Making a 305 more DD friendly...

[4x4K5]

Ok guys, heres the deal, I got a k5 with a 305 in it, and I just feel like it needs more get-up-and-go to be my DD. It has 4 inches of lift and 33x13.5x15 TSLs. It has been bored a lot, I think the guy said like.050 over. It has a Holley 660cfm, that needs a good tune. Other than that it is mostly stock. 160,xxx miles. My truck has the 4 speed, and I feel like the gears are weird ratios. Here is what I want to do to it, I am looking for some feedback on what would be better for more all around power..
-vortech heads- I will port them, and get them milled.
-Comp cams thumpr hydraulic flat tappet. .489 lift 287/305 duration
-High rise intake with 2 inch polypropelene spacer
1 7/8 headers with true duals and flowmasters..


What do yall think about this going on a DD that sees weekend trail use, and some during the week

 

[GCncsuHD]

Be careful on the heads you use, remember that the 305 has a much smaller bore (3.74"), and the valves from a set of heads meant for a 350 (4" bore) will contact the bore so make sure they were intended for a 305.


Honestly, you will probably come out cheaper, and with better power by finding a good condition 350 long block and swapping that in instead.

And yea, the sm465 is not the best for DD duty, no overdrive, only 3 normally usable speeds, etc, if you are really looking for best DD performance and fuel mileage your best bet is to go with the 700r4 and some 4.10s.

 

[89wrangler]

I would verify what gears it has and start there first.

 

[4x4K5]

It has stock gears for now. I used to have a chevy with 4.10s and 44 inch tires, and it had no problems hauling ass when it needed to, but it had a th350 and a pretty stout motor. I have looked the truck over, and I am pretty sure my problem is in the motor. The th350 and sm465 have very similar trans ratios
sm465 ratios:
g-6.55
1st-3.58
2nd-1.57
3rd-1.00
th350 ratios:
1st-2.52
2nd-1.52
3rd-1.00

So the 2nd and 3rd are similar and thats all that I really need to worry about. But I usually have to drop a gear to hit a mild hill in the k5 and in my chevy it never dropped a gear for DD unless I let pedal meet metal. I dont think this k5 could run under 20s if its life depended on it, but I could get my k30 to run 15.5s


So I guess the better question would be-What kind of gains would I see off that setup?
and is it true that 5.7l vortech heads wont fit on a 305? I have heard lots of different answers on this.