Vortec engine out of a surburban

[christopher jones]

my mechanic is putting a engine that came out of a 1994 suburban. He installed a vortec engine in a 1984 c10 . He swears they are great engines. I just want the groups opinion on this engine swap. Let me know your feedback.

 

[bucket]

If it's a '94, it's a TBI engine. It's a regular ol reliable small block.

 

[Doppleganger]

I have a 97 5.7 Vortec at a machine shop now. The cost of the whole motor was a fraction of what just the kit to convert to a roller cam is.

Just bolting the vortec heads on anything older is a huge step up.

 

[75gmck25]

You might need a different mechanic, since the Vortec 350 (SBC 350 roller with Vortec heads) was not offered in 1994. I believe GM confused everything by having some V6 and V8 engines with the word Vortec on the valve covers before they actually started using Vortec heads.

Vortec heads alone are about 30+ horsepower better than the old TBI heads, and with the right cam they will work even better. Vortec 350's also have a roller cam and one piece rear seal. They require a Vortec-specific intake, since the intake bolt pattern is different. Many do not have provisions for a mechanical fuel pump since they were used with EFI. Stock Vortec heads have limitations on cam valve lift, but can be easily modified by machining or using special springs to handle a higher lift cam.

Bruce

 

[christopher jones]

I might have the wrong information, I know it’s a surburban, I might have the year wrong. I am gonna check now

 

[christopher jones]

It is a 1992 suburban

 

[Arkansas_V8]

TBI- reliable, with no real power potential because the heads suck. It is not a Vortec engine.

 

[eskimomann209]

It is a 1992 suburban

Definitely a TBI. Those heads are junk.

 

[christopher jones]

Just want something reliable

 

[eskimomann209]

Just want something reliable

It fits that bill they are pretty reliable.

 

[RecklessWOT]

My 87 burb has a TBI. Super reliable, but about the only thing that engine has going for it. Not a powerhouse by any means but the (sad excuse for) EFI is handy to have, my truck starts right up every time whether it's 20 below zero in the winter or 105 degrees out in the summer.

 

[Frankenchevy]

And extreme elevation changes are less detrimental to performance. Also extreme angles, climbing hills, etc.

 

[christopher jones]

He is staying with my carburetor setup

 

[RecklessWOT]

He is staying with my carburetor setup

Oh.

Then there is nothing more reliable about that engine than whatever came out of your truck. It's not specifically a bad engine, but if I was going to spend the time and money on an engine swap I sure as hell would pick something better than that one. Unless of course you got like the deal of the century on a super low mileage engine or something along those lines

And someone correct me of I'm wrong, but I believe you'll have to change some of your emissions parts over too

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

So many people think the TBI engines are Vortec engines due to them having center bolt valve covers.