i plan on putting vortec heads on my 87 GTA 350 TPI all stock. What would i need to do the swap right i know i need the TPI vortec intake. but is there anything else i need, i know i need the EGR installition but will i need machine work done anything major. If anyone can that would be great.

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87 GTA 5.7

 

My father has a 350 w/ Vortec heads and TPI in his 68' Chevy truck. No EGR required for that install due to the lack of emissions equipment. He bought a lower intake, heads, and a bolt kit. That "should" be all you need - other than gaskets.

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1986 IROC-Z, 8pt. cage, 383, Mini Ram, DFI, Art Carr 700R4, 12 bolt.....

 

You have to be careful what cam you run. I have heard of people running a ZZ4 cam w/ no mods to the head, but its not reccomended. The springs are only rated to I "think" .460" (somebody help me out here). In order to use larger springs, you need to cut out the spring pockets to a larger size and have the tops of the valve guides cut down (Comp Cams makes a tool that will do both functions in one pass for about $45).

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Webmaster:SETHIRDGEN
GM Tech
ASE Master Auto Technician + L1
1987 Trans Am: 357ci
Ported TFS heads, ZZ4 cam, headers & exhuast and other go fast goodies
13.53 @ 103.77

 

Did the heads come with new springs/valves and rockers? if not I'd go ahead and upgrade thoe parts to higher quality ones. This will reduce friction and improve performance.

Last time we did heads, we used Crane 1.6 ratio gold series full roller rockers (vs 1.5:1 stock), larger valves, stronger springs (to handle higher RPM and more lift), chromolly pushrods, etc .. All the little things that could save me having to rip it apart again later because I didnt use the right quality parts.




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James D Montigny
1992 Pontiac Firebird 5.0
Bone Stock Officer, I Swear !

The members of this board are enthusiasts, not experts.
Please consider everything that you read an opinion.

 

If you're keeping the stock cam, you'll be fine, altho its a little small. If you upgrade to a better cam at the same time, you'll want to have the heads machined to accept the higher cam lift. Any competent machine shop can handle that.

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1991 Camaro Z28
350 L98 w/ T56 (originally 305 LB9 w/ T5)
318 RWHP, 419 RWTQ
12.803 @ 108.50 MPH (1.932 60')
Member: SoCal F-Bodies
ThirdGen 4-Life!

 

Thanks for the help, this will help me out alot.

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87 GTA 5.7