Is It A Thrifty Path To Horsepower?

When you think of horsepower from a small-block Chevy, engines like the 327, 350, or 400 likely come to mind. But what if I told you that the much despised 305 cubic-inch small-block could be built to produce a shocking 486 horsepower? That’s exactly what the team at Power Nation achieved with their 305 stroker, showcasing that with the right combination of modern parts and tuning, even the least liked engine of Chevy’s small-block family can pack a punch.

The Build

The Power Nation 305 didn’t start life as a performance engine. Initially, it was equipped with mild street-oriented parts and made 219 horsepower on the dyno. But the team saw potential in the little engine and decided to transform it into a powerhouse. A stroker kit was used, bumping the engine’s displacement from 305 cubic inches to a nice round 340 cubic inches, and setting the stage for a host of high-performance upgrades.

Dyno Dominance

The results on the dyno were unexpected, with the little 305-turned-340 belting out 486 horsepower and 444 lb-ft of torque. Rounding to a nice 1.43 horsepower-per-cubic-inch is something that deserves some acknowledgement. To put that in perspective, those are numbers you’d typically expect from a modified 350 cubic-inch engine, not a tiny 305.

A Thrifty Path to Power

While making these numbers from a small-block 305 is pretty impressive, it’s important to remember that all of the parts used to get to the 486 horsepower number, could be used and more beneficial on the 4-inch bore 327 or 350 block. A small-block 400 can also be used, but the block is a bit more expensive than the others, so it’s not as budget friendly.

So what does this mean for the thrifty enthusiast? It’s a reminder that displacement isn’t necessarily the only limiting factor in an engine’s performance potential. With the right combination of parts and old-school tuning, even the smallest of Chevy’s small-block engines can deliver power. And given the lower cost of a 305 block compared to a 350, this could be an appealing path for those seeking the best bang for their buck.

Again, the Power Nation engine was heavily modified with high-performance internals and bolt-ons that would result in a higher output on any of the other small-block lineup. But the video serves as a potent demonstration of the potential lurking within these…