305 Motor (5.0) -- Best Mods (emission legal!)

[cknight725]

This admittedly isn't so much a Camaro thread, but really for anyone with a 80's car with a 305 V8 (more or less). If I've learned anything from reading other websites its that the 305 and 350 respond very differently to generic "Small Block" aftermarket parts...

THE PLAN:
Anyway --- I've got an 84 El Camino with a bone stock 305 V8 -- I've got a budget for some mods like cam, intake, headers, exhaust etc, but I have to still pass emissions. The PO already installed a Jacobs' Multi-Spark ignition system with the HEI dizzy. So the question becomes, which mods -SPECIFICALLY - are going to yield the best bang for the buck? I'm figuring on swapping the stock 84 Quadrajet for a Holley Stret Avenger 600cfm, maybe either a Performer or a Torquer II Manifold (street cars like torque more than HP), a set of Edelbrock EGR Headers ($350!!) then a 2.5 inch dual high-flow cat, dual exit exhaust running through a set of Flowmasters.

CONCERNS:
All in all not radical, but will it be worthwhile? Has anyone used Edelbrock's emissions legal camshafts? Did it really improve anything with the stock heads on a 305? How about the stock intake manifold -- would it be worthwhile to use it with the Holley Carb, or is the intake the restrictor? I'm pretty confident that the exhaust / header swap is a good investment, but has anyone had their own experiences with high-flow cat's?

Basically this is my first V8 project, I've got access to other muscle carsin the family that have been tuned, but none of those have 305's that have to pass emissions, my Hi-Po Aircooled VW experience doesn't help much either ...

[Blackbird01]

The 305 engine itself isn't the greatest engine to modify.
I know somebody that had one, and performance wise, it was a dog.
I'd say the Edelbrock Carb/Manifold/Cam and Heads would work well.
Also a set of headers to let air out faster.

I believe somebody, makes a S/C for the TBI 305. You may want to look into that as well.