Best way to wake up my 350 with 1500 bucks

[76k5blazerr]

Well guys, I appreciate all the good advice. I sold my LS setup the other day for 1500 and pulled the motor and trans out of the truck over the weekend and started tearing down the motor. I think I will start a build thread before I go much further. I have ordered the top end kit, a new oil pan and timing cover and various other little parts and gaskets I will need. When I took off the oil pan I was pleased to see this is a four bolt main block. Parts should be here today or tomorrow, look for a build thread coming soon.

 

[sreidmx]

Aww man I am so glad you ordered that top end, all this jazz about vortec heads is usually only good for sub 380hp, as much as I dislike edelbrock the top end kit is an easy way to decent power and having it match. You'll be really happy with how it runs!

 

[Aaron jackson 87]

Ignore the fake wannabe posers who have no idea how to make real speed.... what you need is NITRO. throw this thing on the bottle for $600..spend the rest on beer, hookers and a GOPRO. crank out the instagram vids and profit like a boss.





Jeggs vortex performer intake manifold is way less money. thats what I have on my rig...cool center bolt vortec valve covers that don't cost more than the heads are hard to find tho.

 

[Aaron jackson 87]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Yessss!

 

[rjfguitar]

Huge mistake. You have a running vehicle, just keep driving it. Put the LQ4 in a safe space and just save for the rest of the swap parts. Then you'd have an engine. Now that you sold it, you are going to dump a bunch of money into a 1950's tech engine that will still be carbed, still run like doo, and still not make as much power as a stock 5.3L. In the end you'll want that LQ4 back.

I know I know, a little harsh RJF, but it is what it is.

 

[76k5blazerr]

Huge mistake. You have a running vehicle, just keep driving it. Put the LQ4 in a safe space and just save for the rest of the swap parts. Then you'd have an engine. Now that you sold it, you are going to dump a bunch of money into a 1950's tech engine that will still be carbed, still run like doo, and still not make as much power as a stock 5.3L. In the end you'll want that LQ4 back.

I know I know, a little harsh RJF, but it is what it is.

I understand your point, but what I am doing is going to be cheaper and easier than the LS swap. Plus I have been wanting to build an engine for a while. I have a daily driver, this truck can be down for a few weeks. LS swaps are cool but so are built small blocks and this motor should make just as much power now as the lq4. My project, my money, my way.

On a better note, parts came in this afternoon, opening the boxes was fun... I am excited to get the motor assembled. I got the lifters, cam and timing set pulled tonight so on Friday I will be assembling the motor.

Quick question: I have always heard that you should presoak new lifters before installing them, but there was a piece of paper with them that said that "precharging" them could have negative or detrimental effects on the motor. It said to just oil them before install. What do you guys think? No idea why some of the type just went small.

Any other tech tips to help with the top end assembly. I think I pretty much understand how to do everything but always appreciate advice from folks who have done it many times.

 

[sreidmx]

Bullshit.. huge freaking bullshit.. everyone says this but there is no doubt 400hp is 400hp and with more cubes and a flatter curve.. yea sure a Ls could do it easier, use less fuel and be less of an pain in the ass but there is nothing wrong with the short route to bolt one.. a properly setup edelcrap will do exactly what he wants.. for a very long time.. we've only had Ls motors since 1998 what the hell did people do before that?
Ls motors are damn good and easy to make power with but I'll still argue for a hot rod it's still a lot simpler for what he wants to do with it.. sorry not trying to be a dick bit seriously.. and I'm swapping an Ls into my tow truck and my blazer still has a sbc so don't think I haven't thought this through myself.

 

[rjfguitar]

I just can't understand why anyone would want to spend money on the old small blocks anymore at this point. $2K doesn't go far buying heads, cam, etc for those old engines, where $2K goes a long way with getting a 5.3L installed. Twice the engine, better fuel mileage, better power curve, everything is better.

But, I am biased. Every carbed engine I've ever had was a piece of garbage. My K5's stock 350, my "built" 406 was a joke, and the stock 454 in my K30 isn't bad, but isn't good either. Even with my snowmobiles, I'm getting rid of the last of my carbed sleds and moving towards all EFI stuff.

Enjoy your engine build.

 

[Hoss7979]

The LS swap just seems to nickel and dime you to death. I will be in it for more money than if I spend a little on the small block. I'm looking at probably another 1000 bucks just to get it in my truck and running. I agree on the gearing though, and I may try to find a 700r4 to run, so I can go to 4.10 gears.

Say it isn't so about the all mighty LS!!!

To get the to 385/440 bench mark your gonna need to look @ better flowing heads w/ 2.02/1.60 valves. Depending on the compression look for smaller chambers to bump it up to 9.5 or so @ the very least. Cam selection depends on what your gonna be doing w/ your K5, Extreme 4x4 cams are nice also look into there Extreme Energy. Or even Elgin cams they have a nice selection as well.

 

[sreidmx]

That edelbrock package deals with 90% of the shortcomings the stock engine is hampered with. Even if the cam is an old school grind it works and has proven itself. That's all I was getting at. If this was some sort of experiment with maximizing stock parts you will fall short.. it's all in the heads cam intake and compression, the rest really is just for durability.. even a stock bottom end will live a fairly long life in that power range.

 

[76k5blazerr]

Build thread is up in the driveway if anyone is interested in following the engine build and the rest of the build, as always advice in there is appreciated.