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Engine swap
- Thread starter SoFineK5
- Start date
bsgreen
1/2 ton status
You can swap pretty much any motor into these trucks. There are threads all over the forum detailing different swaps.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/350-vortec-motor-swap.97076/
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...DD0B00BEACC0596F96AEDD0B00BEACC0596&FORM=VIRE
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/350-vortec-motor-swap.97076/
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...DD0B00BEACC0596F96AEDD0B00BEACC0596&FORM=VIRE
Anything is possible. If you are talking about the entire Vortec setup to include the factory injection, forget it. Throw an LS in there like everyone else has. More power, better engine architecture in general, better economy, and everyone and their brother has done it already.
Vortecs are ok (save the failure prone poppet injection setup) but from what I've seen, the power gains came from the heads and camshaft, not the "Vortec" Injection. Since GM used a Vortec long block with TBI (some vans) I bet the numbers bear out my theory. There is a reason the LS is popular as a swap, and the Vortec (at least small block) is not.
Vortecs are ok (save the failure prone poppet injection setup) but from what I've seen, the power gains came from the heads and camshaft, not the "Vortec" Injection. Since GM used a Vortec long block with TBI (some vans) I bet the numbers bear out my theory. There is a reason the LS is popular as a swap, and the Vortec (at least small block) is not.
I would agree with @dyeager535, if staying carb’d I’d chunk a Vortec 350 in there but if you’re going to try and keep the fuel injection find you an LS.
L29 is the good "vortec" engine to swap in with the stock injection. But all kidding aside, Vortec 350's are decent engines but are far outshined by the later LS based Vortec truck engines.
I'd swap a Vortec 350 in for an earlier engine if I was keeping the carb. Much better heads and roller cam than any Gen 1 small block that came before it. It's a bolt in deal that will accept all your current accessories. Only thing you'll have to do is run an electric fuel pump since the Vortec 350 has no provision for the mechanical fuel pump.
I'd swap a Vortec 350 in for an earlier engine if I was keeping the carb. Much better heads and roller cam than any Gen 1 small block that came before it. It's a bolt in deal that will accept all your current accessories. Only thing you'll have to do is run an electric fuel pump since the Vortec 350 has no provision for the mechanical fuel pump.
wasted wages
1 ton status
BBC....nuff said.
i see your location is cali ? if so you better read up on the smog laws about engine swaps ........ real P.I.T.A in that state . !
and my 87 k30 has a vortec swapped in no problems i couldnt over come real easy .
and my 87 k30 has a vortec swapped in no problems i couldnt over come real easy .
It is possible, you just need to get all the smog stuff that was on whatever engine you use and then go to a referee and get it certified.
I was going to do the same on my 85 k5 but now looks like I will be selling it.
Oh and you can only put same size or bigger so no 5.3, you can put a 6.0 LS if you want but I would just put a vortec 5.7 (L31)
I know you truly believe this, but its not true. The law says you cant change engines between engine families. 1=hd/med duty truck, 2=med/light duty truck, and 3=light duty truck/car. Basically you can't LS swap a topkick unless its a LS that came originally in a hd/med duty truck, and you cant pull the CAT out of a Mack truck and put it in a Pinto.
All squares except topkicks should be light duty trucks, (10,000lb. gvw may be different) you can use any light duty truck or car motor in it as long as the new motor creates less emissions than the original did.
EDIT: didn't realize there was also a light/med duty truck configuration.
copied from the California BAR website.......
1....Model Year - The installed engine must be of the same model year or newer than the model year of the recipient vehicle
2.... Engine Classification - Vehicle and engine classifications of the donor and recipient vehicles must be the same based on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Classification examples include passenger car, light-duty truck (LDT1, LDT2), light-heavy-duty truck (LHD1, LHD2), medium-duty vehicle (MDV), etc. For example, a heavy-duty truck engine may not be installed in a light-duty truck even if they have the same displacement. Non-emissions controlled engines, such as industrial and off-road-use-only engines, and non-certified “crate engines”, MAY NOT be installed in any emission controlled vehicle
3.... Certification Type - The certification type (California or Federal certification) of the engine and recipient vehicle must be the same or, if not, the engine must adhere to the more stringent standard. For example, a California certified engine may be installed in a Federal vehicle but a Federal engine may not be installed in a California vehicle. Proof of the certification type from the manufacturer or CARB EO of the donor engine must be provided at the time of the engine change inspection at the Referee
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Well my info came from a referee, not sure if they changed or he didn't explain it right.
My info is about 16 years old
1 piece rear main on vortec = new flywheel or flex plate as the bolt pattern is different .
I've heard it before, common mistake. CA actually likes us doing swaps, lowers emissions
