305 V8 Motor (5.0) Mods? -- Emissions Legal!

[cknight725]

Okay, so 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 ...

[0utlaw]

Hi,
We had an '84 305 4 bbl. El Camino with the quadrajet and how do you describe- it was a slug! You need cubic inches and torque to move a heavy car with highway gears.
It's really too bad that you are hung up on the 305; If possible, a bone stock 350 with TPI, computer, plumbing etc from a newer car transplanted into your car would still meet emissions, while adding more horses than you could get out of a 305 COST wise.. and better mileage too.
Check emission rules in your area first. It would seem logical that a newer car's running gear would help clean up the air.
Buy an unwanted, accident victum or rusted out, but good running donor car for peanuts at a private sale. Take 2 weeks or so and make the swap. Later, if you wished, you could modify the 350 in small steps.
I did that with my 1940 truck and eventually got it to run 13's. I purchased an early Malibu 350 for $125. Also bought a 75 Dodge truck for $75 so I could pull the Dana 3:55. My truck did not have to meet emissions, though. I sold the hulks so my engine ended up free!