125 shot and ride.

 

If I replace, rebuild, or keep, I'd like to see how much I can get out of a motor without spraying.

 

well I can tell you from experiance that doing what your gonna do is gonna cost alot more than you think. Unless you have alot of spare parts to throw on then I weigh the options. Ive got an 86 Iroc with a TPI 305. I got it on the dyno stock and put down 141hp/228tq. I then spent the money on headers, y pipe and catback and only yield' 148hp/331tq. humm that was almost $500 and crappy gains. Then decided to get a cam kit and put it in. Then ended up having to replace the timing chain/gears cause they were slam worn out. pushrods, rocker arms etc. Then got to thinking I wanted to spray it so I didnt want to risk it having 20 year old head gaskets so it got a head job. Needless to say I have WAY too much in it than I had planned on. And with 200k on your truck I would rebuild it if you want to keep the 305. Cam, intake, maybe a set of 305 HO heads and it would be a peppy 305. gears, stall ... its never ending.

 

I won't be rebuilding (if I go that route) or puting a crate motor in for at least a couple years. What I'm trying to do is check out as many options as I can. I've talked to quite a few people over the past couple of years, read a wealth of information, and used forums to find more info and the overwhelming conclusion ( which is one that I came to a long time ago) is that it's just flat out easier and cheaper to get a 350. The only reason, as I've stated before, that I would rebuild the 305, would be if I were rebuilding the truck to like-new-condition.

Thanks for your input.