Mods for an '86 305

Hey, if you've been following any of my posts (and who has?) then you'll know I just picked up an '86 Firebird.

I don't really know much about it - I know it has crappy seats that are all ripped up...clearcoat that's coming off all over the car, and that's about it. I think it has the original 305, but I'm not sure. The OD reads 180K, so I'm assuming there's been an engine overhaul in there somewhere. It has an accel distributor, but that's about it for mods.

I had the carb rebuilt but that's it. I'm wondering how to start modding the thing. I don't want to get too crazy and spend thousands of dollars on the thing, because I still have my moneypit Neon project, but I'd like to do a few things to it so I can get a little better than stock HP out of it.

I was thinking of the mods that apply to 4cyl, but I know absolutely nothing about 8cyl or carbed vehicles. Keep in mind that I just moved to Idaho from MI, and have very limited tools and will be working on the car in my girlfriend's parents' driveway.

Here's what I was thinking of doing, for a maximum HP/Cost ratio...

Cold Air Intake - Cone K&N filter run from a 90 degree bend intake tube
Flowmaster 40 Series
Exchange Catalayic Converter with 1ft exhaust pipe
Possibly buying a new intake manifold

Anything else you guys can think of for cheap? Know any good places to buy used performance bolt ons?

put a blower on it.

wasn't the 305 in 1986 TBI or TPI not carbed right?

This may have had a swap, maybe it got a 350! (hopes and hopes)

But I know it DEFINATELY has a carb.

The TBI system looks like its a CARB but it you take off the air filter cover you will see it has TPI sensor by the butterfly.

most likely if you look back to the drivers side of the block,between the left head and firewall is a#, if it ends 0110 its a 350, there are other numbers , that are a 350, post them , n theyll reply ,its behind the left head,to the left of the oil pressure, on the back of the block above the toqure converter/flywheel, other little things that hint, mostly older 350s, dipstick on passenger side , i think, most 305 exhaust wont fit a 350, cause the drivers side end up in the way of the dipstick which is as i say on a 305 usally on the drivers side, and on the passenger side the 305 ex mans have the bolt holes are farther apart ,back passengerexhaust port as i discovered with my 82

to mod it, do these ,intake, carb, cam around 282,
headers,(that cam for 350, as the 305 i not sure what cam would be best). If it is a 350 all the above & a set of 305 heads & flat tops, unless your heads arent better, would probably do you nice, but thats the po boy way

If I remember right, my dipstick is on the passenger side. I'm not sure though.

I'm going out to work on the car tomarrow, I'll take a look at the codes on the block and post them. Thanks for your help so far guys, it's greatly appreicated.

Oh, and I took the carb to a shop to have it rebuilt...if it turns out it's TPI, I'm going to be pissed that someone took me for a ride. I'm pretty sure carbed though, as the car won't start unless you pump the gas a couple times before you turn the key.

TPI doesn't look like a carb, TBI(throttlebody injection) does,,

Sorry, mistyped. Would TBI cause a need for choking the car to start it though?

rather have tpi than carb

mine doesn't

I'll take some pictures tomarrow, as well as checking out the casting numbers and post what I find out for you guys.

most TBI system's have a electronic cold start valve which is also referred to as a choke cause its basically the same thing

i just like a carb, cause it is simplified, less sensors less junk, easier to maintain, less clutter

bye the way Darien99 , is this your first car?, be sure not to let people jack you into spending a lot of extra cash

Not my first car, no. I've had:

'88 Chevy Celebrity
'91 Olds Cutlass Calais
'89 Cavalier Z24
'95 Dodge Neon
'96 Dodge Neon

and now the '86 Firebird.

So this is my first V8, and my first carbed (or TBI) car. I've got the pictures, by the way. They're in my next post.

Here they are.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/248042IM001029.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/248042IM001029a-med.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/248042IM001031-med.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/248042IM001030a-med.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/248042IM001030-med.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/248042IM001032-med.JPG

looks like a carb to me.

clean that thing up man, for gods sake! that is the dirtiest engine bay i have seen in a long time.

as for the car, i never did like the Firebird front end with those black bumper pad things. none the less, have fun, and drop in a 350!!!!

So this is carbed, not TBI?

Yes, its definately a carb. You could put on some underdrive pulleys. That should be good for at least 15whp. I would also advance the timming a few degrees. After that, let the engine breath a little better with an exhaust and a better breather.

An 86' with a 305 carb. stock should have around 165hp@4400/250tq@2000.

ITS A QUADRA-JET, deep six that dinosaur carb. 86 woulda been TPI on the 5.7l but the 85 had TBI an 84 HO 305 was the last year I recall a carb being used. Carbs are the bomb, but the quadra-jets are nightmares to fine tune. and all that pollution equipment is deadly for HP, underdrive pulley's wont do all they could with that pollution control on the motor. Is any of it still operating. This is a daily driver for you?
Does the A/C still work, R12 great system try not to convert it over if you can avoid it.

Thanks for all the info guys.

Any suggestions on a cheap, decent carb replacement?

I'll look for some UDP too.

No, this isn't my daily driver, I use my '96 Neon for that. The AC needs to be recharged, I think. It blows hard, but not cold.