Hi everyone,

I am offered a 350 out of 1990 Chevy Silverado. The problem is that I can not find any information on this engine. I know it is tbi motor and some websites state that it was rated at 210 hp. I was wondering if any of you know if it is a good motor (I was told it is a 4 bolt main), and if the horsepower numbers could be improved. I have performer RPM intake manifold + edelbrock 600 cfm carb, msd distributer, flowtech heders and magnaflow exhaust that would go on this motor. It will be going into 1989 camaro rs. I do not want to rebuild the engine because of the time issues but i would like to push more juice out of it. So let me know your opinions on this engine if it is a decent motor that I can run in my car and what kind of power gains im looking at with the set up i have.

Thanks.

 

Well, we really can't tell you much unless you can get the casting number. That will give us a good idea where to start. As for not rebuilding it, that's up to you to decide based on how the engine is now. Does it run clean? Are there any problems with it that the current owner isn't telling you, stuff like that.

As for putting more juice out of it, what you've already mentioned will get you quite a bit of more HP out of the motor. I would also recommend having the heads polished/ported. Is your car currently carbed or is it fuel injected? Is it a V8 or V6 (sorry, not really familiar with the Camaro lineup to know that off the top of my head)? If it's not a V8 already there are some other things that go into the swap.

 

It's an LO5. Basically a truck 350 version of the TBI 305 LO3 in 3rd gens. Except it will have a flat tappet cam.

As with the LO3, the basic handicap is the heads - great for what the factory did, pretty much a waste of time if you want to improve it.

The carb and headers you mentioned are in league with the heads.

It can be a sound engine. The heads & cam have to go to get much out of it.

 

Thanks for the response, I should he given more info at first. I already had 2 engine swaps in my car. Went from 2.8 v6 to 305 v8. All aftermarket parts were purchased and set up on the 305. A while ago I starting craving for more power so I got L98 and rebuilt it, but because of the money issue I did not bore the cylinders, so it smokes pretty bad now. So I ended up driving my dads car until I get my car up and running well again. Basically the car is ready for 350 set up.
Now, about the 350 from Silverado: It has about 80,000 miles on it, and the truck is my dads. We have to get rid of some cars and since the trucks body is in really bad condition we cant sell it for much so we just going to part it out and scrap it. I know engine runs well and even though truck sat for 5 years it started right up. Unfortunately, I am 2 hours away from home so this weekend I’m going to get the casting number to do some research.

 

If it's the original engine, you don't need the casting #'s. It's an LO5 with swirlport heads.

As long as you're sure it's a 350, that is.