Vortec swap..

[HezelRacing]

...Soon i'll be dropping in a 5.7 vortec engine from a '97 suburban. The engine has roughly 2K on it and to start i'll be using the stock cam. I'll also be using Scoggin Dickeys vortec manifold and basically that will be the only mod (initially) other than headers and FPR. My question is with TPI will i see an improvement over the 97 'burbans mid-200 HP and high-300 TQ #'s ?? I have a feeling torque will go up, but will there be any decrease/increase in horsepower??

Also is there anyone/anywhere that can get me some specs on the cam so i know what im dealing with?

[Pantera61]

Technically the horespower should go up. According to the SDPC200.com news page it is to make more power and torque, however, it has be awhile since I have read anything on the part. Don't hold me to that, but I bet that you will see about the 260-270hp range. I would like to see everyone elses ideas on the matter.

[ May 17, 2002, 14:06: Message edited by: Pantera61 ]

[Rumblin91]

I'm sorry I'm ignorant on Suburban motors..what kind of injection do they come with. I wouldn't think you'd gain much if anything at all with the TPI. You're still using all of your stock stuff right?

[WS6 VERT]

Measured at the cam, its:

Intake: .278
Exhuast: .287

But installed (using 1.5 rockers), the lift is:

Intake: .417
Exhaust: .430

Can't help you with duration though :(
My personal opinion, throw another cam in there while its all out. I used a ZZ4 cam and it worked rather well for me.

[86IROC]

I have to agree with Bernard on the cam, he knows first hand what a bitch it is to do a cam swap with the motor installed in the car. It would behoove you to do a cam now. If anything, I think the HP will stay around the same #'s, but arrive at a lower RPM, and the TQ #'s should improve somewhat. At any rate, it should provide you with a low 14 second car.

A certain carb guy in St. Auggie is going to be getting nervous as the swap nears. tongue.gif

[HezelRacing]

"I think the HP will stay around the same #'s, but arrive at a lower RPM"

That's exactly what i thought, but i have no idea what kinds of intakes are on those things. Anywho, i think im going to go with the ZZ4 cam

BTW Aaron, there was a guy on thirdgen.org with that scoggin' intake,vortec heads and a zz4 cam in a 305 that was running mid 13's. Better watch out chump.

[Rumblin91]

As soon as I get done with a few unfortunate problems I've got a couple things to do that I've had planned for a looooong time. I don't think I'm going to have anything to worry about tongue.gif

[RacerX]

The burb (if its like other GM trucks) should have a TBI intake on it. I know the last vortec V6 I looked at was TBI, and it was in a 98 chevy fullsize truck. I almost purchased a 350 out of a burb but it was a 89 I believe, and I know it was TBI.

[LL6]

I remember having a new 96 2500 series truck at work with the 350 "vortec" engine. It was very strong. I seriously doubt the TPI will be any improvement. Technology made a quantuum leap from our gen TBI to theirs.

[86IROC]

Jason, my buddy has a 99' Burban. The intake is like the one on my S10. It's an aluminum lower, w/ a plastic upper. I'm guessing the runner length is about 11" compared to the 17.5" of the TPI.

ZZ4 cam is a good cam obviously. :D My old ZZ9 is still available. The kid I sold it to got rid of his 95' LT1 & bought a 2000 SS. I sold it to him for $175, and I am sure he will gladly part with it for that.

I think w/ a cam swap, and matched parts....you could break into the 13's on street radials. You and Aaron should be an interesting race when you get your motor swapped and tuned. :cool:

[WS6 VERT]

'95 was the last year for the Throttle body on those engines. The '96 and later had the SCMPFI injection. (Sequential, Central Multiport Fuel Injection).

[LL6]

Originally posted by NOTaGTA:
SCMPFI injection. (Sequential, Central Multiport Fuel Injection).Bet you can't say that 10X quickly. graemlins/roll.gif

[WS6 VERT]

Hezel, I've been down this road before, and I was pretty much in the same dilemma as you. My motor was plucked out of a 1998 suburban.

I originally wanted to use the longblock as it sat except for new rings and bearings. Then I got a ZZ4 cam for it. I decided to use the cam, and the SDPC vortec base.
The problem with that, is the stock Vortec valvesprings will only handle like .460 valve lift max. So to run a larger lift cam, you need to get larger springs and have the head machined to accept the springs. Also, when you run larger/stiffer springs, its a good idea to get screw in studs. The machine work adds up fast.

Now add the cost of machine work, to that honkin $400 intake. A set of good flowing aluminum heads start looking real good at this point...
Of course, that would mean that you will resort back to the stock TPI base, but it can be ported. Thats what I used. I don't you to make your car just like mine, but you should keep your options open :D

[HezelRacing]

Now THAT is a revelation! Holy crap im going to have to do some replanning! I'm going to go run out to the garage and talk to my dad..... redface.gif

[WS6 VERT]

Check this link out if you want to put bigger springs on your Vortec heads at the hiz0us:

http://compcams.com/information/whatsnew/NewsDetails.asp?ListHistoryID=-644070045

Screw in studs are optional, but the more aggressive cam and spring combo, the more likely you are to pull out a pressed in stud :eek:

[HezelRacing]

I can't thank you enough for the info Bernard, it proved to be invaluable.

I'll probably be going with the stock vortec longblock and work around that trying to squeeze out as much power as possible. Maybe even make it a potent little Auto-Xer. 355TQ and 255HP is nothing to laugh at.

[ May 18, 2002, 15:27: Message edited by: HezelRacing ]

[Jeremey]

Jason, why not use the zz3 heads that you have? You wont have to do any machine work, the aftermarket base is cheaper than the vortech base, the heads will support the hp numbers you want, and they will give you a better compression ratio with the stock dished pistons over the vortech heads. I'll even buy your vortec heads from ya! smile.gif

[HezelRacing]

The thing with that though their not my (vortec)heads, my dad will give them to me but if i chose not to use them he won't let me sell them. Plus now im just flat out curious about what that engine is capable of. Im sure it will be better than my current 190 hp 285 tq.And maybe if i want to impress people at the drag strip i'll get my hands on some naawwsss.. ;) Plus this is not the end-all of motors, im young there'll be more :D