gemelke
08-24-2011, 10:05 PM
i have a 94 k1500 the engine has had a hard life its almost dead. was hoping someone can point me in the right way. how big can you go with the engine and keep the tbi? or just get a crate engine. was looking at GM Performance 12568758 what do you think?
bigolblackie
08-29-2011, 01:13 AM
i have a 94 k1500 the engine has had a hard life its almost dead. was hoping someone can point me in the right way. how big can you go with the engine and keep the tbi? or just get a crate engine. was looking at GM Performance 12568758 what do you think?
Nothing wrong with buying a crate motor. I would go for it. I had a reman motor built to my specifications when I had to refreash the motor,it was something like ordering a pizza. I wanted regular gas and heavy duty durable parts built for torque. Thats how I did it and Im happy..
gmctrucks
08-29-2011, 01:28 AM
My buddy bought a crate engine at our local dealership we just loaded it on my truck and put it in and he has had no problems with it.
Pauly
08-29-2011, 06:35 PM
Stock Vortec 350's can be had for around $2200 brand new, but would require a TBI/Vortec intake manifold or Vortec carb intake manifold with a TBI adapter plate. ECM tuning would be required.
There is a Vortec 350 with 2 bolt mains and also a Vortec 350 with 4 bolt mains, they are within dollars of 1 another.
12530282 $2,185.60
L31 Vortec 350 LD 1/2 ton trucks 3/4 ton trucks under 8600lbs GVRW
5.7L 350 96 (L31) (Vortec) light duty, 2-bolt main.
12530282 350 CID New 5.7L
1999-2000 Chevrolet, GMC CK1 (L31) M30 (exc. NM8)
1996-98 Chevrolet, GMC CK1,2 (L31)(5.7R) M50, M30 (exc. NM8)
1996-2002 Chevrolet, GMC G1,2 (L31)(5.7R) M30
Engine-Specific Content: Crankshaft Hub, Front Cover, Oil Pan, and Valve Rocker Cover
Notes: For 2001 G-van application, service engine block contains English threads. May require Valve Covers to be transferred from original engine for some applications.
12530283 $2,236.08
L31 Vortec 350 HD 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks over 8600gvrw
5.7L 350 96 (L31) (Vortec) (HD), 3/8” stem exhaust valves and hardened inserts installed, 4-bolt main.
12530283 350 CID New 5.7L
1996-2000 Chevrolet, GMC CK2,3 (L31) MT1 (exc. NM8, KL5)
1996-2000 Chevrolet, GMC CK2,3 (L31)(5.7R) MW3 (exc. NM8)
1996-2002 Chevrolet, GMC G2,3 (L31)(5.7R) MT1
1996-99 Chevrolet, GMC P3 (L31)(5.7R) MW3, MT1 (exc. NM8, KL5)
Engine-Specific Content: Crankshaft Hub, Front Cover, Oil Pan, and Valve Rocker Covers
Notes: For 2001 G-van applications, service engine block contains English threads. When used for 2001 and 2002 vehicles, must also use 2000 MY Starter/Trans/Eng mounting bolts.
There is nothing wrong with the engine you specced out, it is a stock replacement TBI engine.
http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance/809/12568758/10002/-1
This is teh GMPP TBI/Vortec intake.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12496821/
There were some 1 ton 1996 vans that ran an L31 Vortec 350 longblock with the above intake and TBI injection on top, so the combo does work.
Westers Garage can tune the ECM
$329 or $279 depending on your ECM
http://westersgarage.eidnet.org/GM.htm
as can Fastchip in Tulsa OK $350 for a custom chip, or $168 for a stock chip, since tehre is a stock TBI/Vortec calibration, you MAY luck out.
http://www.fastchip.com/Index.htm
TBIChips can also do these trucks. This site has some very good recommendations for TBI trucks
http://tbichips.com
The Vortec 350's come with a 191/196º 0.412"/.428" with 1.5:1 rockers on a 111ºLSA
The TBI 350 you specced uses a flat tappet 165.9° Int/174.8° duration@0.050" lift of .382" Int/.402" with 1.5 rockers on a 111.8ºLSA.
I just constantly hear stories of guys using local builders and have to pay an arm and a leg and still only get nominal quality. Cant go wrong with a GM crate IMO.
2462 hkr painted steel
2462 1hkr ceramic coated
2462 2hkr stainless steel
All 3 are Hooker Competition series longtube headers with 1 5/8" primaries and 2 1.2" collectors, they are designed for the 88-95 TBI trucks but I use them on my 1997 rcsb.
A nice dual 2 1/2" exhaust, or single 2 3/4-3" with a nice Y pipe would yeild a nice improvement over your stock engine.
peace
Pauly