Choices, choices, choices……..
Please pardon the length, I’m trying to get published………

OK, this all started because my suburbans motor is getting tired and burning/leaking oil a lot. The wife and I finally decided to cough up the $ and rebuild the engine.

The TBI-
A few months ago, a friend of mine gave me a TBI setup from a 350 that he had sitting around in his shed. Shortly after that I picked up a set of FI (Late model) heads and put them on the shelf with the rest of the TBI stuff. I had planned on using the TBI for my 76 (soon to be) Trail Rig. My suburban has a Qjet replacement (1904 I think) Edelbrock carb on it now.

The Pro-jection-
I’ve been eyeing Pro-jection setup’s since they first came out. Well this week a guy posted a 900cfm setup in the For Sale section for $150.00, It took me 6 minutes to be all over that.

Dilemma #1-
This changed my plan radically. I figured I could use the Pro-jection on the ’76 and put the GM TBI on the ‘burb. Now this radically changed the engine scenario, because I could no longer use the Xtreme Energy 250 cam I was so hoping for (can you say GOBS of torque!). I also figured that the FI heads might have a smaller combustion chamber so I ran the numbers by Mortec.com. Surprise, they are 305 heads with 58cc chambers and 1.84 intake valves. Now this changes everything. I obviously would need VERY different pistons (More $) and didn’t really like the idea of using 305 heads.

Running the new cam and head parameters through Desktop Dyno showed a huge drop n torque due to the cam change, and none of the “computer friendly” cams seem to help. Damn.

So today I decide come hell or high water, I’m getting the block to the machine shop to see if we can keep the bore to .040 over. (Did I mention this block has 2 cyl that are .030 and 6 cyl that are std.?) :shaking: While I’m there we start talking and he asks me how much I am looking on spending here, and I tell him I’m trying to stay around $1k (not too hard if I use the 305 heads).

Dilemma #2-
He informs me that he got a great deal on a couple of GM crate motors and has a NEW GM vortec 350 he will let me have for $1250.00 with a 1 year warranty. I think it is part # 12530282. I will also need a vortec intake ($150ish). Um, that’s a great price, but the vortec heads won’t let me run the GM TBI setup without an adapter and a 4 bbl intake, and even then I’m not too sure about how it will run, so that means using the Pro-jection on the burb and putting the Stock TBI on the 76.

Now since I’m not looking at running the stock TBI on the burb anymore, that means I can use the original cam I was planning, and probably make as much or more power than the stock vortec for about the same amount of $.

So now I don’t know what the hell to do. Any suggestions? I want to make my choice by Monday so I can tell him what I want to do. I’m leaning toward the vortec, ‘cuz it’s cool to have vortec heads and a roller cam, but I just want something that won’t burn 2qts of oil per week.

Hmmm, sounds like a good deal on the Vortec. If it's real, that would be sweet. Seems like I saw that GM (or Edel?) is now making a TBI intake for Vortec heads for around $150 or so. Might be worth sniffing around.

Also, I would want the closed loop in my daily if possible. Much nicer in many ways. However, that torque would be nice too, I just don’t like the Holley PJs. And closed loop would be nice on the rig at higher altitude and such. I'm a fan of the factory GM closed loop in general, but, then again, I'm not all that fixated on adding more power to my trail rig. I *do* want more in the tow rig, but that will likely be coming in the form of a Cummins. :D

For the burb.....throw out everything you have and buy a RAMjet502, they only run about $7900. turn key:D :D

Rich

Originally posted by Big Rich
For the burb.....throw out everything you have and buy a RAMjet502, they only run about $7900. turn key:D :D

Rich

Great Idea, but the fear of castration via "The Wife" will probably keep me from going that route.

Oh, yeah, there is a another option. Build a 383 for about $300.00-$400.00 more than the DIY 350

:rasta:

Originally posted by erich_in_AZ
Build a 383 for about $300.00-$400.00 more than the DIY 350

:rasta:

that gets my vote, WAY WAY WAY more torque, hp, and coolness.

ive always been a big fan of the 383s myself.

Here is something I just came across. I don't see anywhere for an EGR provision when using the Vortec heads. My local Emissions Nazi's require that I keep the Air pump and EGR to be legal. Anyone know how the EGR system works on the vortecs?

Originally posted by erich_in_AZ
Here is something I just came across. I don't see anywhere for an EGR provision when using the Vortec heads. My local Emissions Nazi's require that I keep the Air pump and EGR to be legal. Anyone know how the EGR system works on the vortecs?
The vortec heads don't have the crossover through the intake. They have a pipe into the exhaust manifold The Vortec intake sohuld have the rest of the EGR equasion. So into you money figures your going to need to include a set of headers or manifolds.

OK, it looks like I'm going to go with the vortec if for no other reason than not having to screw around with things too much, and having a waranty. I am considering a cam swap, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. I've never driven a 5.7L vortec, so I don;t really know if they have any balls. The ratings seem a bit conservative (255 HP and 330 ft. lbs. of torque @ 2800 rpm). That seems pretty weak to me. Do you guys with vortec motors in your trucks feel like thay are lacking, or do they have a good bit of umph? The HP and torque should go up a bit with a good intake and 1 5/8" headers, but I am still a little worried I will be disapointed.

The aftermarket is somewhat limited with the cam selections (that I can find) for the vortec motors with the roller cams. I don't know if I can swap a flat tappet in place of the roller or not, but it seems I could get a bunch more power out of it with an Xtreme Energy 262. That would be nice.