definitely do some type of LS swap. It will be way better than a tbi engine in every aspect. No matter what you do to a tbi engine it is still a primitive tbi engine.

 

Go with an LS. I'm sure your TBI setup moves out very nicely, but the LS engine has so much more to offer and the current aftermarket is full of speed parts for these modern engines.
Good luck!

 

If the cam is hydraulic flat tappet I would pitch it, and move up to a roller. When you pull the cam there should be something etched on there to tell you what it is. The intake may or may not work with the crate engine depending on if it is Vortec sytle or not. the exhaust will work fine. The stock heads on the bare bones 350 can't handle much lift, so you need to know the specs.

Some people with those trucks will buy the 350HO long block, and buy the vortec style intake manifold, and call it a day. I think the Vortec heads can handle a little more lift.

Or find a reputable engine builder in your area and they could probably build you something really nice for same money.

 

BE WARY when changing cams on TBI engines. The computers get very,very pissy when going to larger cams and are damm near impossible to tune unless you find someone willing to invest a huge amount of time tinkering and burning and wasting chips until they finally get the tune right. The result will be shitty driveability and lousy gas mileage.

They are great when left in stock form and run for many many miles reliably.

Your best mods will come from a extremely mild roller cam// either the older school vet aluminum heads and headers/ or doing a vortec head conversion with the GMPP TBI aluminum vortec intake/ a set of headers and good exhaust/

This is from personal experience back in my heyday forray into GM TBI performance advice.

 

To the OP. Welcome to PT.Net! There is alot of information here and as you can see plenty of members willing to help you out!

No need to generate 3 threads asking the same question; I merged your threads and moved them to this section; you should get the most responses here.

Best of luck to you!

 

thanks guys!, sorry I am very new to all of these threads and everything.

here is my question then to all of you guys. I am thinking of buying a stock 1993 factory remade 5.7 tbi and dropping it in there just to have a good drivable truck, but everyone says to go with an "LS" style motor. what is some good advice too help me make my decision. What classifies as an "LS" style motor? and how much money will i be spending ?

 

thanks, yea the motor I currently have in the truck is a 350 bored , corvette heads, cam, intake exhaust, gearing change, true duals, eci tune. only problem is i blew a gasket and cracked one of the corvette heads. now I am wondering what too do because this block has 150 000 milage on it and I dont feel like putting anymore money into it to fix this old shot out motor up. some say go with the "ls" style motor swap but i have no idea how to go about it.

 

Well, this thread has been mixed up a bit.

Okay, so putting in another Gen1 small block will be easy. Everything will bolt up, very painless. I agree with the cams, TBI likes extremely mild cams - nothing wild at all. Again, it will be painless and you don't have to think about anything too much.


Putting in an Gen3 or 4 engine aka "LS" will be medium/hard depending on your experience. You will have some challenges - getting the factory gauges to cooperate with the new engine and wiring everything to work properly with the engine. I really hate wiring at times, but I know if I was patient I could do this on my 1990.

You will also need to buy or make motor mounts and get a 4L60E transmission, and also verify your driveshaft works properly with the new setup or get a new one.

There are other things here and there, but I want to say the main challenge is wiring. You will also need a new fuel pump.

In the end the Gen3/4 swap will cost more, but it will be badass and increase the fuel economy. It also leaves the door open for more aggressive mods down the road.

An "LS" engine is any V8 from a 97+ Corvette, 98+ Camaro, 99+ Silverado/Sierra, etc. If it has coilpacks, it's considered "LS"

You can go two ways:
1: buy everything new, engine, tranmssion, etc. This is really expensive.
2: buy a complete swap (engine, transmission, accessories, ECM) from a salvage yard. This is very cost efficient and this is what most people do. The lower mileage the better.

If you decide to do this, plenty of people here are more than willing to help you out.

 

good to see the thread was moved and you have received some good input..i say call and find a low mileage 5.3/6.0 with trans and pcm, dish out a little money on a custom wiring harness(save the headache), and follow a good thread of a LS swap similar to yours and have a badass truck