I recently pulled a 96 350 out of a suburban and plan on dropping the engine into my 89 RS and using the TBI injection. So far i've had trouble finding and intake manifold which will work on the '96 becuase the two inner bolts on the heads go in upright, not slanted. Any advice on what i should do for an intake manifold? Also, i know i'm going to have to change out the two injectors to 350 injectors, but i've had trouble finding a pair. Anyone know where i can get some and how much they would cost? The last concern i have is running the engine with the stock computer chip. I'm pretty sure since the change isnt too dramatic and the 350 will remain fairly stock that this wont pose a problem. Anyone with comments or advice please feel free to respond.

Thanks,
Chris

 

www.turbocity.com sells injecotrs i think. isnt 1996 the first year for vortec heads on trucks? that would mean you need a vortec intake manifold

 

96 is the first year for Vortec in the truck but I didn't think the had any center bolt holes. If it has heat risers in the center for EGR then its not a vortec engine and thus not a 96 Truck engine. Maybe 95 but the is 40hp difference between 95 and 96 due to those vortec heads.

 

You can get the whole throttle body on ebay for $50-$75 with 350 injectors. Or you can pay $120 for a pair of injectors at advance autoparts. You really should change the chip to a 350 chip from a caprice cop car since they have the same ecm. Also, you need the knock sensor too or you aren't going to see that 350's full potential.

If that 350 is a 96 Vortec engine it should have a roller cam in it as well. Therefore a nice LT1 cam would help spice it up some while you have the motor out an no intake on it. Used $50-$60 LT1 cam would be nice for the extra 25-30hp.

 

i've been looking at some places and i can't find a vortec intake manifold that a TBI can bolt on to....maybe there's a plate to adapt a TBI to a 2 or 4 barrel manifold?? help please

 

ok...once i find a caprice with a 350 what exactly all do i need to take out to use my ECM with my TBI....do i only need the chip? and where is it located?

 

Summit or Jegs sells Edelbrock 4 barrel vortec manifolds and Summit sells Holley's carb to TBI adapter plates. Don't know what kinda induction you plan on running, but I had clearance issues with my Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold with the plate. My plan was to use a 14X3 flat base air cleaner but it wasn't even close. I ended up having to use a 14X2 drop base to get it to barely fit. I know that Edelbrocks Performer (not RPM) is not as tall but don't know by how much.

Tom

 

HLY-17-45

thats the part number for a Holley squarebore to TBI adapter plate from Summit, and its $44.99.

 

Jegs sells the TBI Vortec intake aswell... its listed on the same pages as the GM crate engines down towards the bottom. Be prepared its something like $350.

 

Please look at the injection system of that 96 L31 that you pulled! And please tell me you kept the injection system. Those were rated at 255hp, up from 195-210 with the L05 TBI. I'd recommend an LT1 F-Body cam with 1.6 rocker arms. If you use TBI, I would recommend an aftermarket throttle body, like the Holley 670, or the 454 TBI. The stock Rochester 220 probably *can* support that much hp (though maybe not the HP you'll make with the F-Body cam), it'll be some sort of restriction.

But again - if it still has the stock CPFI in tact, PLEASE don't ditch it for TBI! That'd be a pretty dumb move, IMO.

 

I've been talking to some people about the engine swap and they've told me that changing the vortec heads on the '96 to a pair of 305 heads would give me more compression. Right now he has a pair of '86 305 heads with a performer rpm intake manifold for $150 and i'm not sure if this would be a smart purchase or not. please lend some information on this topic.

Chris

 

NO!
Use the L31 Vortec heads. They are, without a doubt, the best stock factory iron heads ever made.
You will lose performance with the sucky 305 heads, and still have to use a higher octane. Don't do it.
Work the L31s if you want for a little better flow. 9.5:1 compression (or so) will be plenty, trust me.

 

You only need the chip. Not the whole ECM. The ECM on your car is located under the passenger side of the dash. Get the ANLU Cop car chip on ebay for $30.