contemplating 5.3 vortec swap ???

[peebles24]

I have a tired 91 c1500 with 170,000 on the TBI 350. I was considering dropping in a 5.3L vortec at a cost of what about 2,000 maybe more. Yes it would reap huge rewards in power (315) and fuel economy should go from 12 average up to 17 or 18 average. Could I get the same benefits from a re-ring, cam, edelbrock aluminum heads and intake, and a 454 throttle body with a good tune. The price would be about the same but rebuilding the stock setup would be easier I think, or at least more enjoyable. Give me your honest opinions with out a huge fight between the TBI guys and the LS guys, I am not partial either way I just want a ton more power and better fuel economy.

Thank you
Chad

[richmond2000]

I would put a vote for rebuild stock as the cash levels your talking (assuming you do the work) you can build what you want out of a 350 IMHO

[myzterray]

I have a tired 91 c1500 with 170,000 on the TBI 350. I was considering dropping in a 5.3L vortec at a cost of what about 2,000 maybe more. Yes it would reap huge rewards in power (315) and fuel economy should go from 12 average up to 17 or 18 average. Could I get the same benefits from a re-ring, cam, edelbrock aluminum heads and intake, and a 454 throttle body with a good tune. The price would be about the same but rebuilding the stock setup would be easier I think, or at least more enjoyable. Give me your honest opinions with out a huge fight between the TBI guys and the LS guys, I am not partial either way I just want a ton more power and better fuel economy.

Thank you
Chad

no point in rebuilding that tbi. i would definitely do the 5.3 swap. with the rebuilt motor you will probably get around the same power but your mileage will suck. also the room for upgrades on the 5.3 is far greater. alot more dependable as well. the swap is not as difficult as most people think. im doing mine on my 96 2 door tahoe

[Slammed96]

+1 on the 5.3 swap. Way more options for your money.

[SimpleGreen]

I vote for a 5.3L swap. Affordable, easy, and gets you up to date. I have had my step side since I was 15 (almost 23 now) and I have never loved it more than after I sold my cammed and carb'd 355 and LS swapped it last fall. Runs great, performs great, easy to work on, easy to diagnose, and still gets 17MPG average with me driving like Dale Earnhardt.

[scarybowtie]

5.3 swap. The tbi will not get the mileage a 5.3 will, especially once you get a tbi 350 to the power level of an ls engine. (not the easiest to do anyway). I have owned several gmt400's and nbs trucks and I swapped a 6.0 into my 95 and have never been happier

[InMoSpo]

LS Swap. They are not that hard to do, I've done 2 in OBS trucks so far. I did a 93 Sierra 2WD, and a 94 Z71. I made my own mount adapters, and did the wiring myself. If you don't go hog wild on headers and perf stuff, the swap can be done for relatively little money. I did my first one for under $1k+the cost of the engine. You wont get a TBI motor to 300+ HP and 330+ #-ft for that kind of money.

[91chevZ71]

2WD OBS LS swap? hell ya, and twice on Sunday. Your swap will be simple compared to mine...

[El M6]

Go with the 5.3ls i am finishing mine up i have a 94gmc sierra 5speed check my thread out, i did mine in a week simpleGreen is the pro.

[C1500/1991]

I to am putting together an ls swap in my 1991 rcsb.Got lots of info from this site.I have already done the rebuild with heads and a cam and a chip.Lots of power and tourque but 13 mpg and problems with idle.I found a 2001 C1500 5.3/4l60E for $1000 .complete wrecked truck.Quoted $600 labor to r and r.found wiring harness from chevythunder.com for less than $500with they're computer.Can't wait to get it done.