Did the 1995 suburben 1500 come with the vortec motor?

 

The L31 was introduced in 96 -2000

 

Is the l31 a good engine? I have the option to buy a 96 l31 out of a suburban and I also have th option to buy a lt1 from a 95 camaro. I can't decide which to go becausidk which can an will make power better and easily. My plans are for 500 rhp. Any input?

 

First find out if its a 1500 or 2500 suburban, the heavy ones sometimes had low compression pistons (block will be a 4 bolt main), vortecs have great heads(very similar to lt-1 heads in flow & chambers) & roller cams. Are gonna run a carb or efi. 400hp is a realistic number for a 350, if you really want 500hp, then think about building a 383.

 

its 1500 i believe, 2 wheel drive i know that. iv thought and might do a 383 to get that number, idk i have alot of plans for the engine, and i want to go efi. i cant stand carb or throttle body and plan on converting it to something else if i do get it. i just cant decide which engine is better and will be better in the long run. like i said i want alot of power and i know what i can do to an lt1, idk what i can do to a vortec

 

Go vortec. Its less hastle with some things. LT1 has reverse cooling among other things. They have the same power potential. 500hp 350 will require a power adder.

 

come to find out the truck is a 2500, what all does this change? is it better or worse?

 

Both 1500 and 2500 will be the same base on the 350. Difference will come in the programming in the computer and the cam will have slighty different specs to give it better torque rating. My 98 Z71 is that way.

 

well i noticed above it said the heavier trucks had low compression pistons

 

If it is a 8000lb plus truck then it is possible as some trucks with the higher gvw got the 3500 350. Usually the higher gvw vehicles with lower compression pistons had the 4.56 geared rearend.

You can also call the dealer with the VIN and get more info on it if you have it.

 

i can ask my buddy, it came out of his truck because hes tossing an ls into it lol. what are some good cams for these? it has 130K on it and either a bad head or intake gasket so im thinking of doing just a rebuild with maybe a cam upgrade but i dont know what to buy, iv never messed with an engine like this before

 

ALL 350 vortec engines had the same piston and cylinder heads. Same 9.4:1 compression. This includes the ones used in heavy P30 chassis. The TBI engines are the one that had a lower compression ratio, forged crank, intake rotators, and piston oil cooling jets.

 

This engine is tbi