harpo_87

does anybody know what engine was in the 96 chevy express vans?? i might be getting the engine and tranny combo and i was wondering if it was the same as the trucks? that might be helpful! i know its a MPFI 5.7 and an auto so any help would rock!! thanks again!

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

It is the 350 vortec (same as trucks for that year and (for vans) up to 2000). Should be 260hp and 3XX tq.

harpo_87

cool!! thanks alot!! now i just have to get it and a programmer for it and ill be set

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

Well if you want to use it in place of your LO3 you will need to do a bit of work.

harpo_87

yeah that was the plan. why is there something i dont know about these 350's??? cause it sounded like a pretty strait foreward swap to me. the only thing i wasnt really looking foreward to was the fuel pump but otherwise it should be like swapping in any other 350 right?

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

Well the swap is the same (exhaust, mounts, etc) but you will need a vortec specific intake to work with those heads. You will need a TBI adapter plate to mate to whatever intake you choose. You will also need 350 TBI injectors and knock sensor and a lot of chip work. Other than that, everything is the same.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I'm not the most up-to-date guy Vortec-wise, but I was under the impression they were TBI engines.

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

I believe the last year for the LO5 in vans was '95. I could be wrong. Hopefully Fast355 will chime in.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Okay, I wasn't clear.

Do Vortec engines have multi port fuel injection or a throttle body?

todd200

It should have CPI injection.

harpo_87

the engine from what i know is complete. so no swapping of fuel injection is needed and from what ive seen its more of a MPFI setup it has 8 injecters and a TBI looking setup on top. its weird but it puts the power out. im just looking foreward to getting it in and seeing how well it runs since it has almost as much power as an LT-1 and after tuning and headers it will have more!! and thats if i dont cam it before i put t in

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

If I'm reading the Google hits correctly, Central Port Injection has a single injector with 8 nozzles. I didn't see rave reviews of its performance capabilities.

Klortho

You are correct five7, one injector, 8 nozzles on the intake. It's not the best performing thing out there, main reason they dumped it in the full size trucks for the 4.8 V6 in either '98 or 99

Project: 85 2.8 bird

cpi blows. I have it in my 95 Blazer. would rather have tbi instead. hey, wait, that's what the 96+ blazers have

harpo_87

yeah my dad has this engine in his Tahoe, but idk if i could find one cheap enough it might be worth it. heck everyone said that the TBI setups couldn't make power and look at some of the guys making 300-400 with them. we will just have to wait and see

jwscab

The CPI injection on the Vortec V-8's are actually SCPI, sequential central port injection. There is a block of 8 injectors in one, that route to 8 plastic tubes with poppet valves on the ends. The biggest problem is that they are unique, so no injector upgrades are available (sort of). Lintertech makes a replacement injector set that replaces the injector block with 8 small injectors.

The rest of the engine is basic ol' small block chevy, with a plastic timing cover. If you are swapping the whole engine and efi system, you need a good fuel pump, as the base pressure is 58-60psi, and does not work at all below like 56psi.

there are a couple of wacky things with this set-up. first, the poppet valves sometimes stick so you need to get them cleaned. second, the d@mned regulator is inside the manifold.

they have their issues, but run pretty well other wise.

Vortec heads, possibly 4 bolt main, so it has some promising parts if you decide to scrap the efi. Tuncercat also has tuning software now available.