What's new
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.

Vortec motor ?'s

jp0863

jp0863

1/2 ton status
Joined
Aug 15, 2004
Posts
575
Reaction score
0
Location
clovis, ca
What years had Vortec tbi otors?

I don't know much about the tbi motor's and have a lot to learn. I was thinking this morning, since I have to rebuild my engine anyway, why not just rebuild a later Vortec tbi motor? Would the tbi from an 89 fit the later tbi vortec motor?
From what I understand, the vortec heads and intake are different, so why not just use a vortec motor. I can get one free.

Also what year should I look for?
What do I need to grab from the donor?

Thanks, JP
 
Vortec and TBI are different systems.

If you plan to swap in a Vortec motor, including its injection system, will require a lot of wiring work, and running the Vortec computer.

95 was the last TBI year, the vortec's started in 96.
 
You can run tbi on Vortec heads though - you just need either a vortec 4 barrel intake and a tbi adapter plate, or a vortec intake with tbi mounting pattern. GM Performance makes the vortec/tbi intake manifolds.
 
I have nothing to add but I haven't seen you on here in ages! Good to see you back. You sold me the 3/4 tons that lived under my truck the past 5 years.
 
Avery, how's it going. Building a 1 ton suburban now.

I misunderstood the vortec years. I thought it came out in 95 and had a throttle body injection system. My bad. guess it is totally different. Thanks all.
 
skip the 96-2000 vortec problems and swap a ls in place like 5.3 or 6.0 same basic work and LOT better power and fuel economy .

true vortecs had intake gasket problems a LOT and also injector spider problems along with dist gears getting eaten up bad .
 
sweetk30 said:
skip the 96-2000 vortec problems and swap a ls in place like 5.3 or 6.0 same basic work and LOT better power and fuel economy .

true vortecs had intake gasket problems a LOT and also injector spider problems along with dist gears getting eaten up bad .
Click to expand...

QFT. Also, there is 0 aftermarket support for 5.7l vortecs.
 
I actually like the vortec engines in their stock form. Decent MI for what they are. But can't argue the 5.3 6.0 swaps.

For minor changes vortec heads on a TBI engine is worth it
 
chevydan3 said:
QFT. Also, there is 0 aftermarket support for 5.7l vortecs.
Click to expand...

This is true, not much to upgrade. Intake and injection are horrible on them. Don't flow well past 4800 rpm. The best upgrade would probably be a marine intake, 0422 comp, with higher psi injectors, which are a retrofit for the marine intake cause no one makes them.

I'd love to swap an lq4 or lq9 into my 98. Even a 5.3 would be nice!
 
Well I have two 5.7 Vortecs. Zero problems in 200,000+ miles. My neighbors '98 5.7 Vortec has 310,000 miles with zero problems. Great mileage, plenty of power in stock form.

I also have a 2006 6.0, no more power than my 5.7 Vortec, but it gets 5 mpg less, like all the other 6.0's. I'd take a newer truck with the older Vortec 5.7, if they still made them.
 
I'd like to see some one swap the vortec 350 in a square body. Would it take too much to go from tbi to the vortec setup? :dunno:

I've owned a few rigs with this motor and thought it was decent on power. it would bolt right in too...

I had a 94 square body s10 with the vortec 4.3 and it would scoot quite well. never thought that rig needed a v8 swap. plenty of power for that size rig.
 
The engine I have in my blazer is essentially the same. L-31 engine, but with a quadrajet and bigger cam. It does it's job.

I have seen some swap the whole engine with computer over in a 72, looked out of place, course the injection setup is not meant to look good. The LS engines actually look
more at home in the older trucks.

I actually thought this write-up was pretty good. http://www.hotrodlane.cc/PDFFILES/Lisa Tahoe.pdf
 
alexsdad said:
Well I have two 5.7 Vortecs. Zero problems in 200,000+ miles. My neighbors '98 5.7 Vortec has 310,000 miles with zero problems. Great mileage, plenty of power in stock form.

I also have a 2006 6.0, no more power than my 5.7 Vortec, but it gets 5 mpg less, like all the other 6.0's. I'd take a newer truck with the older Vortec 5.7, if they still made them.
Click to expand...


you guys have had intake gaskets replaced, right? If not you might want to take a peek at them. I could see one go 200k with the upgraded gaskets, but not the original pos that they came with.
 
Heck, I had to replace the intake gasket on the 4.3 I was talking about at about 230k, still goin stong now too, no leaks, doesn't burn any oil and I switched over to full synthetic last year with it.

Definately a pullin little motor too, pulled a U-Haul car trailer with an '05 Chevy Aveo on it, a Harley 883 Sportster in the bed, and the car was filled with construction tools, clothes and a bunch of other crap from San Diego back to Phoenix,,, no speeds less than 45mph up some of those nasty hills.

Stupid thing seemed to love pulling with the RPM's up around the 4000 range, I personally didn't like it, but it pulled.

Been wanting to swap it out some day soon with a 350, but it runs, so i'm leaving it for now.
 
alexsdad said:
I also have a 2006 6.0, no more power than my 5.7 Vortec.
Click to expand...

Then there is something wrong with your '06 or the 5.7 is far from stock. I had a vortec 454 that was in great shape and it was comparable to the 6.0's for towing but still not on par and definitely not better.

One of our shop trucks is a 2006 2500hd with the 6.0 so I've been behind the wheel of both while towing.
 
If you do go with a vortec, I have 4bbl 4150 style, "carb to TBI" adapter, $15, so you could put a vortec motor in, with a 4bbl Edelbrock or other similar manifold and then put your TBI on it.

I think the vortec motors are good, I have a 96 1/2 ton truck with 350 vortec(that I bought with 139,000 miles on it) and I have had to replace the intake manifold gaskets after I bought it, and then I replaced the spyder, but once you do that, your good for a long time. They're still good up to 400 hp. plus all your accessories will bolt on it and your exhaust.
Remember, nothing from your old truck will bolt up to a 5.3 or 6.0.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom