Sounds like an awesome father/son project y'all got goin. if you want to go the new engine/trans route a brand new GMPP (GM Performance Parts) 350 will run you about 1500-2000 and you can use the intake, acc brackets, crank pulley, exhaust, etc. off your 305. Summit says they make 260 hp with 4 bbl carb and headers. As much as building your own motor costs these days you're better off just buying a new one. You could also look around on craigslist and your local trader papers and find cheap used 350s all day but you gotta be real careful doin that. Look at the oil, hear it run if you can. Make sure there's no smoke or rattles or bangs. You can find a "new" tranny for about 700 bucks and about 100 for a torque converter. It's a 350 turbo and they advertise it can handle up to 400 hp, they're rebuilt but most car parts are. I wish you guys luck, post us some pics!

 

Could be wrong here, but I believe the TH350 doesn't have overdrive. I'm not sure what tranny is in it originally, but I would definitely look into something with OD.

 

Welcome to the forum, sound like a good project you have there,



83 i think it would have been the th350c if not was likely the th200 both 3spd,
don't belive they started putting the overdrive trans till 85(th200-4r)

 

Thanks for the continued input guys. Son pumped the tires(which made it come alive)but my part has still been slow in helping him get it out of the garage, take pictures to show here and get moving on it.