hey guys i have been thinking about what to do with the 3 grand i have to spend. i looked in the jegs mag and i noticed a 350 with vortec heads for 2259.99. it is part # 809-12486041. what do you guys think about it? i know i would need a vortec intake manifold. what else will i need? think i should swap it in? right now i have a LB9 TPI 305 with 700r4 and 2.73 gears. all i have to spend is 3 grand and no more. well for now anyway. let me know what you think. :hail: :hail:

 

I think that motor is a pretty good deal. Are you wanting to stay TPI or go carb?

You could get that motor and then get the Vortec TPI manifold. Maybe a bigger set of injectors and it would run decent. Would need alot of tuning though. Stock TPI would choke that motor tho.

Or you could go carb. You would need a carb, vortec intake, HEI vacuum advance distributor, and of course a mallory 3 port FPR.

You would probably go over your 3k limit if you switch to carb unless you find some good deals. I think you could.

I think youd initially see more power going carbed. However if you switched to a better form of MPFI you may see better results...if you can find something for vortec heads.

I vote carb..

 

1st question: Do you plan on keeping the TPI? If so, your budget won't make it. In addition to the only Vortec TPI base out there ($400), you'll need to figure shipping, gaskets, and the "little things" that always come up. Also, that engine and TPI don't produce the advertised numbers. More in the 260 HP range, add aftermarket runners (oops, more money) and you'll get closer to 280. Remember, those are gross flywheel numbers, not the net that your LB9 was rated at.

If you're going to stick with TPI, your best bet by far is this engine http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...art&catid=1577 .

Did you figure in the cost of PROM tuning yet? The '87 MAF may be okay, but the TPI power guys typically run SD.

If you are going carb, you're still going to be tight on the budget. The Deluxe goes for $3400, and the only things it has that you could argue you don't need are water pump, damper & flexplate. Remember, even with the base HO, you'll have to pay shipping, plus the cost of the manifold, plus the carb & distributor (unless you have something sitting around you could bolt on), plus gaskets, plus air cleaner, plus fuel pump system (regulator and/or mechanical pump).

All of these options could use better exhaust to boot. In fact, you won't get the HP numbers w/o headers.

The final question is emissions. None of these is "legal". You might be able to sneak the TPI version through, or if you don't have a rigorous visual, the carb may get past the sniffer. But, if you need EGR, you'll have to do some fabrication.

 

i want to stay tpi. i dont want a carb because i dont know how to fix them, they get crappy mileage, its hard to start in winter. i am looking to get into the mid 13s with $3,000. start telling me a way i can get there or do something. i cant figure this out on my own im only 17. help is what i need so give me give me give me lol

 

Yes...

Put another $1500 with it. That'll get you the motor you need, plus all of the other things that are killing your car's performance (car, not motor) right now, like exhaust, cinverter, and gears.

 

I know how you feel im only 19. I wanted that HO 350 but had to settle for a GM goodwrench motor. Didn't have the money at the time. Oh well.

Carb doesn't do that bad on gas and it starts just as easy as fuel injection. At least mine does.

 

I have the 350 HO Deluxe... Starts up great, even in very cold weather. I love it, much better than my crappy LO3 with TBI.

 

ok say i can get 4,500 bucks what will i need?

 

any times with tha 350ho engine??

what tranny and rear you running?

 

The SDPC VTPI engine, 52mm TB, Edelbrock runners, headers.

I won't pretend to know what it takes to go from MAF to SD. But, the 500 CFM MAF just may come close to covering you.

 

check my post on the motor swap board everyone and reply!!!!