So ive decided to wait a little longer to start on the ls swap on my 89 c1500. Im just gonna do a mild build on my 350 since it only has around 35,000 original miles. It is a pretty much stock 35o out of a 89 k5. I was told by the P.O that it has a mild cam in it but im not sure. Ive already got some vortec heads and the GMPP vortec intake to go on it so i can use my stock throttle body. so my question is, What Cam/Valvetrain combo will give me some good numbers? Im kinda new to the engine building world. I really want a slight lopey idle and some good power gains. so any advice on cam and valvetrain combos for the vortec heads?
CK5
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350 Engine Build Questions!
- Thread starter Aaron1989
- Start date
Personally, I'd not throw any money into a cam. If the cam in there works now, put the heads and intake on it, and see what you think.
You aren't going to like this, but Vortec heads on a TBI motor require a tune. I don't care what people say their results are, hook a scantool up to it afterwards, you will see its running lean and will most likely knock as well, whether or not you can hear it. Better flow requires more fuel, the Vortecs flow better, TBI does not compensate for fuel delivery under heavy throttle.
The Vortec heads alone are worth ~25HP, I would want to see what those did for me and *hope* the tune is rich enough to keep you out of knock/lean under heavy throttle, before adding the problem of worse vacuum signal from the cam.
You aren't going to like this, but Vortec heads on a TBI motor require a tune. I don't care what people say their results are, hook a scantool up to it afterwards, you will see its running lean and will most likely knock as well, whether or not you can hear it. Better flow requires more fuel, the Vortecs flow better, TBI does not compensate for fuel delivery under heavy throttle.
The Vortec heads alone are worth ~25HP, I would want to see what those did for me and *hope* the tune is rich enough to keep you out of knock/lean under heavy throttle, before adding the problem of worse vacuum signal from the cam.
I had planned on having it tuned afterwards.. I was going to put a better fuel pump and an adjustable regulator in and get it tuned from there. And I will probably just do the heads and intake first but I was just wondering about the cam for future reference. Thanks for the reply!
If you were going with tuning afterwards (I hope its someone reputable) then not really any reason to shy away from another cam.
But...for the cost of tuning, head swap, intake, cam, gaskets, and so on, I would NOT waste time on a Gen 1 small block when I know an LS-swap is in the future. If you have parts, sell them if you can get rid of them for decent money, and help fund the LS.
Unless you are made of money, in which case spend it twice!
Trust me, I made mistakes on my various iterations of motor, in terms of power and efficiency, nothing you do to the TBI (within reason) will match what an LS will do, and most likely do stock, to me it just seems pointless to waste money if the motor runs fine now.
But...for the cost of tuning, head swap, intake, cam, gaskets, and so on, I would NOT waste time on a Gen 1 small block when I know an LS-swap is in the future. If you have parts, sell them if you can get rid of them for decent money, and help fund the LS.
Unless you are made of money, in which case spend it twice!
Trust me, I made mistakes on my various iterations of motor, in terms of power and efficiency, nothing you do to the TBI (within reason) will match what an LS will do, and most likely do stock, to me it just seems pointless to waste money if the motor runs fine now.
