Since I wanted to upgrade to fuel-injection, my friends said I should try to find a complete setup and work from there. Reading through the local Want Ad Press turned up a complete roller-cammed 305 out of a wrecked '87 IROC Camaro. The deal included the TPI intake, wiring harness, ECM, sensors, smog equipment, and electric fans. Score!
I had the block hot-tanked and we installed new rod, main, and cam bearings. The bottom end is stock, since the cylinder bores were straight and the rods and pistons were fine. We slid in a Crane 2031 Compucam with a Cloyes double roller timing chain and bolted on a pair of World Products S/R Torquer heads (58 cc chambers, 1.94/1.50 valves) and 1.5 aluminum roller rocker arms. Topping it off is a siamesed upper plenum and SLP runners. It's all fed by 8 SVO 19 lb/hr. injectors. The entire TPI intake, valve covers, and Edelbrock headers were coated in a Bright Aluminum finish by AirBorn Coatings in CT. They do excellent work at a very fair price!
Here's a closeup picture inside the upper plenum. Notice the dividing walls between the round ports have been removed. Hopefully the motor will pick up some upper RPM power with this mod.
Here's a side shot showing the SLP runners.
Here's the completed motor waiting on the stand. Notice the F-body serpentine belt setup.
The stock SS high-pressure steering line fit the '88 Camaro pump with no problems.
So, how do we install this motor? Normally, the first step would be to rip the old stuff out. Since I bought this car as a rolling chassis, the previous owner already took care of that. :)
Removing the fenderwells made things much easier. It also gave me the chance to finish cleaning and painting the frame, firewall, and inner fenders.
I also needed to enlarge the opening in the firewall for the computer harness. A few quick cuts with the Dremel cutoff wheel and some seamsealer solved that problem.
Click here to see the motor dropped in!