Vortec 350 and tbi 350

[redrussell]

Need someone with some more knowledge than me on this. I have a buddy who has a 98 1500 suburban with the 5.7 vortec in it. He spun a bearing in the lower end. I have a tbi 350 long block sitting in the shop, if we swap all of his upper end over(I know the vortec heads, intake etc are all different than standard) will it work? I looked up the cam in the different years and they are a different part number but I still haven't found the specs on each cam to see how different they are. Short block is out of a 92 1500 Silverado.

 

[TurboMinivan]

One key difference in these two shortblocks: the Vortec is a roller cam setup, while the TBI engine uses a flat tappet cam.

The Vortec heads are in demand because they can be bolted onto virtually any older SBC. Based on that fact, I'd say you could certainly bolt them (and the matching intake) onto your TBI block. As for the cam, that may be another story (I have never upgraded a flat tappet engine to a roller setup, though I know it can sometimes be done).

Be advised: the stock Vortec heads can only handle ~ .450" valve lift maximum unless they are machined to accommodate it. If your TBI engine has a high lift cam, you'll need to perform additional work to make it all function correctly.

 

[TurboMinivan]

By the way: how bad is the carnage on his bottom end? If he's going to toss it, I'd be very happy to carry it to the dumpster for you. I wouldn't be interested in the heads, intake or exhaust manifolds; just the Vortec shortblock.

 

[redrussell]

Ah yes I forgot the roller vs non-roller cams. I'm trying to get the specs on them to see if they are pretty close to each other or not. I didn't even think about the roller or not issue issue though. As for how bad it is, idk yet. It is sitting at his house and he will be rolling it on my trailer next week and bringing it to my place(Borrowing my burb too).

 

[Bart]

Following this closely. I've been told the Vortec heads will bolt right on for an upgrade. I was going to do this with to the tbi in my Heep.

 

[redrussell]

Vortec heads do bolt straight on, I have done it on 2 other vehicles and it was a nice cheap little upgrade but they were carbed vehicles so worrying about the computer and injection components wasn't a big deal.