OK, first things first. I haven't actively posted on this board in a LONG time. So, to anyone who might actually remember me (I doubt there are many), hello again. My beloved F-Body ('87 Z) has been dead for a pretty good while now, but I have a question that is 'mildly' F-Body related. I've got a '95 Chevy K1500 Z71. It's got the 350, but I got screwed big time in the power area. Of course, it's the year before GM switched to the Vortech engines. I've been lookin at various mods for even the smallest horsepower gain, but it just doesn't seem worth it to me. Even if I go all out and throw a Vortech supercharger on it, I'll barely be pushin 300 horses. And that's after I dump $4 grand into that centrifugal system. So, I got to thinkin.... maybe a motor swap is in order. Perhaps I should drop a Vortech 350 in there instead. Then my mind went further........ hell, why not an LT1. And if I'm goin that far, then why not spring for an LS1 drop-in? The only problem is that I can't find any info on this type of project. If anyone has any experience with this or knows a site/company that I can get info from, I would really appreciate it. On top of that, if this project looks possible and not ridiculously expensive, then I guess I'll be in the market for a *complete* LS1. Please post info or your own opinion on this project. Thanks.

 

Is your '87 totalled or just not running? If its just not running I would suggest putting an LS1 in it. But if you're looking for an engine for your truck, why not try to find a Vortech engine? Are they expensive?

 

Ya know, if you really want a fast vehicle, a truck isn't exactly the best platform to use...and dropping a gen. III V8 into your 1500 probably won't be anywhere near cheap either. Making something fast that wasn't meant to be fast usually takes quite a bit of money/time.

Is buying a new (used) car out of the question? If not, then why not try looking for a nice '98-'99 Z or Formula or something...like even a '95-'96 LT1 F-body (if you're looking for something a little cheaper than a '98+ F-body).

 

Well, given your current situation (owning a "dead" F-body and a "power-lacking" truck), I'd say if you're going to do an LS1 swap, it would be for the F-body, not the truck. For the cost and the trouble, I don't think it's worth it for the truck, 'cause then you still have a "dead" '87 F-body with a less powerful engine than the LS1 even if it were running!

For the truck, I'd say swap in a Vortec engine if you want. AFAIK, they're still a Gen-I still block, they just use the Vortec heads (which are a very good head design) and obviously a different intake system, but I bet there would be fewer electrical "nightmares" associated with that swap than for an LS1 retro-fit.

I know what you mean when you say the truck lacks power (my dad's got an '89 1/2 ton with a rebuilt 350 that's supposed to have a bit of a cam, yet it's still gutless!?). You've gotta decide what's important to you. Do you want to have both the Z and the truck? Or are you willing to sacrifice one?? If you don't need a truck, then put your money into the car. If you don't care for the car anymore, sell both vehicles and get into a newer ('99+) GM truck with a Gen-III style engine (4.8 / 5.3 / 6.0) and they're designed similar to the LS1 and put out a lot more horsepower than your '95. You gotta decide what you want, but that's an idea.

 

Well I appreciate the posts so far.... here's the background on the '87.

I drove her for about a year and a half, then I made the ultimate mistake (I'm sure I'll get ragged for it too), I let my female drive the car. She had a 700R4 in her and for some reason, my woman forgot about stopping before shiftin into park. Long story short, she wouldn't shift into 3rd or 4th, it was either $1200 worth of repairs that would take 2-3 days or do the work myself which would have probably taken longer. I didn't have the money and definitely couldn't go without transportation to my job. So I had to part with her. So the F-Body is definitely gone.

Also, I probably should have been more specific in my first post. This truck isn't goin to be for street/strip racing. It's a 4x4 and should be treated like one. She spends more time off-road than in any type of racing situation. She's gonna be jacked up another 8-10" in the next few months. I know that the LS1's aren't exactly designed for that application, but I was just curious about whether or not a swap was possible. Even though the LS1 is more for horsepower, it still has more low end torque than the 350 I'm runnin now. I'm just tryin to come up with anything I can to scald this dawg motor I've got. BTW, the 327 (5.3) swap isn't a bad idea... I'll have to see what I can find on that. Thanks.

 

well one thing I will tell you about swapping in a Vortec 350 into your 95 Truck is going to be an electricle nightmare, if you do plan on doing this, hopefully you are an electricle engineer or know someone that is pretty damn close to being one. For Starters, you will need to scrap the computer in your 95, drop the Key Switch in the column, Add 4 Oxygen Sensors, Key Switch from 96 - 98 Truck, Computer from a 96 - 98 truck, and then get the motor.. If you want to actually make your truck have more power and torque, why not rebuild your current 350, but actually put splayed caps if the block is a 2 bolt main, and build a 383 Stroker out of it and not have to rewire anything.. All you would be doing is just swapping Pistons, Crank, Rods and have change the cam, then you can have 450 HP in your truck all for around $ 2500 - 3500 if you do all the work yourself.. Or you can get an older 4 bolt block and build a stroker out of it while you are driving the truck untill it is ready for you to slap it in your truck.. Personally I would just build a stroker out of your current block and not worry about having to rewire it for another engine, plus you will have more HP and torque then and LS1, 5.3 L (327), or even a 5.7 Vortec for less money and time..

I actually thought about doing this to a GMC truck that I had before I bought my camaro, and I am glad that I did not do the swap since it would have ran me 5K for a new Vortec 350, and around 1500 for a wiring harness, 400 for Dual Cats and 4 o2 sensors, around 600 for the key and keyswitch and plus like a week or more just to rewire the truck since it originally had a 4.3L Vortec engine...

 

Appreciate it bud...... those are the numbers I was curious about. I knew there had to be somebody out there who had considered doin it before I came along. A rebuild/build-up was always in the back of my mind, but that's where I was keeping it. That's probably gonna be the route I go before its over with though. I'll keep ya'll informed. Thanks.

 

I have a '91 Z/71 myself, I think it would be a huge waste to put an LT-1 or LS-1 in a truck like this. As for the Vortec, why bother, you can keep your current engine and put the Vortec heads on it, GM sells a TBI manifold for use with the Vortec heads, this will give a large power increase and is an easy swap. You can of coarse add cam, RR, stroker kit, headers, etc. If you want more. When my TBI 350 dies (if it ever will) I will built a mild TBI/Vortec headed 350, but my TBI has almost 200K on it now and runs like a champ (still pulls the boat fine too). I think the Vortec heads are around $450. for a pair, the TBI/Vortec manifold is around $300.

 

Hey Black Bow Tie, that would be an option for him to do as well but then there is another problem.. My problem is what about some of the Smog Regulations ?? Does the GM Intake accept EGR if he does have it ?? He would be spending heads around 250 - 500 a set (depends on if new or used) and the intake is around 350 - 450 depending where it is purchased.. Vortec heads gives 20 - 40 HP increase.. Not that big of a power increase but the heads will definitely flow better.. Just depends on whether or not he can pass emissions with Vortec Heads ?? And how much power does he want ?? And how much does he want to spend as well ?? around 800 for 20 - 40 HP increase spend around 1000 - 1500 for a 383 Stroker ? To me if upgrades are going to kill emissions then do not do that upgrade...

 

I beleive the TBI manifold for use with the Vortec heads has the same emissions provisions as the manifold it replaces. This manifold was designed for this very application by GM. I think your right about the power increase (30-40 hp), if I remember right, the Vortec heads have a 63cc combustion chamber which also raises the compression ratio. Throw in a set of headers, gasket kit and your $1200 bucks should give around 250 horsepower (at crank). That seems like the best return for the dollar and time spent to me.

 

Here's a link to Pace parts for info on the manifold
http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?0=243&1=248&3=936
It runs $331.80 and the Vortec heads are $499. for both (assembled). Those would make good power on a 383 and it would still look bone stock!

 

Well thanks for the info, Black Bow Tie, that would be the best deal as well compared to trying to install a Full Vortec engine (Engine and OBD2 Computer), even cheaper then an LS1.. Well if I were to do something like that for a car/truck that still needs to be smogged, then I would get a set of either Edelbrock Etec 200 Heads or either cast iron Vortec or even Fastburn Heads (eventhough Etec 200 are cheaper per head versus Fastburn) and build up a 383 Stroker for some serious Fun..

One question that GM still won't even answer, how much HP and Torque does their Cast Iron Vortec's produce versus GM's Fuelie Heads ?? See GM says that they will produce as much as 20 - 40 HP over earlier castings.. But the Heads I am talking about were the 461, 461X and 462 Casting used on 62 - 66 Corvette's (62 -65 with Fuel Injection) and 66 With 4BBL Holley Carb.. The only problem with the 462's that I have on my project truck are there are no Accessory Holes.. Plus my Compression Ratio on them are around 11 - 11.5: 1 w/ Stock 2.02 Intake Valves...