California 5.7 TBI build

[elwaupo]

Hi guys, been awhile since I've been on this site but I want to build a 5.7 for my 95 K1500. It has a 4.3 in it now that runs good, but it's a 4.3, not much in the hp dept. for towing. Living in CA I have to be consious of our pescky smog laws here as we have to have out trucks smog tested every 2 years. I hear a lot of good things about the Vortec heads but also that they are hard get the computer to work with them. Which cam would be the best choice? I already have the ECM and wiring harness for the 5.7. Any help would be appreciated.

[88blackchevy]

Vortec heads will not pass a California smog test unless you use the gmpp intake and your smog tech is
Extremely Naive

[ragmc]

Vortec heads will not pass a California smog test unless you use the gmpp intake and your smog tech is
Extremely Naive

Even then good luck

[elwaupo]

Vortec heads will not pass a California smog test unless you use the gmpp intake and your smog tech is
Extremely Naive

I'm aware of the Votec head issue, too bad. I'm talking about a 350 that puts out more then the 190 HP that come stock and be able to pass a smog check.

[slim h]

build the 5.7 how ever u want and just swap the 4.3 back in every 2 years and win lol

[elwaupo]

build the 5.7 how ever u want and just swap the 4.3 back in every 2 years and win lol

lol

[elwaupo]

Then how about this, can I buy a long block 350, use a recommended cam and go with after market non Vortec aluminum heads to break the 190hp barrier and still get passed the CA smog test? The 4.3 is still running good so I have plenty of time.

[jim_in_dorris]

Sure, here is a link to the only aftermarket aluminum heads I have found with a california smog EO

http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...0006-M64&dds=1

If you can afford the price, these are the best heads you can buy. They will shatter your 190 HP barrier. Coupled with a good cam and a really good tune, and you should make around 300 ~ 350 at the crank.

[elwaupo]

I have a chance to pick up a 2 bolt main 5.7 with all of the accessories out of a 91 suburban for $400. Is this the same motor that came stock for the 95s? Would a 4 bolt main be worth getting? I've been thinking of just building a 350 instead of buying a crate 190 hp 350.

[Doober]

I would go with a set of aftermarket iron heads that fit with your current intake, get an EBL (if you have an automatic trans you will have to run the EBL separate from the original ECM so the original ECM can control the trans), and a mild cam, say in the 215º @ .050" range on 110º LSA. That should get you at least to 300hp, possibly 330+, and unless they go picking through your dash to see if the ECM is stock they won't be any wiser to the fact. You would also need a different pump and adjustable fuel pressure regulator to support the extra HP... bolt-on adjustable units and drop-in pumps are available as well. My 383 with Vortec heads, Comp Xtreme Energy roller cam, 454 throttle body GMPP intake, and headers passed the sniffer here in Tucson with flying colors.

[elwaupo]

I would go with a set of aftermarket iron heads that fit with your current intake, get an EBL (if you have an automatic trans you will have to run the EBL separate from the original ECM so the original ECM can control the trans), and a mild cam, say in the 215º @ .050" range on 110º LSA. That should get you at least to 300hp, possibly 330+, and unless they go picking through your dash to see if the ECM is stock they won't be any wiser to the fact. You would also need a different pump and adjustable fuel pressure regulator to support the extra HP... bolt-on adjustable units and drop-in pumps are available as well. My 383 with Vortec heads, Comp Xtreme Energy roller cam, 454 throttle body GMPP intake, and headers passed the sniffer here in Tucson with flying colors.

What is an EBL? Remember I have a 95 OB1 truck and the Votec heads aren't supposed to work in CA trucks.

[Doober]

My truck is just an example. You can get aftermarket heads that will flow as well as Vortecs and work with your current intake. The EBL is a serial-tunable ECM, it uses a stock computer but the daughterboard inside is replaced. Afterward you can tune for just about anything, and there are no chips to burn, everything is done by simply reflashing the ECM.
www.dynamicefi.com

[jim_in_dorris]

Just remember that in order to work, and pass all your smog, every smog device must fit and work. I am going through a california smog build right now, and I am going with stock heads and porting to get around california rules. Unless they actually disassemble the engine, it will pass all visual tests. Passing the sniffer will require a good tune, but I can do that. I just wish that Thorley Tri-Y's weren't so expensive, they have a Calif. EO. A good 2bolt main is fine until you get close to exceeding 500 hp. The 91 and 95 engines are really close. They may have slightly different smog equipment, but you can just bolt on your newer stuff. I have been able to find 3 aftermarket manufacturers that make a california EO labeled head. AFR, Trick Flow, and World Products. The World Products Torquer S/R heads barely flow better than stock, so not really a gain. The AFR and Trick Flow are too expensive for my budget. I am porting the heads myself, but not a full race port, just cleaning them up and gasket matching.

[cancritter]

195 trickflow heads...belive thier spec'd to pass emmissions in ca....remember seeing something along those lines when l bought mine...came with stickers ect...above all else do your research...hate to see dot give ya grief

[jim_in_dorris]

I like the 175 CC heads until I look at the price.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/D...t/?Ns=Rank|Asc

$1200 / head

[Sparkee]

I think that you are looking for the setup I built for one of my old trucks. I picked up a 5.7L long block from a 92 Camaro with TPI. I got the heads ported, higher ratio Comp rocker arms, ported stock TBI intake manifold, Holley 670 cfm TBI with mild port/polish, K&N filter with some air cleaner mods. I worked with a buddy on a custom chip for it. I kept the stock roller cam, but you could upgrade for more Hp. I ran Flowtech Afterburner headers and Y-pipe with a Dynomax cat-back. I dropped this engine into my '90 RCSB K1500 and it was a blast to drive, would roast the 265 tires from a stop and would knock down 17-18 MPG on the highway. From the outside it looked like any old truck 350 TBI engine and other than the cat delete, I'm sure would pass a smog test. I really miss that truck, I'm looking at doing something similar on my '95 Suburban.

[Doober]

That price is for the pair.

[jim_in_dorris]

That price is for the pair.

My Bad.... You are correct sir. Still out of my price range, but only by a little. HMMMMMM!

[Doober]

There are others out there... a month or two ago they did a lineup of 8 different SBC heads, all under $1000 for the pair.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...t/viewall.html

[jim_in_dorris]

I kind of like the Dart SHP 180's with the 64 cc chambers. Only a little more than World heads, and aluminum as well as better flow numbers. Now If I can figure out if they will work with my smog and intake. The Summit house brand heads are Gen 2 Twisted Wedge Trick flows, which look really nice on DD, but have a bad reputation for guide wear.