Cascade Crew

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:29 pm Post subject: 350 c.i. upgrade questions...

I'm going to buy a 350 this weekend and I want to know, is there any kind of 350 that i can't put in my maro? What i mean is does a small block, long block, nickel block all fit. or is one better than the other? Also does it matter what kind of vehicle it came off of, ie... truck, gmc, olds, buick, older, newer,ect? And what about a 2 or 4 or whatever bolt main? I really don't want to buy something i can't use... Confused

chevymad · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:

Anything can be made to fit. Some are better then others. Usually heads are what determine that. 2 or 4 bolt won't really matter much in a street rig.

60's motors will have decent blocks and heads, but may not have accessory holes. So bolting stuff onto the motor can be a bitch.

70's era motors will have allthe accessory holes in the heads, 2 piece rear main, you'll need a flywheel to fit it. But they'll have crap for compression with the smogger heads.

80s motors are the same til they go to efi. 86 and newer will have 1 piece rear main and you'll need the appropriate flyweel for that. TPI motors will have decent heads and compression. Truck TBI motors will have swirl ports. Lots of torque, little hp. But they'll bolt in. 87 up car motors will be roller cam. Trucks it depends, some are some arent.

90's motors, LT-1s .. you'll need everything in order to bolt in. They're a different generation of motor. TBI is still the same. Vortec truck motors have great heads, but you'll need an intake to convert to carb. And that takes you up to the ls1's.

What would i look for? Probably either a roller TPI engine, or a vortec engine. Even if I was going carb those 2 would probably be the better choices. The roller cam will help you avoid flat cams, and you dont have to buy new lifters when you do a cam swap. If you are going to be using a carb, buy either as a long block. No need to waste money buying the intakes and stuff that you dont need.

Does anybody else remember if there are other gotchas using a vortec motor?

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:37 pm Post subject:

what about a 70s era motor with edlbrock heads?

chevymad · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:39 pm Post subject:

There's nothing really wrong about the short block in the 70s that the heads cant fix. You won't have a roller cam, but flat tappets can live with the right care. Most have dished pistons, but with 64 cc heads or smaller compression is ok anyway.

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject:

ok so for the best fit with the leased amount of modding should i go for the long block or short?

chevymad · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:53 pm Post subject:

Long block just means the engine comes with heads, short block is just the block and rotating assembly.

I think you mean big or small block. Small block will bolt in like any 305. Big block you'll have to adapt things, and they weigh alot more.

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:07 pm Post subject:

how about a Chevy 350, LA Built, Camaro motor, year 1972, 4Bolt main.
.
I think it's the one on the right.

chevymad · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

It's a good base, easy to bolt in. Pick some good heads for it and go. Just wish it had a roller cam. I'm really not sure i'd build another sb chevy myself without a roller. Retro lifters cost a fortune too.

Have you talked to any junkyards? Dan got a good deal on a couple roller tpi motors one time, cheaper then I thought possible really.

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

can i use a tpi motor if i'm going carbs?

chevymad · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:23 pm Post subject:

Yes! Just bolt a carb intake on it. I have 89 L98 heads from mikes gta on a 1980 shortblock, with a performer intake/holley carb in my 70 chevy truck. The heads will be decent, everything will bolt up, and if you get 87 and newer you'll have a roller cam.

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject:

woe i gotta go to bed. pick this up tomorrow? ok..

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject:

sweet thanks B.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:33 am Post subject:

If you get a motor with heads '87 and up you gotta drill out the center two holes on either side of the intake to get it to fit, or get an intake that fits '87 up. So a TPI 350 will need that mod if you're using an old intake.

chevymad · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:37 am Post subject:

Fixed mine with a drill. Not a big deal.

dlp · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:04 pm Post subject:

If you have the money, start with a Vortec truck motor. Find one with low miles, drop a Vortec carb manifold on it along with a GMPP 200.00 dollar cam and you will be running low 13's or high twelves. My boss picked up 5.7 Vortec motor complete for his 69 nova. He stripped off all of the factory dressings ( wich paid for the intake and cam) and installed it in his 69 nova. The car dyno's around 300 to the wheels and runs 13.0s.

HONDASLAYER · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject:

OK thanks for all the help. I've changed my mind though. I'm going to focus on fixing and improving what I have now rather than getting stuff that won't go in until next spring. Wink

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:41 pm Post subject:

Very pleased with the Vortec heads on my 350. One of the better Iron heads for the cost involved.

Dewey316 · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject:

mine are corrected with a drill also, but the other way, pre-86 heads with a late model manifold.

91RSVert · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject:

Wasnt there an olds "rocket 350"? Was the block different, or just the heads/intake?

chevymad · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:23 pm Post subject:

Back in the 70s all the car companies had their own v/8s. The parts do not interchange between them. The olds motor is really an olds motor and has no similarity to a chevy v/8. Same with the pontiac and buick 350s.

Also, buick/olds/pontiac (bop) and cadillac, all use a different bellhousing on their transmission then chevy. So even though they may use a th350/400 it will not bolt to a chevy unless it has the universal bellhousing with all the holes drilled.