1997 Chevy 1500 4x4 Anyone have one?

[Pvt. Maggot]

Hey guys
Anyone have a 97 1500 4x4 with the 5.0 vortec? Just wondering how they run, ect. I found a guy who wants to trade my 89 with the 5.7 for a much cleaner shortbed, of course I still have to throw some cash if I want it, but i'm sure it would be worth it. Just wanted to hear from the brothers to see what they had to say.

Thanks guys!
Jack

heres the link to the truck.
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/car/536192659.html

 

[sweetk30]

i dont like 305 motors my self. plus i personly think the vortec motors were kind of crappy. thay eat intake gaskets / bad design cap&rotor / and just dont think thay had the feel of my older tbi motors.

if it was a 95 truck i would say yes. as you would still have tbi and be able to play with it easy. and first year for newer dash style.

thats me tho.

 

[Pvt. Maggot]

I herd alot of good things about the vortec 305, This truck will just be a daily driver, work truck, ect. might get a body lift, 33's, exhaust, some other little things, but nothing major, just looking for a dependable shortbed, or i'd just keep my long bed, but I hate how they look.

 

[Russell]

Looks identical to my daily driver, cept mine is a GMC lol

I like it, great little truck. Only complaint I've had is that it has a fair number of rattles I've had to hunt down and eliminate. Mine also has the 4.3L with a 5 speed, so that truck would probably drive fairly different. I've had TBI 305s in the past, and had no complaints.

 

[mud hungry]

I have the same truck only I have the 5.7l. I haven't had to do much in the way of actual repairs. Fortunately th PO replace the radiator, fuel pump, and rebuilt the tranny with a shift kit all with in 3 months before I bought it. I also plow with mine and I still haven't had to replace much on the truck.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Is your 89 a truck or blazer? If a blazer then you're going to be swapping a SFA vehicle for an IFS vehicle. If that's the case i would keep your rig. Lift kits for IFS trucks aren't cheap.

 

[nad]

I think he just got done explaining he's trading his 89 long bed with the 5.7 in it for the 97 short bed. If I read all of that right...

 

[4X4HIGH]

I've read is post several times and am still confused. There is nothing in his post that says he has a longbed only that someone wants to trade him a cleaner shortbed. If there had been it would be obvious that he has a truck and not a blazer. Now cleaner shortbed could be led to believe that he has a longbed or that the shortbed is cleaner than his current rig.

 

[6.2Blazer]

I've read is post several times and am still confused. There is nothing in his post that says he has a longbed only that someone wants to trade him a cleaner shortbed.

or i'd just keep my long bed,

Anyway, the Vortec 305's were quite a bit peppier than the previous TBI 305's...just like the difference in the Vortec 350 vs. TBI 350. I know some people will say they like the TBI versions better, but from experience the Vortec's were noticably stronger. My opinion is that the people who don't like Vortecs have that view because they don't understand them...just like people say they like carbs better than EFI.

 

[mud hungry]

I agree completely. My wife has a 95 Tahoe with the old TBI and I have the 97 with the vortec. Both 5.7L The vortec is SO much quicker on throttle response and more powerful. I would much rather have the Vortec. and yes even considering I have had to replace the intake gasket at 130K.

 

[Pvt. Maggot]

Thanks for all the input guys! My 89 is a 1500 4x4 long bed, and I just can't bring myself to like longbeds, std cab shortbeds arn't short enough, Thats why i'm a K5 fan hah. Anyway, this truck isn't going to be lifted huge, or anything, maybe a 3" body lift, some 33's and an exhaust and intake, just a dd work truck that can go on random offroad adventures. Sounds like it'll be worth it, now I just have to see how much cash this guys gonna want, I offered 300-400 was that too low you think?

 

[vortec]

you'll just about break even in the power department, but the 305 will probably rev higher to get there. i don't think the 305 is a bad engine, but i don't like the small bore. it's more limiting than a wimpy cam or restrictive heads (stuff you can fix by swapping parts).

if you just need to get by; 305. if you want to get ahead; 350.

i'll play the devil's advocate for a second. if you get the 305 and wake it up with parts you can swap to a 350 one day, that could be a good way to go.

I offered 300-400 was that too low you think?

most likely. the 97 is probably worth about twice what the 89 is.

 

[Pvt. Maggot]

Yeah, I just called and he wants 1400 with my truck, which I know isn't bad, but I don't have 1400 bucks laying around. Oh well, guess I have to wait untill the next deal comes along, unless 1400 bucks magically appears in my hands, hah