89 rs camaro engine

[MrTopher]

I have a 89 camro rs and I was wondering if there was a way to determine what engine is in it. According to the VIN its a 305 TBI. But after doing much research I see it is not uncommon for people to swap out the 305's with 350's. I bought the car last year from a small used car dealership and the guy who sold it to me said it was a 350. After owning the car for a year, it seems to have a lot more power than a 170 hp 305. Is there anyway for me to be sure about what engine I have?

[mike123]

im pretty sure the RS's just came with the 305's TBI

[89IROC&RS]

well, the only way that i can tell you to be sure, is to actually pull off the head, and measure the bore. the 89 RS did only come with the TBI 305 from the factory, but your right, the vin wouldnt change if someone put a 350 in its place VIN E is the TBI 305, VIN F is the TPI 305, and VIN 8 is the TPI 350. what probly happend is the guy who sold it to you, didnt know alot about camaros, saw it was a V8, and assumed it was a 350, not knowing that 305's even exist. but things are always possible. but yeah, cant say as i know any other way to be sure, other than pulling off the head, and putting a dial indicator in the bore, and seeing if its 3.736in or 4in. other than that, the two engines are identical.

[DaMoNe6969]

Im not sure, but is it possible to tell from the engine casting number, that should at least tell you if its the original motor, The number should be right under the right cylinder head to the rear of the timing cover

[MrTopher]

Well if I do in fact have a 305, what could I do to get more power? This is my first car and I want to get into rebuilding cars. Is there anything I can do to make it run like a 350 or would it be easier to find a 350 and put it in? And if I did get a 350 would it still work with my 700r4 tranny? Any advice would be great. Thanks

[DaMoNe6969]

Yeah a 350 will bolt up yo your tranny, It's actually a fairly simple swap, however It doesnt take much to get that 305 pushin better than the 350 tpi's..

Word around the forumns is that 1992RS is the guy you wanna talk to about that, hed know more about modifyin' your 305 then I would

[89IROC&RS]

yeah, bar none, 92RS is the guy to talk to for hoppin up the 305TBI. but then again, my personal view, is that for the money invested, just swap in a 350 shortblock. the 305 is a boat ancher for serious performance (oh man im gonna get 92RS started with that one)

[DaMoNe6969]

I got your back

*anchors away*

[MrTopher]

"Talk to me about the 305 TBI, I'm a self proclaimed master..and a few others on here will agree. I can keep you around 300hp for a few hundred bucks or 450hp for less than 3grand."

hmmm........I see what you mean about this 92rs guy. I think I should talk to him.

[4onFloor]

do a rear end gear swap. i've done it myself and it only takes a few hours and a little patience. that's gonna get ya the most bang for ur buck. seeing as how ur's probly has 2:73's, and it's a lot easier than changing the engine.

[MrTopher]

I've been asking around and it seems like the cheapest and easiest way to get more hp is to throw in a 350. So I think thats what I'm gonna do. I want quite a bit of hp but I don't want to spend too much. What kind of engine would you guys recommend and where would you suggest I get it from? I finished putting in my 700r4 today and am ready for the next step.

[1992RS]

And to think, I had been passing this one up for a while. I see how it is, boat anchor huh??? I'll put my "boat anchor" up against anything you guys have. I'll even wait at the finish line for you so you don't feel left out.

[89IROC&RS]

really now. you wanna throw your truck engine/boat anchor against my custom built superram induction, vortec headed one of a kind 302 when i get it built, backed by my 8 speed auto and torsen rear with 3.23 gears???? ill be more than happy to show you what the ass end of your car looks like

[Genopsyde]

I'll race you on foot mother-f***er!!!

[1992RS]

Well I must say, I'm shocked. But that's ok. Iroc I will eat that little 302 for lunch. Remember when I told you that my 335 broke and I was planning on making it a super beast? Well I'm pretty close to being there. I have a 383 forged crank, forged H beam rods, forged KB 8.4:1 pistons, sealed power rings,clevite bearings, well you know..all the best go fast goodies for the bottom end. I now have mechanical roller lifters to work with my mechanical roller cam that was custom cut for me to work with the BDS supercharger that I'm saving up for. 671 BDS supercharger w/ BDS EFI system...wow. The cam is tight, 255/260 at .050 526/534 with 1.5's at 112 duration. Just large enough to keep me from having clearance problems. And to top it off I'm throwing a NOS Blower nitrous kit on it as well. Now do you want to race?? So essentialy I have a 356ci motor with a bad ass set up on it and I'm guessing around..I don't know..700hp