So the engine went out in the car finally. I have a cousin who wants to sale a 5.7 vortec to me for just 400. It's still running and under 95,000 miles. doesnt smoke or anything. Only thing is, is there really a 5.7 vortec in a roadmaster? before buying it i wanna make sure it's do-able and will fit.

 

No, there is no such thing as a Vortec in a Roadmaster, unless it has been swapped in.

What year is the Roadmaster? I'm betting '95-earlier, so it probably has a TBI swirl-port LO5, if it is even a 350.

 

yes it's a 95 i believe. and he said he's 100% sure that its a 5.7, just doesnt know what kind? would i be able to use the engine as a block doner and swap on the tpi system?

 

yea ya can, and yes the 95 roadmaster had a 5.7 MPI
260HP
335 Ft Lbs to

 

lol niiiiiiiiiiiiice. now yall are getting me on the side to buy it. Cousin just dropped the price to $150 . This engine is pretty much like a lt1 correct?

 

If its a 95 and MPI 5.7 it is a LT1. Just make sure it's a 5.7 some I dont rember the years had the 4.3 (baby lt1). Looks the same as the 5.7.

 

iirc all 95 roadmasters had the 5.7, and im 99% sure on that

 

94-96 Roadmasters got the 5.7 LT1 engine, all of them, sedans and wagons. The 4.3 liter version (L99 engine) was used in the caprices and is usually identifiable by it's single exhaust pipe.

The LT1 heads are not able to make use of TPI systems without some modification. The LT1 is reverse flow cooling and there are no coolant jackets in the heads and the distributor is on the front of the engine, behind the balancer.

I am considering an LT1 swap for my 82 Firebird and although I am familiar with the B-body cars and their engines, I havent researched what is going to be required to make the switch.

 

ok. well since im swapping to a bigger engine, id need to take the computer harnes, correct?

 

I wasn't sure of the LT1 years. I'll buy '94-'96.

You need the engine, accessories, harness, sensors, and PCM. Not because it's a bigger engine, but because it's an LT1 swap.

Wouldn't be a bad idea to get the transmission if you can. Better piece than the TH700R-4, and the PCM runs it as well as the engine (instead of an Engine Control Module like 3rd gens, the later years had a Powertrain Control Module).

 

ok, so now about the hedders? would i be able to use the shorties i have on my 305 still? or is there a certain type?

 

Most likely you can use your headers. Exactly what do you have?

 

I just know that their hedman shorties. Never had time to install them so i paid a friend to pick them up and do it. Never really worried about the size or thickness either due to the fact that i bought them brand new for $40. i'm sure i can find out tomorrow

 

The 4L60E is basically a computer controlled 700R4. No better, no worse, just a few different components during a rebuild. They can be built almost bullet proof if need be. I would get the trans just because it will make the whole swap easier in that you wont have to worry about a kickdown cable. You will however have to worry about a torque arm mount. I havent checked into any products out there yet to accomplish this.

FWIW, my 1994 Caprice went through 2 4L60E's in 3 years. My 1996 Roadmaster has 217k miles on the original 4L60E. Sometimes you get a bad one, sometimes you get a good one.

 

the only thing about the motor is that it has iron heads.
but for 150$ cant beat that.

 

The 4L60E is more than an electronic TH700R-4. It has a better front pump and other improvements.

Iron heads isn't all bad, better in some respects.

 

You can swap the output shaft casing with one from a 4th gen 4L60E with the torque arm mount, 4 bolts and it's a swap.

 

It makes decent power considering its cam is like 190/196 duration @ .050" lift. TINY cam. Any cam at all really will wake it up like a shot of nitrous.