Id like to replace the good running, 305 TPI in my 89 IROC Vert with a 350, for more STREET power and "Just Because". I have ruled out the great L31R because picking up the EGR at the exhaust manifold will trigger Ca. SMOG Hell.

I'm considering this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Chevrole...5577%7Ciid%3A1

A reman L98, w/ roller cam, 1 piece rear main seal, 4-BOLT MAIN, long block. Has anyone actually done this swap? How did it work out? "Seat of the pants" power increase? Did it pass Ca (or other "CARB State" )SMOG? Does it start, run, drive up to original equipment standards? (IE no cold start or other problems)

What Will I need to change to get this right?

And, I know Mabbco Enterprises gets mixed reviews, from ebay buyers. Thanks!

 

How do those ****'s check the EGR function.

GD

 

Visually ANY non stock SMOG parts is a fail. I expect a fabricated EGR pickup will fail visual.

 

Concerning your link,

The iron heads they offer don't show a part number (unless I missed it) so they very well could be the very common and not performance oriented 193 heads. Making a 'upgrade to a 350' less of an upgrade compared to your LB9. And the aluminum heads that they show but give ZERO detail to wouldn't have an egr passage anyway so you can't use them if you can't use a external egr passage.

Not to mention the rest of the ad is filled with odd scammy feelings to it. Oil filter adapter?....recommended? I love those specs on my "RV" cam... STEEL crank....oh it's recommended too? I wish I wouldn't have put that aluminum crank in mine. If only they had warned me. Pure sarcasm.

And why is their phone number "removed by ebay"? Is that a thing?

Being they give little to no detail on everything, give scammy sounding wording, probably use the cheapest everything on it, who knows if they check anything or just slam it together and mail it out. I'd avoid it at all costs. Find a local, reputable engine shop. Better off in all areas.

As far as the swap. Super easy. Make sure you have the right injectors and the proper tune. That's about it. I'd suggest good exhaust if it's not already changed. Regardless of a 305 or 350 being in there.

 

I think the best solution for any hotrodder living in California that wants a fast car by today's standards is to pony up and buy the E-rod LS3 6.2L 430hp crate/kit engine. It comes with certifications from the CARB and feds saying it's emissions compliant. It was created to fill the niche market in California and other heavily emissions controlled regions and it fits the bill perfectly. Even though it's a bit of a package deal in that you get the engine and exhaust and intake components it's still pricey at just under $10K but you really have no other options to make your car fast by today's standards.

 

I don't know why you are freaking out so much this. I've had Vortec heads with the EGR tube on my car for fifteen years. Not once has a smog tech even mentioned the EGR tube. That includes the few times I had to take it to a test only places, and one place that was so insanely nitpicky that wanted me to produce the EO#'s and documentation for every aftermarket part they saw (including the ones that had the EO# stamped into the part). Even they didn't question the EGR tube.

 

Eldon, where did you piece together the egr tube from ?
scoggin Dickey Kit ?
asking for a friend in California.

 

E-Tec is way more than I want to spend. My SMOG tech, Ive known for YEARS, was looking at and squeezing, the EGR pickup tube, on my '86 Corvette, because I had put new heat insulation, wrapped in aluminium tape! (Apparently he had some prior SMOG headaches). Then there is the L31R's lack of a ignition timing scale. In my L31R swap thread, and others, guys have mentioned, some passed SMOG, others did not. Had to go the the "Referee".

As far as the engine link, IMO their warranty isn't worth much (and, in my experience, neither is ATK's) I figure by STEEL crank, they mean forged. Your point about the heads is certainly something I'd want answered by the re-builder. What would be GOOD heads, with exhaust crossover, for the L98?

 

I really don't see the problem. Route the EGR pipe so it's hidden and use the SDPC Vortec base. They aren't going to see it most especially if they aren't looking for it, and among that rats nest of air injection, smog pump, and EVAP garbage.

Do they even do a functional check of the EGR at cruise on a dyno? If they just check that the valve moves and holds vacuum with a hand pump then you're covered.

GD

 

The Universal EGR Pickup kits, AFAIK, are discontinued. I thought about using this Stainless tubing. (Below)

Id have to fabricate flanges and have them TIG welded on. But it's not gonna look OE and I don't know how I'd hide it under the SD lower intake, or anywhere else. In cali, if seller must provide a current SMOG cert, at point of sale. Failure to do so leaves the seller exposed to a lawsuit, by the buyer, if it fails SMOG.

 

My point being with the "steel" crank is they all are, and if they meant forged then a builder should know enough to state it that way. Even if it's the IT person that knows nothing about engines setting up the ebay ad, they should have their wording right. But I digress.

As far as heat crossover heads, there isn't a lot of options with a heat cross over. GM 083 heads are factory equipped on third gens and aren't too bad. Nothing barn storming but more performance based than 193's. 083's are out there relatively cheap but you may need to rebuild them anyway. Otherwise, Dart and World products have new castings available for prices comparable to rebuilt heads. They are stock replacement type heads so they aren't barn stormers either but make comparable power to 083's. Here's an example.

There may be other better options out there that I'll leave other members to suggest. Typically the reason vortecs are suggested is because they are the best option.

 

Yes, my EGR tube came as part of the vortec package I put in the car years ago. I tried looking, but couldn't find the tube on Scoggin-Dickey's website anymore. Saw a few on ebay though.

 

The smog egr tube kit is just the corvette egr kit for tpi. Should be able to find it on a junked tpi vette.

 

Correct.

 

Good luck finding a 25 year old EGR flexible tube pickup, w/ any service life left! My 80,000, Ca only, mile Vette's tube was ready to crumble.

 

They aren't flexible. It is a metal tube. For reference (mine doesn't have that sensor, the bung is plugged on mine:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/89-Corvette...YAAOSwOKxcO~4B

 

OK. "Bendable" is a better description.

 

I'm not not understanding why yours would be crumbling. Its a metal tube.

 

I took my buddies 86 Vette off his hands because it was running on 6 cylinders and couldn't pass SMOG, etc. I refurbished it, including 8 new injectors, OH Fuel Pressure Regulator, T-Stat, full tune up, upholstery, LCD's in the instrument cluster, etc. I had to slightly manipulate the EGR tube, to R&R the VC Gaskets and the tube almost broke in half. I saved it however, and wrapped aluminium tape around it.

My SMOG guy, who I've known for years, is through, because he got fined,, years ago, for missing something. When he saw the tape, he was squeezing the tube, to be sure it was intact. Cali is easier on $cumbag Criminals, than SMOG techs!

My time is way too valuable to hunt for and install used consumable parts. Especially something exposed to manifold exhaust gas, for decades.

 

SO, lets get back to my original question. Has anyone here done or participated in, a 305 to L98 350 swap? Please advise how it went.

IF I buy the linked Ebay reman longblock, WHAT heads should I request they install and HOW do I identify said heads, installed on the block?

 

I posted in another thread similar to this. The smog guys only check for components that NEED to be there. Unless you have a Roots 6-71 blower coming through your hood, you should be fine with stock stuff and an extra tube or two (even nitrous solenoids, they don't care). These guys are in it to make a few bucks, not try to be super clever. They need to cover their asses. If they visual for an EGR, air injection, cat (with numbers), etc. they have covered their butts and they will move on to the sniffer.

 

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I've done the 305 to L98 swap. Only thing pretty important that I know I forgot is the Knock sensor. They are also different between 5.0 and 5.7
Heads you should get if they are GM heads have 083 at the end of the GM part number.

 

go to another smog tech ,problem solved.remove the stupid tinfoil tape and you are golden

 

Said SMOG Tech passed the car. I was pointing out how particular he must be, due to pressure from DMV/CARB.

I have resigned myself to the fact, IF I swap a 350, it will have to be a reman L98.

 

What if the smog tech squeezes the tube and it crumbles in his hand? Is he then responsible?

 

Look, if you know a smog guy, ask him about what you plan to do with the L31R. If you know him, he knows you. He knows your not going to turn him in. What I think is worth asking, is if he can look the other way and hook it up and if it passes, great, if it doesn't, that's on you to figure out how to tune it in. Visual is one thing, but passing is the main test.