I have a 97 vortec 350 and I have been toying with the idea of messing around with it but i dont like the limitations of the injectors..I have not researched this at all, but i was wondering what would be involved in converting this motor to a carbed setup, that way i could avoid the injector probs..I have read before how people are using the vortec marine intake on some apps but i dont know much about that yet.. Any help is appreciated.

 

as far as i know there shouldnt be to much problem with swapping those motors to carb. i prefer a carb free diet but who knows?

 

yeah i have never done one, i know i have found several intakes that fit the vortec heads between $200-250 from gmpartsdirect..the ramjet setup is close to 1300 dollars...I havent looked at the marine intake yet but the carb looks like the route i might go..I can find a decent carb for cheap too. Im not concerned with gas mileage really, im in college and i drive no more than 50 miles a week right now. I have 'plans for a possible twin turbo setup on this truck which is why im looking at this route.

 

Edelbrock makes a dual plane manifold that'll work with the Vortec heads and its pretty cheap as well. I think they make an EGR and non-EGR version too. It should be pretty good in low to mid range power.

 

Mjhoward is the man you need to talk to he had a carb setup in his OBS silverado.

 

My Buddy Has A Vortec 350 With A Carb And Heads, Untouched Bottom End And Is Producing @450 Hp. N/a He Only Has About $3200.00 In The Motor. Good Budget Stuff.

 

Yeah, i have found about three choices for the intake, and i can decide on a carb, what im worried about is most of the electrical probs like speedo/gauges and especially the tranny. Im not sure where to start with that.

 

does anyone know of an adapter for the tranny once the engine controls are removed?

 

That electronic tranny is going to be a booger. I have heard of vacume modulators you can put in place of the electric solenoids in the valve body. you could rig up a TPS sensor on the carb. You could just put an older 700r4 trans in there. You will have to deal with the crucial kick down cable adjustment which controls the line pressure on the 700's. They make brackets to make the adjustment easy though. On my 95 rcsb 5 speed I left all the computer hooked up and the speed sensor operated the speedo fine. The tach will have to be wired into the negative side of the coil. I'd go with a Barry Grant Mighty demon double pumper (mechanical secondaries) 650cfm with a 350 unless you plan on a cam with around 240*+ duration.

 

yeah, the tps is something i have heard of from a few people, i just have no idea how to go about doing that really.