My dad just got me a vortec 350. Its at the machine shop getting matienced.. pressure checked and everything. He said the motor is a 1990. Anyone have suggestions on what to do or what value of a motor i have on my hands. His buddy is getten heads for me. they all race so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I dont kno a lot about motors yet but kno enough that this v6 i have now is going to get me no where but from home to the store...Im thinken it will be easy to do carb? take into concideration im 16..im not affraid of hp. i want to take it to the track and atleast run 12's that will be very awsome.. or maybe a low to mid 13 help me out guys thanks!!

 

If it's a 1990 engine, it won't be a Vortec. Vortec came along in 96.

First 2 things to consider: emissions and budget.

Once those are addressed, you can begin to plan a build up.

 

hm then maybe he said 1990 for sumtin else i dunno i'll see.. im getten most of the stuff for cheap or free.. i want to run them numbers.. hows this vortec 350?

 

If you're not getting heads, the name "vortec" means very little. All Vortec means is "raised runners and special intake bolt pattern." Other than that, its a block with some parts. Nothing "vortec-y-magical" about it.

Like I said, define a budget first and do you have to be emissions compliant? If yes to emissions, do they do under hood OE checks?

 

no alls they do is sick a sensor in ur exhaust...thats all for emmisions

 

Easy way to check if it has vortec heads is to count the manifold bolt holes (4= vortec, 6=non vortec) of the heads and look for the lack of EGR passage in the center of the head.

Alot of people confuse centerbolt heads with vortec heads because they dont directly fit older SBC designs use caution before buying. Edit: Although they bolt on the same a couple manifold holes need to be elongated and centerbolt valve covers or adaptors must be used.

Nothing special about a vortec short block that would make any more power over a pre vortec shortblock. If your upgrading from a worn out 350 or 305 this engine will be a nice compliment to your ride.

 

Thats a good one Steky!!!

What are the casting numbers of the block and the heads? That will tell you what you really have.

 

Not enturely understanding this (the wording isn't jiving with my brain properly, I guess), but standard gen. I SBC intakes don't fit the Vortec intake runners (raised runners).

 

That would be if someone mistaken standard (center bolt) heads for vortec heads. Ive seen people mistake 87+ heads for vortec heads more then once. Once someone said they had a carbed intake for vortec heads and would sell it for $25. I ran down to find it was a carbed intake from an 87 elcamino.

 

yeah im gunna go check out the motor when it comes out of the matience shop.. and im not going from a worned 350 or 305.. its going from a freakin 2.8 v6!! lol it better be a big difference lol.