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Engine SwapEverything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.
I am finishing up my Vortec 350 build - not sure what the engine came out of, casting date is 1999.
None of my bracketry/v belt pulley stuff from the 305 will work with the Vortec. The reverse flow water pump + bypass is set up for serpentine - so it seems I need to find a serpentine set up.
I have none of the brackets, tensioners or pulleys. Is there a donor car I can look at in the junk yard to find what I need? Does anyone have a list or picture of what I need?
Find a serpentine 305 or 350 car in the junkyard and pull all of the accessories/mounting brackets off of it. Then buy a water pump for a 92 Camaro with a 305 and you'll have the right water pump. To run the bypass you will have to take a plug out of the top of the water pump and fit an adapter into the hole to run a hose to it.
Currently having a 383 vortec built, so my alternator and power steering brackets from my 86 305tpi wont work with the vortec heads? My 86 has the v belt/serpentine alternator design.
Are you using an older model short block with Vortec heads or are you using a vortec block and vortec heads? The vortec block doesnt have an internal bypass for the water pump, its also reverse flow so that changes how things mount.
It was better (easier not necessarily cheaper) for me to go serpentine - I got the whole thing on ebay for $170 (pulleys, brackets, hardware, belt)
I got things cleaned up today and like how its coming along
My general build is HEI ignition, carburetor, headers, no AC, 700r4 auto transmission
Unsure what tooth count the flex plate is, may need to get the Vortec style which may require me to get a different starter.
None of the brackets or vbelts will fit properly so I went with junkyard set up.
The original thermostat housing wont work as the neck hits the AC bracket.
The harmonic balancer is shorter due to the reluctor ring in the timing cover, if you remove the ring then your balancer will push in too far and your belts wont align.
An off the shelf HEI distributor probably doesnt have a melonized gear to match the roller cam shaft gear - so Ill need to swap one in or ask MSD about it.
Since Im ditching the computer, Ill probably end up with an external lock up kit routed to a switch in the interior
[*} The block is not drilled for a mechanical fuel pump so an electric pump will need to be installed.
I got all of the transmission to engine bolts out today (that sucked) so I will be pulling the 305 this week. Once I can get the engine bay cleaned up and drop the 350 in, Im sure there will be more things that come up (motor mounts maybe)
hate to hijack your thread but if I was to find a complete serpentine set up from a thirdgen and also use a vortec water pump would that work? I didn't even plan for this to be an issue
hate to hijack your thread but if I was to find a complete serpentine set up from a thirdgen and also use a vortec water pump would that work? I didn't even plan for this to be an issue
gotcha, so a thirdgen serp set up and 88-92 water pump and I should be good to go then. I really appreciate the help, glad I saw this thread and sorry for hijacking it.
whats the update on this? my abused (by p.o.) 305 tbi is still running well. it doenst have the power I expected probably from the miles and lack of care. I'm trying to get ahead of the motor and start prepping for a 350 tbi swap for some time next year. the "plan" which is still being formulated is the buy a nice long block of the same year so I can swap over all the accessories from the 305. I know it will require bigger injectors and probably some form of tune but that doesn't seem too bad over all. the thing that has shocked me so far is the price of the long blocks themselves. in this day and age of ls based motors (since 99) how are they still charging $1500 for a basically stock long block? I assumed I could find a 300hp long block for 1,000-1,200. you motors looking good. hope there has been some good progress.
in this day and age of ls based motors (since 99) how are they still charging $1500 for a basically stock long block? I assumed I could find a 300hp long block for 1,000-1,200. you motors looking good. hope there has been some good progress.
Fairly simple reason really. There are literally millions of small block motors on the road and the L31 is the best one in factory trim to start modifying. Considering you can get one for 1600 is actually a really good deal.
gotcha, so a thirdgen serp set up and 88-92 water pump and I should be good to go then. I really appreciate the help, glad I saw this thread and sorry for hijacking it.
I'm running a serpentine setup out of a '91 firebird with the matching water pump on my vortec and it fit perfectly.
Fairly simple reason really. There are literally millions of small block motors on the road and the L31 is the best one in factory trim to start modifying. Considering you can get one for 1600 is actually a really good deal.
I'm going to research this of course but you seem to have a grasp of the l\L31 already. what is the stock hp/tq of the L31? I'm not going for high hp numbers. its a driver that I want to have a hotrod-ish feel so good low and mid are my goal. I was hoping to accomplish this with not much more than a 350 with a cam and cold air induction of some type. it just dawned on me that the L31 is the first vortec motor. duh. I hadn't considered this because I wanted a direct fit motor that would allow me to use the accessories off my 305 and wasn't sure this one would. if I read this thread right with my stock serpentine set up and a new intake the vortec will work. I looked online and didn't find them for $1600 though. the cheapest seems to be about $2k and and I would still need a few hundred for an intake and a cam. I'm going to re read this thread and others like it and see if its what I'm looking for.
They go on sale regularly on jegs and summit for 16-1800
They are rated at 255 hp 4,600 rpm and 330 foot-pounds of torque at 2,800 rpm in stock trim with stock manifolds. Not like the other crate motors that are rated with the best intake and headers. The heads will support 400hp no problem and a small cam change can get you over 300 easy. The drawbacks are special manifold and the heads require rework for big cams due to springs.
if I can find one on sale I may pull the trigger. I would ad a small cam but it a driver so I wont need a big cam. I'm sure the vortec can handle a small cam change. those intakes cost a mint though.
You can definitely upgrade the cam a little with stock heads but a $115 spring kit is a great idea. Other than that the L31R should make about 300hp with a good manifold, induction system and free flowing exhaust.
are there any more affordable intakes? they seem to run about $400! that's crazy for an intake manifold.
If you want a vortec tpi manifold then be prepared to fork over some cash lol! I picked one up off of a member here and paid $350. You can get carb ones for a lot cheaper because I don't think they make the tpi ones anymore, but don't quote me on that.
I'm keeping my tbi. I know it doesn't make a ton of power but it drives well and the car is a driver.
You would have a few choices then. TBI vortec manifold for around $430 new, or a square bore vortec manifold for around $140 to $500 and then add a TBI adapter for around $75.
You would have a few choices then. TBI vortec manifold for around $430 new, or a square bore vortec manifold for around $140 to $500 and then add a TBI adapter for around $75.
as long as it works like its supposed to that route would be fine with me.
the vortec carb manifold and tbi adapter sounds like the way to go. I appreciate all the feed back. ive owned my car about a year now but haven't really done anything to it yet. I've just been driving the wheels off of it. its really fun to drive.
05-28-2017, 02:18 PM
