Right now I have a 90 Camaro, it has a 305 TPI in it from an 88 Camaro. I just picked up a Vortec 350 from a 99 Chevy 3500 van. The casting on the heads is 10239906, the casting on the block is 880. I want to retain my TPI and use this engine. Besides the Intake manifold (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-3817) do I need anything else? Can someone get me some details about this engine such as specs and power numbers? Would I be able to use this. Id like some info so just throw stuff at me. I appreciate it

 

You will need to do an external coolant bypass as the vortec blocks do not have one. Everything else should basically be a direct bolt on other then the intake which you already stated.

 

So the engine came from a 1999 Chevy 3500 Express van, comes stock with 255 horsepower, Im thinking about running a stock 350 lt1 cam and a stealth ram with my throttle body, maybe a torque converter from a stock S10. Would this be a good idea? and would it work? Can i use the same springs that are on the heads? And what are some ballpark numbers with this set up

 

Is only another SBC physically identical to your 305
You reuse all your existing TPI stuff but need a 350 tune on the memcal ( chip ) in the computer and 350 MAP knock sensor
Depending what your future plans are for the engine you may want to swap the truck cam for something better.
TPI is always going to be a restriction , the HSR intake complete is not much more than the Vortec TPI base alone and gives alot more potential
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/alte...gal-whats.html

 

I doubt the LT1 cam would be worth the trouble. Most only use it as a cheapy upgrade on a stock 305

Might want to consider copying the GMPP 350HO engine.
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Chev...ckV8s/330.html
Is based on the Vortec and makes 330Hp with a carb and a flat tappet cam
Look for a roller cam with similar specs
http://www.summitracing.com/search?k...24502476&dds=1


Motor is used , worthwhile changing the springs before you drop it in.
Vortec heads stock are restricted to .480 lift and need machine work to run higher lift
But if you fit these springs you can run up to .550; more than enough for any cam you will need
http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spri...rf-hyd-roller/

Read
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ortec-lt4.html

 

Lets say I want to keep the heads stock, switch in factory spec springs and use the same studs and all that, Get the heads cleaned put the factory springs in and new valve seals. What would be the right specs for a cam like that, that will work with my computer and everything. Can i go bigger than an lt1 cam on a stock Vortec 350

 

If you were going to "switch in factory spec springs " why wouldn't you fit ones that give you more lift ?

Sure but without the mods you are limited to only .480 lift
Stock Vortec heads have limited lift capability because of the guide design.
Read
http://www.2quicknovas.com/vortecheads.html
The spring swap overcomes that without the cost of having the heads machined

 

What is the best cam I could do without needing a tune and without doing too much to the stock heads

 

After some research I was able to confirm in my mind that the stock Vortec cam is the same as a Caprice LT1 cam. This is actually one small step below the Firebird and Camaro LT1 cams. To up HP from the stock vortec you need more than just a Firebird LT1 cam to notice much difference.
This should help with a starting point for an upgrade with the spring limitations in mind.
When I get back to working a better than minimum wage job again (anything is better than nothing) I will be doing this swap in my Bird. I am considering something along the lines of the LT4 Hotcam but possibly aftermarket though.

 

http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild...ckage_install/

The hot cam needs 1.6 rockers to get it's adv lift so you would instead buy a cam with specs that gives a similar lift at the valve with 1.5 rockers

 

I've been going back in forth between this, which is pretty cheap or just going ape poop and start saving for an LS1.

My question would be, how much power can you really get out of this engine without doing anything to radical to it(Turbo,supercharger....) Could we make 400hp with this badboy?

 

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...cam_355_build/
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...e_roller_cams/
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...k_chevy_build/

 

With the right mods you could get 500hp out of that badboy NA.