88Trans-am

Hello, i"m new to THO, im swapping my tired 305 from my 88 GTA to a 350 vortec that i grabbed from a 96 chev van. the block is mint,paid $200 and you can still see the factory honing marks. ive got a comp cam extreme energy roller cam for it. 269/276 duration and .495/503 lift. Im also putting in beehive springs to accomodate for the higher than stock lift. I am taking the TPI setup and putting it on this block. however the Manifold base plate is going to cost around $600 would it be better and cheaper to find an LT-1 intake and wiring or should i stick with the TPI setup. Also running 26 lb injectors and full exhaust with single cat. so far this has cost more than i'd hoped for as a "budget build" if anyone has some good pointers It would be really appreciated. i"ve look at a ton of threads but can find anything on the set-up i'm looking for.
700-R4 stage 2 shift kit
3.27 posi 10 bolt rear end
thanks

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Rather than keep the restrictive TPI with the expensive Vortec base, consider the Holley/Weiand Stealth Ram http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WND-7542/ . It's not going to cost you as much as base & runners, and will have more power potential.

Personally, I think modifying an LT1 intake for Gen I use is a crap shoot at best. If you can do the machine work yourself, perhaps; but it isn't a "typical" machine shop task.

88Trans-am

Thanks for the welcome. That is exactly what i was looking for. The only thing is going about the fuel rail, i'm trying to budget this build. so far i've got $1100 just into the cam and heads. That roller cam was by all means not cheap. this car is my daily driver in the summer months, so this is a better choice then? and all of my factory wiring will be compatible with proper tuning?
thanks

88Trans-am

Also, what is the big difference of the vortec heads. one has a hardend exhaust seat and the other doesnt. The only thing i can see that a big deal would be would be for porting of the head? am I right or wrong. I have the heads with the hardend seat, and i'm not planning on doing any porting work. this engine is just to get my by until i can afford either a 383 or LSX.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

As far as I know there are two castings of the Vortec heads. 062 and 906. The latter is the one to avoid. I found specific information on this site concerning the matter.

Here is a quote from the article, "These production Vortec heads were used in the new Vortec 350ci engine intended for ½-, ¾-, and 1-ton Chevy pickups. Amazingly, this mundane, production-based 1.94/1.50-inch valve head performed better than the iron Bow Tie head. The deal of century occurred when GM Performance Parts decided to sell these heads as complete units for under $500 per pair, ready to bolt on. For you junkyard hunters, be forewarned that some ¾- and 1-ton trucks came with Vortec heads equipped with a specially hardened exhaust seat that kills low- and mid-lift flow. Casting number 10239906 should be avoided."

I've got a junkyard 350 that is basically a Vortec crate engine that is designed as a replacement engine for trucks. The block is from 1999 and has 4-bolt mains. It's actually a damn good block to work with for my goals and my needs but it came with the 906 casting of the Vortec heads.

88Trans-am

I read that same quote yesterday. also i have those heads. I paid $200 bucks for my block and heads and everything is mint.replacing every component in the heads mind you, but i see no reason why those "906" heads are not capable of producing 400HP. I think that they state that for race only applications. If iI am wrong, could someone let me know.
Thanks

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

I've heard a few different things about them. I've heard on one hand that all Vortec heads are basically the same, and I read what was in that article. I've heard other people back it up on various forums, but they might just be saying that because they read the same article. I honestly don't know if those heads can be improved with machine work or what.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

There is nothing wrong with 906 castings and nothing better about 062 castings. Everyone quotes the same article, which was later retracted (but nobody quotes the retraction because it was only in the print version, never made it to the internet).

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

Interesting. If the 906 castings are fine then I'd love to just get those worked on because I've got a set of them on the floor of my garage.

88Trans-am

Does anyone know if my 305 PROM will be enough for my trans am to run with the 350 vortec and big cam just to get me about 30 kms to the nearest tuning shop?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

What's the LSA on the cam? If at least 112, you shouldn't have a problem.

88Trans-am

it is exactly 112 LSA, how long would you recommend running it without a chip. you seem to be pretty knowledgeable about these cars.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I have more of a memory than knowing a lot about these cars.

You can run it without changing the chip until you want it to run better.

88Trans-am

Ok, So with the cam I bought it's specs are rated from idle - 5500 RPM, that weiand steath ram is rated for idle -6500 RPM So conisdering the difference is of 100 RPMs will the cam I have be ok or not? I dont want to blow this thing up on my first day at the track.