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Engine Replacement Advice Request

colbystephens

colbystephens

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Hey Guys! It's been an awfully long time since I've been on the forums. Long story short:

  • Finished grad school, moved back to Oregon.
  • Swapped in a remanned 5.7L engine from a builder out of Spokane, WA. Got totally screwed: Engine block was cracked upon delivery, and they wiggled out of the warranty process. I lost a LOT of money between the initial cost of the install + costs attempting to recover the warranty.
  • Truck got parked.
  • In the midst of all this, my wife and I bought a fixer house, got pregnant, etc., etc., etc.
  • Despite what appears like whining above, life has been the best yet in the past 3 years.
So, the truck has been sitting waiting on repairs. But now it's time to look at repairing the Nevada Blazer! I'm stoked.

I'd like advice on what engine to buy. I'm leaning toward buying a new Chevy engine since I got burned so bad on the remanned unit. I am ONLY interested in a stock TBI 5.7L replacement. I want a simple swap.

Summit has this one for $2862: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12681430/overview/ Seems a bit steep to me, but I don't really know.

What other manufacturers/vendors have you used and been 100% happy with?

12592585_1778107252418830_3680143226688523177_n.jpg


1990 K5
350/700r4/NP241/D60/14BFF+Detroit w/ 5.13 gears
4" Procomp Spring Lift + 1" DIY 4x EZ-Inch
38" Super Swamper SS
Crossover + Hydro assist steering

Needs a little love.
 
i wonder why that engine is $800 more than the L31 vortec 350?

Also note that the 12681430 "TBI" engine has flat lifters while the L31 has roller lifters. (Any engine can run tbi)

i've had really good experiences with GM/goodwrench/chevrolet performance engines so far.
 
I wondered that too. Any reason I shouldn't use the newer engine with better lifters and less cost?
 
Is the cam the same? That’s what messes with the computer, the change in the vacuum characteristics

And +1 on GM crate engines. My family has purchased several over the years
 
P.S.
What's your Masters or P.h.d. in?

i have to go to sleep. Will discuss everything in depth later. Short story is i would be leaning towards the L31.....
 
Bent77 said:
Is the cam the same? That’s what messes with the computer, the change in the vacuum characteristics

And +1 on GM crate engines. My family has purchased several over the years
Click to expand...

Good point on the cam. I'll have to look into that.

vandelay industries said:
P.S.
What's your Masters or P.h.d. in?
Click to expand...

Visual art with an emphasis on national economic policy. True story.
 
colbystephens said:
I wondered that too. Any reason I shouldn't use the newer engine with better lifters and less cost?
Click to expand...
The L31 won't allow your stock intake to bolt to it. Vortec's have 8 bolts for the intake to attach with vs the stock 12 on your TBI. You would have to buy a Vortec TBI intake. It adds cost to your swap, but you would have the better roller lifters for longevity. The Flat tappet setup is fine, but you should look at using high zinc oil to prevent a cam lobe from going flat. Both are decent options, that need some different things.

DON'T get a Jasper Reman. The cheap price isn't worth the BS.
 
@colbystephens

It maybe cheaper, and all around better option to use the L31, buy an aftermarket aluminum intake, and potentially invest in a Howell chip only after seeing how yours works with the cam

All your other options will cost more, but I fear a stock TBI will be a disappointment
 
Bent77 said:
@colbystephens

It maybe cheaper, and all around better option to use the L31, buy an aftermarket aluminum intake, and potentially invest in a Howell chip only after seeing how yours works with the cam

All your other options will cost more, but I fear a stock TBI will be a disappointment
Click to expand...
Pretty sure this will be stock engine number 3? Don’t think that’ll be a problem as long as it works and keeps working.
 
Why the F is that engine 2800 bucks? Odd. You should be able to to buy that at Costco for 19.95.

Although I'm not a 350 small block kinda guy myself it seems like a L31 is probably the best bet here. Right around 2k and it will bolt in with minimal modifications.
 
Both cams are pretty "tame," nothing over 200deg @.050 lift. Although the 430 "K" "tbi" engine seems even more conservative cam-wise being more of a torquer?

Another thing to be aware of is to make sure that the dipstick position on these engines is compatible (no interference) with your exhaust manifolds or headers. This may seem miniscule, and i personally think it's not a major issue----because you can always run a malibu pan. But it's still something to consider.

i am still not totally firm on which engine you should go with at this point:

1) All three engines (even the basic 350 crate "goodwrench" engine would work good, i think) are good.

2) With a visual arts degree w/ n.e.p. AND a new kid on the way, you REALLY need to be conservative with money at this point, no offense.......If i may be so bold.....


Note: 78-9 malibus had the dipstick going directly into the pan. Not sure why, but they did. There is a dorman part#, but i don't have time to look now. Or you can try the salvage yards.
 
My reason for the L31 is the hydraulic roller. This have traditionally yielded flatter torque ban.

Anyone actually pull charts on these two? Might be pertinent
 
I have a gm performace stock tbi350. It has never let me down the 10 years ive had it. I got it at summit racing in Reno, it was close to $1800 at the time.
 
ZooMad75 said:
The L31 won't allow your stock intake to bolt to it. Vortec's have 8 bolts for the intake to attach with vs the stock 12 on your TBI. You would have to buy a Vortec TBI intake. It adds cost to your swap, but you would have the better roller lifters for longevity. The Flat tappet setup is fine, but you should look at using high zinc oil to prevent a cam lobe from going flat. Both are decent options, that need some different things..
Click to expand...

Good info about the intake!

Bent77 said:
@colbystephens

It maybe cheaper, and all around better option to use the L31, buy an aftermarket aluminum intake, and potentially invest in a Howell chip only after seeing how yours works with the cam

All your other options will cost more, but I fear a stock TBI will be a disappointment
Click to expand...

That's a cool idea, and I'd be open to that if it really won't screw with my computer. Sounds like it might be cheaper or equivalent in price for possibly more power. However, a stock TBI won't disappoint me. The two that I've had have been fine. Being that my truck is well geared, it does fine. I just want easy and reliable.

Smokinthehippies said:
Pretty sure this will be stock engine number 3? Don’t think that’ll be a problem as long as it works and keeps working.
Click to expand...

Exactly! :D

vandelay industries said:
Another thing to be aware of is to make sure that the dipstick position on these engines is compatible (no interference) with your exhaust manifolds or headers. This may seem miniscule, and i personally think it's not a major issue----because you can always run a malibu pan. But it's still something to consider.

i am still not totally firm on which engine you should go with at this point:

1) All three engines (even the basic 350 crate "goodwrench" engine would work good, i think) are good.

2) With a visual arts degree w/ n.e.p. AND a new kid on the way, you REALLY need to be conservative with money at this point, no offense.......If i may be so bold.....
Click to expand...

The dip stick thing is not miniscule to me. I have no interest in pulling the pan off a perfectly assembled engine, putting on a new one, and introducing the possibility of a leak.

1. You've stated 3 engines. I only recall talking about two: The stock TBI engine, and the L31. What's the third option we're talking about?
2. I'm not offended. My daughter is now 3. My truck sat untouched while we got our lives in order over the last three years after grad school/baby. I make really good money, and am extremely financially conservative - so this isn't financially risky at all. The reason I want to go simple and stock has nothing to do with money - it's the simplicity that I want.

Bent77 said:
My reason for the L31 is the hydraulic roller. This have traditionally yielded flatter torque ban.

Anyone actually pull charts on these two? Might be pertinent
Click to expand...

I like flat torque bans! I really like this idea. I've got some reading to do!

onetonbb74 said:
I have a gm performace stock tbi350. It has never let me down the 10 years ive had it. I got it at summit racing in Reno, it was close to $1800 at the time.
Click to expand...

I wish I would've done that while I lived in Reno. I remember that price point, too, and can't figure why they're charging $1k more now than before.
 
FWIW, my crate has the dipper on the passenger side now, and it’s easier than working around the brake booster
 
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