• In 1997, Chevy was the only manufacturer producing a 305 V-8 engine, which was limited to its large trucks. There are several models of trucks that have this engine; they are: the C1500/2500 Silverado, K1500/2500 Silverado, C1500/2500 Cheyenne and the K1500/2500 Cheyenne. Chevy's 305 is in direct competition with the Ford 4.6 liter equipped in the F-150 and F-250, as well as the Dodge 5.2 liter equipped in the Ram 1500.
  
  

Horsepower

• When first looking at a truck, people have a habit of going straight to the horsepower rating. This rating is the engine's overall ability to perform work (moving a specified weight a specified distance). The 1997 Chevy 305 produces 230 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. This rating sits atop the class as the Ford 4.6 produces only 220 horsepower at 4,500 RPM while the Dodge 5.2 produces the same horsepower at 4,400 RPM.
  
  

Torque

• Horsepower can a wonderful thing as it leaves your competition in your rear view mirror, but torque is an important rating as well. Torque is the maximum twisting power of the engine, which directly affects the initial launching power of the vehicle and towing capacity. The 1997 Chevy 305 produces 285 foot-pounds at 2,800 RPM. This rating is below all three competitors as the 4.6-liter Ford produces 290 foot-pounds at 3,250 RPM, and the Dodge 5.2 liter leads them all at 300 foot-pounds at 3,200 RPM.
  
  

Economy

• Fuel economy is usually not the focal point of a manufacturer when producing a powerful V-8 engine, but it is a concern on the consumer's end. The 1997 305 performs well in this area, getting 14 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway. The Dodge 5.2 is dead last at 12 MPG in the city and 17 MPG on the highway. The Ford 4.6 liter varies; depending on the model, it gets 12 to 14 MPG in the city and 17 to 20 MPG on the highway.
  
  

Internals

• The internal numbers are where all of the torque and horsepower figures derive from. The main ratings are bore (cylinder size), stroke (distance the piston moves) and compression (air pressure created by piston movement). The 1997 305 has a bore size of 3.74 inches, a 3.48-inch stroke and a compression ratio of 9.4:1. The Ford 4.6 liter has a 3.55-inch bore, 3.54-inch stroke and a 9.4:1 compression. Lastly, the Dodge 5.2 liter has a 3.91-inch bore, 3.31-inch stroke and a 9.2:1 compression.