Hi guys,

I have a 350 that has the vortech style heads, currently running a carb. For a while I had been planning on getting an aftermarket Fuel management system - like the Holley Commander - however, none of them came with EGR provisions.

Now here comes the wrench. My job is relocating me to Virginia, and from everyone I've talked to there, they are as hardcore about emissions and inspections for safety and emissions control as California is.

So I'm trying to find out what years and what model cars came from the factory that had EFI and the vortech style heads, so I can get to the junkyard and start scavaging everything to toss on my car to make it passable.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. (Yes, I tried to search using the terms: vortech year model , and a few others without luck. Even tried playing around with google for the info first. Search engines hate me when it comes to cars.)

Thanks guys!

 

Ok first off what year is the car, thats gonna be a determining factor as to what your car is liable for when it comes time for inspection.
--Hint #1 -If you can pass the emissions test they have no reason to open the hood.Period. So get it hot (190 thermostat helps) right before you go and make sure you have a cat on the car.
--Hint #2 -Call a Virginia inspection station and ask exactly what your car year needs to be able to pass inspection, safety and emissions. The older a car is, the less stringent the requirements, but some things such as original equipment and the smog level they bring/brought can be very important. Get the details.
--Hint #3 -If smog is really going to be an issue, you might try a TBI setup. Not hard to find and configure. Much less expensive than TPI or a Holley EFI.
--Hint #4 -Look near your job location for a more rural county to live in and possibly no emissions and/or safety inspection.
my 2 pennies, GL

 

Hi Prickly!

I've got an 86 Fiero GT, the V6 was taken out and a late 90s crate 350 was put in. (here's a picture of it http://www.mn12tbird.com/misc/fierotrunk02.jpg )

I checked with one place that was in a different county, just in case. They told me it was a state-wide thing (unlike in N.C., where it varies from county to county). He did say that swapping out the engine wasn't an issue, but it had to have the same or equiviliant emissions controls. So since my factory engine had EGR, o2 sensors and cats and mufflers (etc), my current engine had to have the same thing.

So I asked him "Does everyone always check for that kinda stuff?" and he said they do, it was just the little stuff "Like if the seats are mounted properly." that they tend to skip (yes, on the about-30-point inspection list on their website, it does say they check the seats for proper mounting... crazy).

The real kicker is it needs to pass at the emission levels of the factory V6!

My only other option at the moment is to move to West Virginia and just accept the extra 20 minute each way commute to work. lol

 

Alright,

After finding more casting numbers and doing a little digging, it turns out I have an "L31" - the 350 with vortec heads that was used on things like the Tahoes, C1500 pick up trucks, and even the 99-00 Escalades.

I haven't had any luck yet in the local junkyard with the vehicles listed not having the intake/fuel system gutted. Does anyone know if these cars were TBI, TPI, or ...?


1996-2003 Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana full-size vans
1996-1999 Chevrolet/GMC C/K full-size trucks
1996-1999 Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Suburban full-size long-wheelbase SUVs
1996-1999 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon full-size short-wheelbase SUVs
1999-2000 Cadillac Escalade

The only one I found out for sure that was TBI was a certain run of G-series vans. (at least, I'm hoping that's accurate).

I found a junkyard about two hours away that has the complete intake, plus the wiring harness, from a 97 C1500 pickup truck for 200. Just looking for any advice or help or tips here when I go out to look at this stuff.

Thanks guys!