I'm scratching my head on crate motors. I plan on selling one of my boats that I don't use this spring and dumping the proceeds from one toy into a couple of my other toys . The k5 should have about a 5k budget . With that I figure about 1200 to lmc for all the little things that it needs 600-700 for brush guard or bumper which leaves around 3k for engine . I'm leaning towards the 87-95 gm tbi 4 bolt main replacement engine for 3/4 and above trucks 100k 3 yr warranty 1900. 00 dollar's delivered. Im guessing that the cam is the same for the 1/2 trucks? I might upgrade the intake and cam and put a electric fan on it to get a little bump in power. Another option is the vortec headed 4bolt truck motor and tbi intake and get it tuned. Lastly I thought about getting a bone yard 350 vortec roller cam motor freshen up the bottom end toss the heads or sell them and bolt on a new set of dart iron eagle tbi replacement heads and run with the stock vortec cam? My main goal is simple reliable and easy. I have a few months to figure it out and want to plan wisely. I plan on running the stock exhaust manifolds and keeping the tbi. My fuel system has been upgraded with ultimate tbi mods and adjustable regulator. I would do a ls swap but just don't have the time to do it ,8 days on 2 off is okay for drop in replacement type motor but would take me months to complete with my work schedule.
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.
Crate motors
- Thread starter prolinews
- Start date
If simple and reliable is the goal, throw a bone stock replacement in it and be done. Not really fun that way, but it works and will last.
A roller block, Vortec headed motor built mild would be nice. Obviously, the Vortec intake pattern causes all sorts of issues though that cost money.
I'd think long and hard about headers. ~25HP is a lot to leave on the table for the cost of them. Try to find 25HP in something else that runs $300 or so.
A roller block, Vortec headed motor built mild would be nice. Obviously, the Vortec intake pattern causes all sorts of issues though that cost money.
I'd think long and hard about headers. ~25HP is a lot to leave on the table for the cost of them. Try to find 25HP in something else that runs $300 or so.
You listed a 100k warranty then talk about doing a cam swap, that means no more warranty. If you do a crate motor plan on leaving it stock, unless you don't really care about the warranty.
My vote is a late model roller block (since a LS is off the table) with descent heads,(although, there is nothing wrong with a prepped set of Vortecs) good cam, intake, headers, and programmed to match up.
My vote is a late model roller block (since a LS is off the table) with descent heads,(although, there is nothing wrong with a prepped set of Vortecs) good cam, intake, headers, and programmed to match up.
Last edited:
True enough , I am not sure how the warranty works but a little cam upgrade at the same time would be so tempting. I'm not exactly sure if I can install the motor myself and warranty be honored. The stock 4 bolt main roller vortec motor is super reasonable too . The intake is ridiculous from gmpp though. I read somewhere that people were using a carb intake and tbi adapter. I would think by now someone has perfected a drop in chip that'll run a tbi on a stock vortec motor I just don't know who lol. I'm clueless on tuning I've read the ebl and tuner pro stuff a dozen times and it still confuses me.
On the Vortec side you would just run a carbed intake with the TBI adapter. I think the TBI adapters have crept up to $40 or so, not that many years back they were $20, but oh well.
I suppose one alternative is a good short block (IMO an '86+ car roller would be fine, even though 2 bolt) and as you mentioned before, some good aftermarket heads. Hell the aftermarket is turning out $8-900/pr aluminum heads at this point, those might even be a consideration. The good thing is that if you went that route, then you'd not necessarily need an intake and adapter, if any are made with the proper '86-95 intake pattern.
DirtRidinz71
1/2 ton status
I have the 4 bolt TBI 3/4 ton crate motor in my 92. It uses larger volume heads for a lower compression, same torque numbers as the 1/2 ton but like 10hp less.
I have since added a comp xe249 cam, edlebrock TBI intake manifold, chip from tbichips.com, bumped up fuel psi and the ultimate tbi mods. It works decent, much improved pull over the stock motor and still dead nuts simple and reliable. I've abused it to no end and it keeps taking it.
I have since added a comp xe249 cam, edlebrock TBI intake manifold, chip from tbichips.com, bumped up fuel psi and the ultimate tbi mods. It works decent, much improved pull over the stock motor and still dead nuts simple and reliable. I've abused it to no end and it keeps taking it.
Team208Motorsports
Its Magic Bitch
I'd say go Vortec long block with TBI intake and eprom reflash. Strong combo.
Does anyone make a cheap Vortec TBI intake?
I'm not looking at a catalog, but Vortec heads plus expensive GMPP (or Edelbrock?) intake may be equal to or more than aftermarket heads with a bolt pattern the stock TBI intake will mate up to.
And no idea how common they are out there, but Vortec TBI intakes WERE used on some vans apparently, I've never really looked at vans searching for one. There are some GMPP intakes available on ebay for $350-400, still pretty steep for an intake. Good pair of Vortec heads will run what, $800/pr if you are lucky?
I'm thinking one could pick up some GOOD aftermarket heads (iron or AL) with the TBI intake bolt pattern, for less than $1200?
I'm not looking at a catalog, but Vortec heads plus expensive GMPP (or Edelbrock?) intake may be equal to or more than aftermarket heads with a bolt pattern the stock TBI intake will mate up to.
And no idea how common they are out there, but Vortec TBI intakes WERE used on some vans apparently, I've never really looked at vans searching for one. There are some GMPP intakes available on ebay for $350-400, still pretty steep for an intake. Good pair of Vortec heads will run what, $800/pr if you are lucky?
I'm thinking one could pick up some GOOD aftermarket heads (iron or AL) with the TBI intake bolt pattern, for less than $1200?
Team208Motorsports
Its Magic Bitch
Get a vortec to carb then carb to tbi plate. Much cheaper and way better flow than a TBI intake. Just have to tune according.
Which carb intake is best?
I use an Edelbrock performer and I've been pretty happy with it. There is limited selection in Vortec to carb manifolds. Stick with a dual plane manifold.
ratfink65
Registered Member
I was in the same boat a few months ago. I went with a 12530283 vortec crate engine from summit racing. I found a new left over on ebay at a dealership for $1800.00 and summit price matched it and included free shipping.
I went with a Weiand vortec intake and will be machining my own Tbi adapter. I am going to incorporate the 700r4 TV cable holes to mount the factory bracket in the right place on the intake.
For the ecu I went with a EBL flash. Expensive but way better than someone burning chips for you.
I went with a Weiand vortec intake and will be machining my own Tbi adapter. I am going to incorporate the 700r4 TV cable holes to mount the factory bracket in the right place on the intake.
For the ecu I went with a EBL flash. Expensive but way better than someone burning chips for you.
Keep me posted! When spring gets here I'm going to for sale my salt boat and fund a couple of toy projects and definitely replacing my smoky old 350.
