Hello all,
Need help with a replacement engine for my 1989 Camaro Iroc-z 350 TPI. The motor i have is shot, cant rebuild period. So been looking for a crate replacement but no luck with summit or jegs. I want to keep it on a budget of about $3000.00 and want to keep the TPI. I would prefer something that dont require computer tuning, cuz i have no clue as to want to do there. Summit has this 350 crate truck engine running vortec heads, could a person use this engine s and install the tpi vortec base plate. And swap the cam to stock to get away from computer tuning? This is the engine i was looking at Chevrolet Performance 350 C.I.D. 290 HP Engine Assemblies 12499529. Other then that what are others doing for replacements without tuning computer. Im just lost and want to get this up and running again. Thanks

 

You may even consider a crane or comp efi cam and have your heads rebuilt to use on a cheaper tbi roller block.

 

I would suggest going with the L31 crate motor. At Summit and Jegs it's about $2100. But you will have to plumb an external egr and change the cam like Tuned Performance suggested.

 

Great suggestion Fred, with a tpi vortec base you will be within budget.

 

ATK sells remanufactured crate engines exactly like yours. You trade in your core and they will send you a direct replacement if that is the route you wana go. I myself would probably lean toward the vortec crate motor from jegs or summit.

 

Thanks for the info, but what do you mean by plumb an external egr? and how would i do that. thanks

 

Vortec heads do not have internal egr passages. So the exhaust gas is routed to the intake manifold externally. A hole is drilled in the exhaust manifold, passenger side, and a boss welded in. A threaded fitting is installed and metal tubing routed to a special port on the intake. If you look carefully at a TPI Vortec intake, there is a port on the rear passenger side of the intake, near the distributor hole. This is where the exhaust gas enters. TPI vettes have this arrangement.

 

So if i would ues this vortec crate and buy the tpi base plate, swap the cam could i just delete the egr? And what would be a good cam to go with?

 

You can remove the egr, but you should have the egr function deleted from the chip. Also, if your state does a visual check during inspection, they could fail you. As for a cam, I'm sure many members have more experience than I on that. If it were me, I would get the Crane 2032 cam, it's relatively mild, a little lope and should work with the stock chip.

 

This all sounds good, so this setup should be better then stock too right?

 

I think to get the most out of the combination, you should get a tune, but should drive fine on the street with stock computer since you have a mass air system. Vortec heads flow allot better than stock L98's, so you may run a little lean.

 

When you say shot, do you mean a rod hanging through the side of the block, a mound of sludge, or just a tired/smoking engine. Unless the block is already .040" over, cracked or frozen it would be rebuildable.

That being said I would just go the L31 route and probably even leave the truck cam if you want stock ECM compatibility.

 

block is .060 over and low compression in 3 cylinders. So pretty much shot. I really like the idea of doing the new L31 vortec setup and swapping the cam out for a little more power. The crane cam 2032 grind seems like the only way to go with out doing anything to the heads, and stay in my budget. Do you know if the valve springs that come in the new L31 will be ok to run with the crane cam or not? And I will get a tuned chip so can delete the egr and free up what ever else i can. Do you have any other suggestion. Thanks