irock88

I friend of mine is offering a 350 engine (needs to be rebuilt but runs good)and tranny (recent rebuild) for free its out of a 3500 GMC van its either a 95,96 or 97. Anyone know any specifics of the year of engines and tranny Im not to familiar as to the motor or tranny as to whether its an LT or LS block and as to what type of tranny it would be.
As well if I was going to install it in my Iroc would I have to make major modifications or would it just drop right in. Any help would be greatly appreciated as if I dont let him know soon it will be scrapped.

Air_Adam

If its a 5.7L its not an LTx or LSx engine, its a Gen 1 small block, but...

Thats an EXCELLENT engine to do a build with if its all rebuildable. If its a '96+ engine, it will have a set of Vortec heads on it, it will have all the roller cam gear in it because they came with a roller cam in them, and if its out of a heavy truck like a 3500, there's a VERY good chance its a 4-bolt block, LT1 powdered metal rods, and a steel crank.

I had one of these that I paid a core charge for, when it was replaced in a '97 3500 when I worked at a shop (I took the engine that came out). It had all of the above in it. I never did use it, but it would have been an excellent starting point for a SBC build.

irock88

Thanks for the input Air_Adam. I dont know what the HP rating was from the factory but if I was to rebuild it I would like to get 375-400 HP any suggestions as to what to install to get to the HP rating would be appreciated.
As for the tranny which was just rebuilt I believe a higher rpm stall would be in order with a shift kit.Any suggestions here would be great.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The transmission will be electronic shift, meaning it needs either a PCM or stand-alone controller to use it in a 3rd gen.

If the van is a '95, you'll need at least different heads to get that much power. You really need to find out what it is. Casting #'s from the block and heads would be a big help.

irock88

It`s definitely a`97 350 out of a 3500 GMC van just found out. I gather this engine has the Vortec heads and I was told (dont know how true it is ) that this motor from the factory was rated at 300HP.
I tried to look it up on the net with no success as to the motor and tranny specs.

ATOMIC

iTrader: (1)

check the head numbers and the valve/valve stem size, usually the 1-ton stuff has smaller
valves with larger stems( heavy duty parts ).
other than that little maybe, its a great choice.

irock88

So am I better off with aftermarket aluminum heads... say Edelbrock

Apeiron

Vortec heads are good for street use as far as stock heads go, but there's better available aftermarket, of course. Edelbrock heads aren't a great value for the money.

ATOMIC

iTrader: (1)

right, even their top of the line heads are entry level, for about the same money, sometimes less you can get some afr or trick flow heads, id use the afr's.