vortec engine question

NeXuS1 · July 13, 2001

whats makes it a vortec? just heads or? (i kind of feel like i've asked this before but couldnt remember.)

July 15, 2001

Yes, the combustion chamber and valve layout are different.

The first ones that came out were on 305's and 350's and made 50 more hp.

76BBSub · July 15, 2001

Also the ignition system is coil-on-plug, and instead of throttle body or tuned port injection it's sequential fuel injection, one injector per cylinder.

Pretty high-tech stuff!

Jeff

NeXuS1 · July 15, 2001

is there anyway to work the vortec fuel injection on a non-vortec engine? maybe with vortec heads installed?

Pastmaster · July 15, 2001

Vortec is just a name. In 1985 Gm released the 4.3L V6 nicked the Vortec V6. Then in 1987 GM released the TBI 350 with vortec swirl port injectors. Most people know vortec's by the 1996 and newer name.

Frank S · July 15, 2001

Quote: from Pastmaster on 6:09 pm on July 15, 2001
Vortec is just a name. In 1985 Gm released the 4.3L V6 nicked the Vortec V6. Then in 1987 GM released the TBI 350 with vortec swirl port injectors. Most people know vortec's by the 1996 and newer name.

Right.

It's kind of like the MAgnum nameplate used by Dodge.It's actually been around for years and used by several different engines.

In the terms that I think are being asked here,76BBSub is right on with the differences.

76BBSub · July 16, 2001

I don't think you could retrofit the Vortec induction system to an older engine. The main reason is that there are differences in the blocks, which in itself may not be a huge problem, but '96 (first year for Vortec as we know it) was the first year for OBDII engine control systems, which have a lot more sensors and inter-relationships between the components. You'd have to retrofit the ignition, transmission, all the pertinent sensors, etc.

What I'm saying is that it's not a true bolt-on and go swap, and may not be possible due to block differences.

Jeff

Kansas Kid · July 16, 2001

If trying to go from a TBI 350 to a Vortec 350, they injection system could be swaped. There are no difference in the block between these two motors, but from the 5.7 to a 5.3 is a different story. To do the swap from a TBI 350 to a Vortec 5.7 you would need the cylinder heads, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, all components of the fuel system, sensors, wiring, and computer from the Vortec motor.

It would probably be much easier to my either a Vortec head to TBI manifold (which is no avaliable) or a new fuel injection system from Edelbrock or Holley.

Pastmaster · July 17, 2001

Not to mention the power gains with aftermarket. I'd rather have some twisted Wedge heads. Sme of they'res has a 75hp gain over stock with just heads. The entire vortec setup only has 55more.

sweet94 · July 25, 2001

This is just the swap I've been looking into for a while. The vortec long block with TBI set up is probably good for about 40hp. With the Edelbrock FI system, the engine is supposed to get 265hp. That's a 65hp increase over the standard 200hp TBI motor. The best price I've found for the vortec long block is about ?.00 (new) Now I see that I can get the new 383 truck motor (320hp/415ft.lbs tq.) for about ?.00 What's a guy to do? I've emailed two dealers that do alot of these and other GM performance stuff to see if the 383 is a direct bolt in with no reply from either. I'm assuming because this engine utilizes the vortec heads that it should just bolt in, but you never know. Anybody else know?

Chris

Charles · July 26, 2001

Get the 383. It should bolt right in. The 383 is just a stroked 350. Do you know if they use the 5.7" rods?

sweet94 · July 29, 2001

Charles, I'm not sure about the rods. Last nite I was out on Woodward Ave talking to a guy with a BEAITIFUL 68 Camaro that had a 383 in it. (not the GM crate motor). He liked it but warned me to get extra heavy duty cooling if I go with 383 in my truck. He said that he was told any stroker motor tends to run hot. Anybody else heard this?

Chris

76BBSub · July 30, 2001

Shouldn't matter...a 383 is the same block as a 350, therefore same water passages...it should cool roughly the same as a .030" over 350, because that's what it is. Now, if you are making a bunch of HP, whether with a 350 or 383, you need a better cooling system, that's true. My '74 350 puts out about 350 HP and is fine with a new stock radiator and new stock-style clutch-operated fan. I did upgrade to a Stewart Stage II aluminum water pump, but that's just cause the stock one that I had rebuilt started making noise and leaking after a mere 1500 miles. If your cooling system is weak a higher HP engine will quickly expose it's flaws.

Now, if you build a 400 small block, or a stroker based on a 400, you may need a pretty stout cooling system. The 400 has the center two cylinders on each bank simesed, so there is no coolant flow between them. They are notorious for running hot in higher HP applications. Time for the aluminum radiator....

Jeff

sweet94 · July 30, 2001

Thanks for the FYI Jeff. Isn't the 383 a stroked (longer stroke) 350 with stock size bore. Or is it .030 over and longer stroke? I'm just askin' because I'm really thinkin' that this the route that I want to go. My plan is to use the stock TBI set up (with the GM conversion intake) to get up and running and then later as time and $$ allow, get into some of the engines real potential with another FI set-up and exhaust.

My goal is to get this truck into the 14 sec. or better 1/4 mile range with the stroker motor and rear axle (3.42 limited slip) that's in it. I think I might be close because the truck is light and ridgid. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Chris

Kansas Kid · July 31, 2001

That Vortec 383 looks like a pretty cool motor doesn't it sweet94? Price isn't that bad either for the power it is making. Since I'm not going to be getting a new truck any time soon, and if I don't get a race car, I may be swapping my TBI 350 for that motor, and keep the stock injection system like you mentioned. I'm just afraid it is going to tear my 700R4 to shreads if I use the motor hard. :biggrin: