Tax time is coming soon and I usually get a decent refund. My car has had burnt valve seals since I bought it so its time to do something about it. I want to put a Vortec 350 in my car something similar to the 350HO GM offers, but I don’t know what they came in, all I know is its in late model trucks. I want to have it rebuilt with decent compression and a decent cam. I am looking to get about 325-350rwhp I have heard that vortec heads a 274xe cam and 10:1 compression ratio will accomplish my goal but I don’t know what kind of truck I need to look for; for the motor I want can anyone help me?

 

96-up full size

 

Thanks also do these truck have provisions for mechanical fuel pumps? I have a cerebrated car and I don’t have an electric pump.

 

pic of my vortec block.

 

I don't see how you could use a fuel pump in that pic... the mounting boss is there, but I don't see the hole for the push rod. Unless that dark splotch is a hole.

 

maybe this will help

 

Well I guess it is there!! Good to know.

 

It's hit and miss which ones will accept a mechanical fuel pump I have a '96 block that does but have seen others of the same year that don't. Also keep in mind that the '96&up engines use a external thermostat bypass, there is a hose that goes from the front of the intake to the water pump, the truck water pumps have two 5/8 nipples going to them. If you need to use a standard rotation water pump(V-belt style) teeing in on the heater return makes the heater work very poorly in my experience. The other option is to drill some holes in the thermostat for a bypass but this also hinders your heat. So I guess what I'm saying is if having good heat is important I'd find a pre '96 block to build If you can't use the truck water pump. Getting the heads and roller cam hardware off one of those engines is a good idea though.

 

thats the same block gm uses for the ZZ4:hail:

 

I was wondering anyone knows a site that shows proven combinations using these heads? Only one that I have seen is the 274XE, 10:1 CR that produces close to 400hp at the crank.