blackandgold51
1/2 ton status
?
CK5
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Is it possible to convert a 350 gas TBI to Vortec?
- Thread starter blackandgold51
- Start date
Anything is possible.
Do you mean the 96-99 Vortec engines?
Are you just referring to the fuel injection parts or everything top to bottom?
Do you mean the 96-99 Vortec engines?
Are you just referring to the fuel injection parts or everything top to bottom?
blackandgold51
1/2 ton status
I was talking about engines from the late 80s early 90s tbi into Vortec. Injection and/or top to bottom
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Well the wiring is all different, so it would be the same amount of work wiring wise as an LS swap or TPI swap. Vortec, although not bad isnt exactly the greatest injection going. The manifold/injector setup kind of sucks and is not repair friendly, especially on a trail. In fact its so disliked that GM actually sold a next gen TPI style manifold that was a bolt on to be run by the vortec computer/harness for hotrod/offroad guys during that era. Yes the motor have pretty good power but its all in the heads not the benefits of the injection.
blackandgold51
1/2 ton status
So it's best to change the heads but keep the tbi
For that much money and effort, there are probably better things you could do. The simplest thing would probably be to keep the tbi setup. What are you trying to accomplish.
blackandgold51
1/2 ton status
Get some power with efficiency
blackandgold51
1/2 ton status
Main goal is to get as much air as possible(intake, headers, etc)
I would not waste money on an old 350. For less money you can put in a 4.8L LS and actually get good mileage with it.
runamok151
1 ton status
Just put in a nice mild cam. The Edelbrock Performer cam really woke up my truck and, IMHO, is a perfect balance for an all around dd/ weekend player type rig.
Having the proper gears after putting on bigger tires is the other necessity.
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
If you run a "TBI recommended" cam and a performer would the comp need to be chipped? Or will it deal with it?
What gears and tires size do you have?
Martin
Martin
TBI setups use a narrowband O2 sensor. The setups can't modify fueling under heavy throttle outside of how they were programmed from the factory. "Computer friendly" IMO is a bit of a scam. What they apparently do, is remove any margin of error that GM had built into the heavy throttle tuning. Under most circumstances this seems to work, but if they weren't limited to this "margin of error" then there is probably more performance to be had. You aren't limited to the cam grinds that fit that margin.
Another IMO, the SBC Vortec systems are junk, comparatively. Downsides already covered, TBI with better heads is likely to do almost as well in terms of power (remember, Vortec heads alone are worth 25HP compared to earlier heads) and an LS will make either of them look pointless.
Another IMO, the SBC Vortec systems are junk, comparatively. Downsides already covered, TBI with better heads is likely to do almost as well in terms of power (remember, Vortec heads alone are worth 25HP compared to earlier heads) and an LS will make either of them look pointless.
blackandgold51
1/2 ton status
33 tires with 37.3s or 4.10s
Don't know much about the gears but it's like the engine rpm goes up high before a quick shift
Find out what gears you actually have, then report back.
Martin
Martin
blackandgold51
1/2 ton status
10 bolt rearend
Why do you think you have 4.10's?
Martin
Martin
blackandgold51
1/2 ton status
Just guessing
runamok151
1 ton status
It didn't say it needed it but my mechanic said it would work better so we threw a superchip in there. IIRC, it did require a little cooler thermostat.
