I am lookin' for a 80-82 C3 to tinker with and drive pretty much daily.Noticed 1980LG4 had miniscule 305ci engine. only ten hp less than 350ci base.I have seen a coulple of them for very reasonable price. Any experiance with this model. Engine upgrades etc. Was california model only that year. Thanks Dave.

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The 305 is basically the same as the 350, same stroke (3.48"), but with a smaller bore (3.74 versus 4.00"). Most of the other important pieces (carbs, motor mounts, distributor, etc.) will fit just fine between the two, with the obvious exception of heads. Thicker cylinder walls are a good thing, I've seen a ton of them used in boats, trucks, and other "high stress" uses. The only bad thing with the 305 was that GM used some crappy OEM heads for it. Not sure if you could find anything with decent flow...

bill.

 

The 305 was used in those years because the 350 couldn't meet California emissions. If you want to keep the 305 you can bolt on high performance goodies from any of the speed shop suppliers. If your not concerned about keeping it stock, I would drop in a crate motor, any motor based on the Chevy small block will bolt right up.

 

You can go for a big block, but let me prepare ya. It will bolt right up, but you'll have some small issues with waterpump, crank pulley, and oil pan. I'm in the last stages of a 454 transplant in my '80, but hey, it's all good. I can't wait for the first fire up.

 

Mornin' Dave, you still workin' on the crank pulley issue?, ya' got everything else ready to rock-n-roll?

 

Go to my post and I'll update ya.

 

Thanks for all the info! Lt4 is up and runnin like a scared jack rabbit. I am in california. Do any of you guys know if there are problems with smog requirments for 1980-1982 models? I am assuming that all stock models can pass smog in CA. Thanks Dave

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Not sure but thought I saw where after a certain age, a car is exempt in CA. Might just be wishful thinking tho.

 

All vehicles 1975 or older are exempt in CA. In 1980 only the LG4 was legal in CA. There was an L82 model at 230hp and They were not legal here that year. I'm curious If that L82 model is legal now. I see them for sale on ebay. Some in CA. Anyone know for sure? Dave

 

Yes, that LG4 was the forerunner of the '81 350, the "closed loop" system w/ the CCM. It may burn cleaner, but the freakin' gas mileage is hurtin', especially for the amount of HP it puts out. I've had afew 305s, not in 'Vettes, and I'd keep on lookin' unless you get it cheep enough where you can put a good engine in it and not have over spent way up past what the car is really worth. I have to say that the 305 isn't a 'Vette worthy engine. Only my opinion. I'm one who was "really sick" when the polution pumps came out in '72 and all thesmall block chevys lost 75 or 100 HP.