Paging Travis King Of Spun Bearings (G-body RFE Repair and 305 Bolt-ons)

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
11/06/2014 at 15:57 • Filed to: Oldsmoboat Gutbus Extreme

So after a thorough look around-and-under the Oldsmoboat Gutbus Extreme, I find that it needs two things: A new Left Rear Frame Rail Extension, and MOAR POWER. I have no idea what to do about the former scenario, but I have a slight idea about the latter. For more power, I'm gonna buy a true-dual exhaust system, Flowtech headers, cheapo cats, Summit Turbo Mufflers, a Summit Dual-plane intake manifold, and a Lunati cam (256/262 duration). Any ideas and/or help?

DISCUSSION (18)

crowmolly > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/06/2014 at 16:00

Pics of the frame rail damage will help. If it's a curvy section it will be more tricky but still very doable.

As for power, it's always the same basic formula:

1.) Exhaust system (I'd go for the Summit fully weldeds, personally).

2.) Intake and carb (you are carbed IIRC) and re curve your distributor.

3.) Camshaft. Post your grind number and your stock compression ratio. Gonna need valve springs and replace the timing chain while you are in there.

Sweet Trav > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/06/2014 at 16:01

Do you live in California? if not. Ditch the 305. Not because its impossible to make power out of them but because it's so much easier with a 350. or better yet, a carbed LS motor.

as for the frame rail, is it rotted, bent damaged?

itschrome > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/06/2014 at 16:03

http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/cr…

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... DOOOOOO IT!

Sweet Trav > itschrome
11/06/2014 at 16:05

That's a bad idea. The 200-4R is going to clap out after one pass.

Sweet Trav > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/06/2014 at 16:06

Also if you want, email me

thespunbearing@outlook.com

itschrome > Sweet Trav
11/06/2014 at 16:06

fiiiiiine....

http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/cr…

reduce weight increase power?

Sweet Trav > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/06/2014 at 16:10

here are a few 305 builds

http://www.hioutput.com/tech/290hp/290…

http://www.hioutput.com/tech/400hp/400…

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Sweet Trav
11/06/2014 at 16:15

I kinda wanna keep a lot of the originality of the car. I'm the third owner, and it has only covered just under 160,000 miles.

The frame rail is rotted through in some parts. Weirdly, only the left one.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > itschrome
11/06/2014 at 16:16

i don't have that much money!

itschrome > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/06/2014 at 16:18

well...

http://www.thehorse.com/free-horse-ado…

a few of these might help!

Sweet Trav > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/06/2014 at 16:21

for the frame rail, your best bet is find a decent donor car, cut and weld.

The problem with making power out of the 305 is that it has a very small bore only, 3.736 inches it does not fill well, it does not like high RPM, and all the work you'd do to a 305 would produce 25%-30% more power out of a 350 with roughly the same economy.

for instance, your LG4 305 makes 170hp. for almost what you have in parts listed, you could yank the 305 out and replace with a goodwrench 350 that makes 260. you're not going to get 90 hp with a cam, exhaust and intake on a 305.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Sweet Trav
11/06/2014 at 16:24

Okay, thanks. I'll be on the lookout for a 4-bolt-main 350.

Sweet Trav > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/06/2014 at 16:28

meh 2-bolt/4-bolt, i wouldn't make a big stink about it, it's not like you're going to be pulling 7000 rpm all day.

I would see if i could find a 97-01 350 from a chevy truck, the vortec heads can make decent power but require a goofy intake and some valve spring work to allow for more than a .475in lift cam.

I'm assuming you have a E4mE electronic controlled carb?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Sweet Trav
11/06/2014 at 16:29

Nope, just a Rochester 4-bbl

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Sweet Trav
11/06/2014 at 16:34

Just a rochester 4-bbl

Sweet Trav > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/07/2014 at 07:50

Thats good, the "quadra-junks" as old timers tend to call these are actually pretty damned good carburetors, most have a 780 CFM base but are metered down for the 305. If you can find a good carb re-builder, it could work out nicely for you.

Like i said, i would look for a vortec 350, code L31 From wikipedia below:

L31

The Vortec 5700 L31 (Vin code 8th digit "R") is a V8 truck engine. Displacement is 5.7 L. It is the last production Generation I small-block from Chevrolet . The cylinder heads feature combustion chambers and intake ports very similar to those of the LT1 V8, but without the reverse-flow cooling. As such, the L31 head is compatible with all older small-blocks, and is a very popular upgrade. It offers the performance of more expensive heads, at a much lower cost. It does, however, require a specific intake manifold (A 5.7L, 350 CI L31, Vortec engine has eight bolts attaching the intake manifold or four per head, as opposed to the traditional six bolts per head twelve in total found on older Chevrolet small blocks). The L31 was replaced by the 5.3 L 5300 LM7 . The 2002 model year was the final year for the L31 5.7 L small block V-8 whose origins date back to 1955. The Vortec 5700 produces 255 hp (190 kW) to 350 hp (261 kW) at 4600 rpm and 330 lbft (447 Nm) to 350 lbft (475 Nm) of torque at 2800 rpm. It is currently being produced as a crate engine for marine applications and automotive hobbyists as the 'RamJet 350' with minor modifications. Known as the GEN 1+, this was the final incarnation of the 1955-vintage small block, ending production in 2005 with the last vehicle being a Kodiak/Topkick HD truck. Volvo Penta and Mercury Marine still produces the L31. The "MARINE" intake is a potential upgrade for L31 trucks. Using this "MARINE" intake will allow the use of common types of injectors with various flow rates while still maintaining emission compliance.

L31 applications:

1996–2002 Chevrolet Express / GMC Savana full-size vans

1996–1999 Chevrolet/GMC C/K full-size trucks

1996–1999 Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Suburban full-size long-wheelbase SUVs

1996–1999 Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon (and 2000 Tahoe Limited and 2000 Tahoe Z71 models) full-size short-wheelbase SUVs

1999–2000 Cadillac Escalade

TBI L31 applications

1996 G-Series vans over 8,500 lb (3,856 kg) GVW w/ 4L80E transmission

crowmolly > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
11/10/2014 at 10:41

One other thing to note. I replied to you so you'd see it, but this adds on to what Travis said below.

A late model L31 will have a stock roller cam.

So if you change it you don't have to worry about any break-in. Even the best engine builders sometimes have flat tappet cams go bad during break-in for little reason.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > crowmolly
11/10/2014 at 11:13

Alright, thanks!