Engine rebuild suggestions

[Redwookie]

So the engine is getting a little tired in the Blazer so I'm looking to do a low buck rebuild/upgrade. I was thinking a set of the cast iron vortec heads and a new cam. So do those heads bolt right up w/ the existing tbi setup? Any other ideas or comments are welcomed/

 

[dyeager535]

Nope, new intake at a minimum, chip burning highly recommended.

 

[RootBreaker]

just to note.. in case you do go vortec and get it to work on your TBI setup...
if you swap the cam... remember these things cant take a radical cam without some work...

the studs are pressed in and need to be drilled and tapped for a mild lift cam...

due to that I was going to go with the comp cams extreme 4x4 cam that had a Lift .474/.474... I heard that is pushing these heads to the max...
so I went with the Lift .458/.458

 

[Thunder]

You are looking at aprox $1200 extra on top of the engine work to use Vortec heads.
TBI to vortec manifold and EGR plumbing= $400
New Vortec Heads= $600+ or -
New chip= $250

IMO. If you want to go low buck. Just do a mild port job, and install better valve springs on the heads you have. Get a mild computer frendly cam. The Eelbrock TBI manifold and cam is a good combo and will work fine with the stock chip. The cam is very mild but still better than stock.
If the edelbrock cam is too small for you. Comp 252BH11, or Melling MTC1 cam are a good choice if you want to keep the stock chip. All you have to do is advance the timing 2 to 4 degrees. Get an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and guage, and up the fuel pressure to 12 to 13 PSI. It would also be a good idea to have headers and good exhaust.
With the set up above you will make about the same power/torque under 4000 RPM as Vortecs will, and get better MPG.

 

[Redwookie]

Thanks for the info Thunder, good stuff there. Yeah I don't need a ton of power just a little pep in the step. Out of curiosity do you have a guesstimate on the hp/tq numbers for that set up?

You are looking at aprox $1200 extra on top of the engine work to use Vortec heads.
TBI to vortec manifold and EGR plumbing= $400
New Vortec Heads= $600+ or -
New chip= $250

IMO. If you want to go low buck. Just do a mild port job, and install better valve springs on the heads you have. Get a mild computer frendly cam. The Eelbrock TBI manifold and cam is a good combo and will work fine with the stock chip. The cam is very mild but still better than stock.
If the edelbrock cam is too small for you. Comp 252BH11, or Melling MTC1 cam are a good choice if you want to keep the stock chip. All you have to do is advance the timing 2 to 4 degrees. Get an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and guage, and up the fuel pressure to 12 to 13 PSI. It would also be a good idea to have headers and good exhaust.
With the set up above you will make about the same power/torque under 4000 RPM as Vortecs will, and get better MPG.

 

[pauly383]

For just a little pep , why not just do a stock rebuild and use a roller cam valvetrain . My 93's roller motor just plain rocks , and thats a heavy rig to boot .

 

[Redwookie]

Hmm..I've mostly worked on 3rd gen Camaros before this. I guess I thought an 89 L05 5.7 came with a roller cam? No I guess?

For just a little pep , why not just do a stock rebuild and use a roller cam valvetrain . My 93's roller motor just plain rocks , and thats a heavy rig to boot .

 

[RootBreaker]

You are looking at aprox $1200 extra on top of the engine work to use Vortec heads.
TBI to vortec manifold and EGR plumbing= $400
New Vortec Heads= $600+ or -
New chip= $250

depends on where you get your heads from... I was going to go with a tbi 454 but ended up picking up a set of vortec heads for $200. The guy even ahd them recently tested and were not cracked or anything....

but yeah the vortec egr tbi intakes dont look cheap!!!!!

 

[Redwookie]

I found a set of complete new vortecs for $325. But yeah if I can reach my goal w/ a little work on the stock set up I will. I'm only looking for ~300hp/325tq. Or so.

depends on where you get your heads from... I was going to go with a tbi 454 but ended up picking up a set of vortec heads for $200. The guy even ahd them recently tested and were not cracked or anything....

but yeah the vortec egr tbi intakes dont look cheap!!!!!

 

[RootBreaker]

I found a set of complete new vortecs for $325. But yeah if I can reach my goal w/ a little work on the stock set up I will. I'm only looking for ~300hp/325tq. Or so.

if you can get them NEW for that price... grab em and ebay them!!!!!

then take that cash towards your build

 

[Redwookie]

My bad that was $325 per head. Here's the link if anyone is interested: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/sto...-Cylinder-Head-Assembly-12558060-P752C65.aspx So that being said is 300hp/325tq possible w/ exhaust and cam upgrade only?

if you can get them NEW for that price... grab em and ebay them!!!!!

then take that cash towards your build

 

[Thunder]

The stock TB will only support about 280 HP. To get 300 plus hp you need a bigger TB, 65 lb hr injectors, and custom chip.
But you can make around 325- 330 torque with the stock TB.
Also as said eariler a roller cam is a good thing. Your block is already tapped for the guide plates. All you need is the roller cam kit to install one.

 

[Redwookie]

Close enough for me! How about torque? That's what I'm more interested in. Stock output was 210hp/300ft lbs right? So torque should improve a bit too yeah? Maybe an extra 30 or 40 ft/lbs? I could live w/ 280hp/340ft/lbs.

The stock TB will only support about 280 HP. To get 300 plus hp you need a bigger TB, 65 lb hr injectors, and custom chip.

 

[89yimmiJ]

gmpartsdirect.com $285.96 each. However, last year I was quoted $200 apiece at the local dealer a friend worked at, so check around.

 

[Redwookie]

Good info 89jimmyJ. But the key for me is cheap so any takers on the 280hp/340ft/lbs possible w/cam and exhaust only?

 

[Thunder]

This is what i am running.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/46mm...62QQcategoryZ33550QQihZ015QQitemZ250232653888

Web site: http://www.xtremefi.com/aboutus.html

It should give you the numbers you want. But you are pushing the limits of the stock chip.
I am running that TB on the stock chip with about 13 PSI fuel. It works good.
With ported heads, and mild cam it will run on the stock chip with more fuel pressure and timing. But depending on the cam. To get the most out of it, you may need a custom chip because of the higher air flow

 

[89yimmiJ]

For extra pep, look into getting a used Vortech. I bought a complete S-Trim kit with chip on ebay for $1100 a couple years ago. I bought a larger pulley to slow it down to 5lbs a boost and my gas mileage went up 2 mpg, and HP increased to 220-230(?) at the rear wheels on my 110,000 mileage motor.

 

[Redwookie]

Hey thanks guys but I think I like Thunder's idea as I need to rebuild the engine anyways and I could get the numbers I'm looking for included in the cost for less than 1100 for a s/c. Hey Thunder you mentioned a couple cams a while ago which one are you using? Or recommend to hit that target? I may add the TB you linked as well but might try the stock set up fpr starters.

 

[bladwin]

lot's of info...

http://www.tbichips.com/truckmods.htm

 

[Thunder]

What cam.
If you have to pass smog either the Edelbrock or Comp cam will work.
If smog is not an issue the melling MTC1 will wake your engine up. It is by no means a performance cam. It is basicly a RV torque cam. It was orginally made for carbs but the grind works well with TBI also. They can make your idle rich so it may not pass a sniffer without a custom chip. The melling cam is the best value. Cam and lifter kits are very reasonable. Most auto parts stores carry them.

Comp has a number of cams that work well with TBI. You can get the whole kit from them with cam lifters retainers and springs. Call them and tell them what you are after. They have a good tech people and will recomend a cam for your needs.