Performance 350 Pre-Vortec Rebuild?

[gtj]

Dear Group,

 

I have a 1995 Chev Suburban 4X4 @ 225K with the 350ci V8. The transmission is due for a rebuild and I was thinking of doing the engine at the same time along with some performance modifications, such as cam, intake, headers, exhaust, custom tune.

 

This is the pre-Vortec engine and non-electronic tranny. I presently have a TCI shift kit installed in the tranny. Powertrax locker in rear diff.

 

Is it reasonable to expect good results on money spent or would it be better to trade in my ol' workhorse for a newer model before comtemplating these modifications? Would a crate engine such as offered from GM parts or Edlebrock be a prefferred alternative?

 

I have kept the rest of the truck in good condition. Used as an every day driver, several loaded longer trips a year (5K), and going through trails and bush year round to/from lake for kayaking and mountain biking. Sees a fair bit of winter snow driving.

 

Appreciate any input.

Thanks,

Glenn

[snoman]

Dear Group,

 

I have a 1995 Chev Suburban 4X4 @ 225K with the 350ci V8. The transmission is due for a rebuild and I was thinking of doing the engine at the same time along with some performance modifications, such as cam, intake, headers, exhaust, custom tune.

 

This is the pre-Vortec engine and non-electronic tranny. I presently have a TCI shift kit installed in the tranny. Powertrax locker in rear diff.

 

Is it reasonable to expect good results on money spent or would it be better to trade in my ol' workhorse for a newer model before comtemplating these modifications? Would a crate engine such as offered from GM parts or Edlebrock be a prefferred alternative?

 

I have kept the rest of the truck in good condition. Used as an every day driver, several loaded longer trips a year (5K), and going through trails and bush year round to/from lake for kayaking and mountain biking. Sees a fair bit of winter snow driving.

 

Appreciate any input.

Thanks,

Glenn

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

THere is nothing wrong with a 350 TBI with a little cam work and a better intake and maybe a over sized TBI unit to. Edlebrock makes one for it that is designed 87 thru 95 TBI engines. Be carefull with with header and dual exhausts be cause it can hurt low speed torque if not done and tuned (the exhaust system) correctly.

[mudbug660]

you can even convert it to be a vortec 350 without spending alot of money.

[Mule]

I have a 1995 Yukon with the same engine. Banks headers, exhaust, and intake really woke it up. It runs very strong at 110K miles. So yes, some goodies will help.

 

As always, it's all about money. You could rebuild what you have, get a crate motor, or get a custom motor. A quality rebuild with a few goodies may be what you are after, when balancing price and return on investment.

[gtj]

you can even convert it to be a vortec 350 without spending alot of money.

 

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Hi Mudbug,

 

Where would I begin a search for the conversion to the Vortec?

 

Thanks,

Glenn

[gtj]

I have a 1995 Yukon with the same engine.  Banks headers, exhaust, and intake really woke it up.  It runs very strong at 110K miles.  So yes, some goodies will help.

 

As always, it's all about money.  You could rebuild what you have, get a crate motor, or get a custom motor.  A quality rebuild with a few goodies may be what you are after, when balancing price and return on investment.

 

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Hi Mule,

 

Wow! That's a long list of mods for your truck! Very impressive! Would like seeing a pic of your truck. I looked at two links, but they were showing no image available.

 

Did your vehicle come with the 4L6OE transmission or was that a conversion?

 

Thanks,

Glenn

[gtj]

 

 

THere is nothing wrong with a 350 TBI with a little cam work and a better intake and maybe a over sized TBI unit to. Edlebrock makes one for it that is designed 87 thru 95 TBI engines. Be carefull with with header and dual exhausts be cause it can hurt low speed torque if not done and tuned (the exhaust system) correctly.

 

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Thanks Snoman,

 

I'll check out the Edlebrock site. Thanks for the warning regarding the exhaust.

 

Glenn

[mudbug660]

gmpartsdepot.com has the intake maniflod that will fit a tbi and the vortec cylinder heads.

[snoman]

gmpartsdepot.com has the intake maniflod that will fit a tbi and the vortec cylinder heads.

 

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Yes but the TBI one is factory OEM unit and not worth the purchase as it is "stock". You want the Eldebrock one for a TBI engine.

[zippy]

i've helped 2 guys do this swap so far. the most important thing in making this work is getting the chip right when you're done. the stock chip just kills the power. it's way too lean and the timing curve is way off due to the faster burning combustion chamber in the vortec head.

[Friz]

Take a hard look at crate engine vs rebuild. Depending on the going rate for machine work in your area, it may be cheaper to buy a new long block, then put your goodies on it.

Around here, it's not worth the money to do stock rebuilds. Crate engines are actually a little cheaper than a complete teardown and rebuild.

[snoman]

Take a hard look at crate engine vs rebuild. Depending on the going rate for machine work in your area, it may be cheaper to buy a new long block, then put your goodies on it.

Around here, it's not worth the money to do stock rebuilds. Crate engines are actually a little cheaper than a complete teardown and rebuild.

 

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Maybe if you farm out the rebuild completely but not if you do the work yourself except for the machining. I can rebuild one myself cheaper and better than a crate motor as long as you have a good block/motor to start with. (one that has not been blown and damaged)

[mcreyaufmiller]

Good point, about the two. If you check with painless wiring, they have conversion kits used to install TBI in pre model trucks/cars. I saw one kit used on a early car on the show Horsepower TV, or Trucks TV. you can check their web site, they normally have everything listed there.

[Mule]

I have a 1995 Yukon with the same engine.  Banks headers, exhaust, and intake really woke it up.  It runs very strong at 110K miles.  So yes, some goodies will help.

 

As always, it's all about money.  You could rebuild what you have, get a crate motor, or get a custom motor.  A quality rebuild with a few goodies may be what you are after, when balancing price and return on investment.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Hi Mule,

 

Wow! That's a long list of mods for your truck! Very impressive! Would like seeing a pic of your truck. I looked at two links, but they were showing no image available.

 

Did your vehicle come with the 4L6OE transmission or was that a conversion?

 

Thanks,

Glenn

 

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Glenn,

The transmission is what came with it. The website that hosted my pictures went down, so I don't have any right now. It is white.