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View Full Version : Tbi to vortec swap or upgrade tbi motor? Need advice....



fish4hc
10-08-2011, 02:05 PM
Well, its finally time for my motor swap. My old 5.7 tbi has had it(rod knock) and its time for a new motor. I have a 1995 k1500. It just sucks living in California as our smog laws suck. Otherwise I would swap in a 6.0.

Im thinking about the vortec L31 swap but have some concerns. I want to buy the 4bolt L31 crate motor from Jegs. Here is what my list consist of:

L31 Vortec 5.7 crate
gmpp tbi to vortec intake
bored tb with ultimate tbi mods
up fuel pressure
pod and tb spacer
corvette servos
tbi custom chip

Already have exhaust and gears done.

My concerns are with smog. Obviously im trying to get more power but want to still pass smog. Power is a must so I can lug around my 38 mud tires. The only thing that concerns me with this swap is the egr thing. I just dont know how if any issues I will have with the egr plumbed externally and not in the same place as the original. Most of the smog shops I have been to around here probably wouldnt even notice it though but what if.

The other option I guess would be to just get a exact tbi replacement motor and try and get as much power as I can but it seems so hard with those heads. Has anyone built a smog legal 5.7 tbi motor that has balls? If so details please.

I have studied the crap out of hundred of threads on these subjects but cant seem to find anyone from Cali with their input or exact builds.


What to do. Any advice and input would be so much appreciated.

fish4hc
10-11-2011, 01:35 PM
Anyone???

Basically all I need to know is if the swap to a l31 with tbi on it is worth it? Im only worried about the change in location of the egr and if I could fail inspections for this.

Or should I do a complete swap to vortec. How hard is that? What fuel sytem upgrades?

Anyone in Cali with a swap???

Quyonmob
10-11-2011, 01:40 PM
Get the Vortec to carb intake instead and run a carb to TBI adapter/spacer. Vortec to carb intakes are way cheaper than the GMPP vortec to TBI intake.

fish4hc
10-11-2011, 03:11 PM
I need my egr though.Im in Cali and we have tuff smog laws. I heard the only intake for tbi to vortec with egr is the gmpp intake but it relocates the egr to the front.

grayblazer
10-13-2011, 09:55 AM
Anyone???

Basically all I need to know is if the swap to a l31 with tbi on it is worth it? Im only worried about the change in location of the egr and if I could fail inspections for this.

Or should I do a complete swap to vortec. How hard is that? What fuel sytem upgrades?

Anyone in Cali with a swap???
A guy at work did the same basic thing a few years ago, except he did not modifications to the fuel system. Just replaced the original TBI engine with a crate Vortec long block. It ran a LOT stronger than the original engine, and I'm sure with some TBI work it would have ran even better.

fish4hc
10-13-2011, 08:11 PM
Yeah, I think im just going that route.

so here is my official plan:

L31 long block crate
gmpp intake
46mm TB with ult. mods
up fuel pressure
fuel pump
tb and pod spacer
Custom chip from tbichips.com
corvette servo
ss shorty headers
swap my 40 series to super 10 flows
*Once again, im already geared to 4.88s so gearing is fine

myzterray
11-05-2011, 09:02 AM
you can swap a 5.3 or 6.0 and still make it smog legal