What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Buying a '92-'99 Suburban - vortech vs tbi

Mikey von

Mikey von

1/2 ton status
Joined
Dec 21, 2005
Posts
1,546
Reaction score
5
Location
Burney, CA
Looking for a '92-'99 Suburban. It seems like the vortech is the way to go as it has more power and supposedly provides better mpg.

This will be a kid hauler rig that my wife will mainly drive.

Anyone have an opinion on vortech vs. tbi?
 
My dad has a '94 1 Ton Crew Cab 4x4 with TBI 350. It is absolutely gutless. Get the vortec and never look back.
 
The TBI would probly be easier to work on and thee are free n cheap mods to squeeze more power out of them, but the Vortec has more power, and can make more power. Better heads that can make alot of power, roller cam to reduce wear. I used to be all about simplicity, but now I would say Vortec 1st, TBI 2nd, Carb 3rd.
 
Buy a 96+. Newer interior, vortec motor. No brainer.

Whats your budget?
 
Vortec. I dragged against a 93 2-door Blazer yesterday and it was no contest, my Vortec against his TBI. And the Vortec does provide better economy (more power= less work= less fuel used) and better cold starting. Not that you have to worry about that in California, but when it gets to -30f here, Vortec motors will start quite easily, while a tbi might start.
 
Thanks for the replies. i will look for a '96 or newer.

dhcomp said:
Buy a 96+. Newer interior, vortec motor. No brainer.

Whats your budget?
Click to expand...

Cheap. Around $4500. That is what I have in cash. I also have my '97 Camry for trade/sell. I am hoping to get around $2K for that. With my wife quitting her job next month (we are having a 3rd baby in May) we will be hurting big time for $$$. We are hoping to buy her a new suburban for around $4000 and use the money from the camry sale to help with bills after she quits. The Camry is not in the best shape, so trying to finagle a dealer into giving me $1500 or so in trade.

noJeepshere said:
Vortec. I dragged against a 93 2-door Blazer yesterday and it was no contest, my Vortec against his TBI. And the Vortec does provide better economy (more power= less work= less fuel used) and better cold starting. Not that you have to worry about that in California, but when it gets to -30f here, Vortec motors will start quite easily, while a tbi might start.
Click to expand...

You do realize not all of CA is sun and beaches. I live in snow country and we see the cold side of zero multiple times each winter. Either way it seems vortech is the way to go.

anyone know of any cheap 4x4 vortech subs for sale?
 
Good luck. doable in that price range, but with my 90's and newer IFS experience, you run into wear issues if you are picky in the 150k range.

96 + 4x4 1500's are what you want. THe 3/4 ton was a dog with the 350, and if $$$ is a problem, you don't want the 454.
 
Mikey von said:
You do realize not all of CA is sun and beaches. I live in snow country and we see the cold side of zero multiple times each winter. Either way it seems vortech is the way to go.
Click to expand...
I thought maybe you lived in a coldish place after I had posted up.

anyone know of any cheap 4x4 vortech subs for sale?
Click to expand...
In fact, my parents are trying to sell their 99 4x4 1500.:D $4500 is a little less than what they would like for it, but it hasn't sold in over a month, so make them an offer. PM me if you're more interested.

IMG_0101.JPG
 
I too say vortec, but . . . Aftermarket support is huge for the tbi engines. Vortec engines are kinda stuck with what they got. Aside from bolt-on stuff like intake and exhaust, there isn't much else available (like manifolds or injectors)
other than programming.
 
chevydan3 said:
I too say vortec, but . . . Aftermarket support is huge for the tbi engines. Vortec engines are kinda stuck with what they got. Aside from bolt-on stuff like intake and exhaust, there isn't much else available (like manifolds or injectors)
other than programming.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about this and agree, but I already own a project that takes all my free time and much of my $$$ (my '89 suburban).
 
As said. If you are going to keep it stock as a DD get a Vortec.
If you want to build it and make power TBI is the better system.
 
Ok, so i have it narrowed down to the vortec. How does the 7.4l do on mpg compared to the 5.7l.

There are a lot of the 2500 suburbans out there, but I am thinking that the mpg may be much worse than the 5.7l. Is this correct? I am mostly concerned with daily driving mpg (mostly highway), not towing.
 
I had a 97 454, 410's, 285's, and could't get over about 11 freeway. Way worse combined. Hence why I don't have a 454 any more. And the 2500's with 350's are Rare. I searched all over for one, until I drove one, and decided I was too underpowered t be my dd and only vehicle. I have a 91 2500 w/350 now, but I dd a 540i with a 6 speed, so I can get my speedfiz elsewhere
 
It's all about the vortec engine. I have a tbi 350 in my pickup, and my dad has the vortec in his 98 suburban. The burb has noticeably more power when you drive it.
 
Get a vortec, save yer money then build a Vortec 383 with 450 pound feet of torque. You would have 400 pounds of torque from 2500-4000 RPM. Also Ive seen 9.5:1 compression Vortec 355 inch crate motors putting out 385 hp and 405 torque.

That being said, a TBI 350 pushed to Vortec power #s (250hp and 330 torque) with the proper gearing for tire size should be ok. Unless you plan on alot of towing. My 85 Blazer has a 160 horse carbed 350 and does fine with 4.56's. I wont win any races and dont tow much with it but its very capable out on the trail.
 
Well I have both a TBI blazer and a Vortec Tahoe and the Vortec is a nice daily driver and gets nice fuel mileage but the TBI in my blazer with an Edelbrock cam and intake outperforms the Vortec any day :D
 
I love my 99 Sub , damn thing moves too , I love taking it to 4 grand on the on ramp and surprising people who "try" to get in front of the slow truck :bow:

Last time I went to Moab , I wasn't slowest on the grades either , and we had 454's and powerstokes in our group :D
 
So Mikey. Did you give up on the 6.5 idea? If good MPG is what you want. A good 6.5 in a Sub will do nicely for a DD.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom