on, but I've used some of the HP calculators and guestimated that 250+ hp is relatively easy to do with the 305.

[anorexicvega]

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/chevrolet/0667_phrs_305_chevy_engine_blocks/viewall.html

Heres a good read on the 305, my best advice is don't listen to anyone who says small bore engines cant make power, 350s are definitely cheaper to rebuild freshly, but 305s are plentiful in the junkyards for 75 bucks, vortec heads are as well, find a cheap used roller cam, buy a gasket kit and have fun

[marco_1978_spyder]

If you go with flat top pistons, then the 14022601 heads from a monte SS are a little better than the stocker's and can be found for a budget price. There around because the circle track guys buy them for class limited race engines.

[77 vega kammback]

thanks alot i now have a better view of what to do with the 305 thanks guys

[Monza Harry]

Hi 77. The problem isn't the bore in it self the problem is that the 4.00 cylinder heads (350/327/302, and even worse the 4.125, 400) will hang the comb. chamber over the deck and depending on valve dia. the valves may actually hit the bore! The 305 HO cylinder heads are about the best you will get (I believe these are the ones Marco referred to) or try and find some 305 vortec heads, valve sizes may not be optimized though, but generally the vortec heads are usually good breathers in the small blocks. The 305 isn't a bad choice it is claimed to have a better bore/stroke/rod ratio than a 454( I don't remember which Mag I read this in ) I have owned one and in a daily driver it was fun to drive (lots of torque by way of stroke) and delivered great V8 mileage. Unfortunately the 305 doesn't enjoy the same aftermarket support the 350 does ( and because it bolts on doesn't mean it will work as promised, and heads is the first place that shows up!) So go forward and use some thought, as you already have, weigh your options, consider your advisers findings and BURN some RUBBER! Harry