I owned an '84 camaro with 305/5-speed. Let me tell you there IS a point to build up a 305, especially in the states you have no excuse with so many parts so cheap, I am in australia and it still was worth the money even when I had to pay the postage on them from the states.

Ok as the story goes the three biggies when doing an engine are: intake, exhaust, cam. I highly recommend the edelbrock performer rpm air-gap manifold is awesome, still has good bottom end but with a top end like a high rise niiiiice.

Exhaust may be a prob in the volvo engine bay, some of the block huggers available may fit but it may take a bit of trial and error.

I have built several V8's, including the 350 in my current '70 vette and the biggest bang for my buck has ALWAYS been intake, exhaust, cam, without fail you will be amazed at the difference if you do these three sensibly. As already mentioned there is absolutely no point doing the cam without the intake/exhaust.

(Funnily enough I have never put a V8 in a brick yet though)

Cheers,

Daz