Does anyone run the GM Vortec crate engine with factory cam?

[garyd1961]

Does anyone else run the GM 12530283 or 12530282 vortec crate engine with the factory cam?
I have the L31-R with a holley 4 barrel, long tube headers, 2 1/2 inch duels, MSD distributor and factory cam. I like the way it runs and don't plan to change anything.
Every time I hear someone talking about installing one of these motors the first thing they say is they plan to change the cam. Why, the motor runs great as is.
Am I the only one who likes the motor with the factory cam?

[YJ_Aaron]

The stock cams are great for torque and driving. Most I see that swap it go for the marine cam to pickup some higher end hp.

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by garyd1961

Am I the only one who likes the motor with the factory cam?

You can't be the only one. If you like the way it works for you, by all means leave it alone. But down the road, if you want to change things around a bit, cam swap is quite easy. I run a stock crate 350 (260hp), Q-Jet, dual exhaust, re-curved points dist. I really like my smooth idle, great driveability around town & highway. Boring I know, but I'm happy with it.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Depends on other factors too. This engine was designed for trucks with mid 3.xx gears and overdrive trannies. It only makes sense to have a truck that's strong off idle and and makes good torque at 2,000rpm.

For a 67-72 that still has a TH350 or 3/4spd stick and 3.73 gears, they could benefit from a bit more cam. It runs strong as is, 335ftlb at 2800 and 255hp (net) at 4600. That will haul the groceries like mad!

[garyd1961]

The motor in my truck has a lot of power. It's not like my 383 I have sitting in my shop but I'll bet it has 300+ hp and with the torque it feels like a lot more. It's not going to win any trophies at the drag strip but I wouldn't call it boring either. I have left a few surprised looks on other drivers faces when I left them sitting at the traffic lights, lol.

[garyd1961]

Originally Posted by TwoFiftyShifter

Depends on other factors too. This engine was designed for trucks with mid 3.xx gears and overdrive trannies. It only makes sense to have a truck that's strong off idle and and makes good torque at 2,000rpm.

For a 67-72 that still has a TH350 or 3/4spd stick and 3.73 gears, they could benefit from a bit more cam. It runs strong as is, 335ftlb at 2800 and 255hp (net) at 4600. That will haul the groceries like mad!

That HP rating is for a factory set up, with a 4 barrel carb and headers it will make a lot more.
Just figure a 9.4:1 compression 350 with a 414/428 hydraulic roller cam is probably a lot more than these trucks came from the factory with plus the vortec heads add another 30 or so hp.
I have a th350 trans with 3.07 gears and the low end torque gets my truck up and moving but I still have a good cruising speed.
I would like to hear what others think who are running the factory cam.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

That's true. The 350HO is similar but with a beefier albeit flat tappet cam. 333hp. I would think 300 on that L31 for sure. Perfect for an auto with 3.07s.

[garyd1961]

Originally Posted by TwoFiftyShifter

That's true. The 350HO is similar but with a beefier albeit flat tappet cam. 333hp. I would think 300 on that L31 for sure. Perfect for an auto with 3.07s.

I believe these motors are under rated and over looked because of the factory hp rating. People see the 255 rating and then go for the GM crate 290 hp. In my opinion the Vortec motor is a way better motor and definitely has a lot more low end power. The 290 hp version is a low compression motor with a cam that's too big for the compression. It has power at the extreme top end but nothing on the low end.
I planned my build from the start to have power at low rpm, that's why I used a stage 1 intake and factory torque converter.

[Alex V.]

All my stuff has factory cams in it, too - one original, one that I put in to replace a 3/4 cam some, err, less than meticulous? individual put in an otherwise stock 350. That one is the .383/.401 flat tappet crate engine cam that Pace Performance was selling surplus from factory cam upgrade engines for $50 with lifters, and with 3800 mi. it's doing nicely - tuneable, idles smooth which is a plus with the granny low 4-speed, and can get 14 MPG with the 4G and 3.73's in the Suburban. Is the cam in OP's engine the same as the production Vortec 350 cam? I've never had a complaint about how the late 90's trucks ran.

[garyd1961]

It's the same cam. The motor is an exact replacement for 96 through 2000 pick-up.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I'll tell you this. My father and I had Z71 ext cab 1500s with 3.42 gears. Mine was a 96 with 5.7 and his an 07 with a 5.3. The 5.3 was faster but didn't make as much torque. We both towed the same 57 SWB on a long trip and the mpg was identical but the '96 didn't need to downshift for as many hills.

They run as good as needed in a light duty pickup

[garyd1961]

I'm not totally against a big cam if that's what you like. It's just everyone seems to think the vortec crate engine "needs" a bigger cam. The vortec engine has a lot of power as is, it doesn't need a bigger cam. Personally I don't think you can build a better SBC 350 for these 4000lb trucks.
I like them the way they came from the factory with a smooth idle, lots of torque, and the ability to run a factory torque converter.

[noisemachine]

Hey garyd1961, I've been looking at this crate engine to replace the tired 307 in my 70 c10 LWB w/ th350 and 3.07 gear. I agree you get more for your money with this than the 290 crate (roller cam, vortec heads). Gotta couple ?'s for ya: Does the short style water pump fit with the plastic timing cover these come with? You must run an elect. fuel pump right? And can I use my factory pulleys, brackets, and ram horns? I already know I need a vortec intake and newer style flexplate. What holley do you run?

[James the III]

Originally Posted by garyd1961

I'm not totally against a big cam if that's what you like. It's just everyone seems to think the vortec crate engine "needs" a bigger cam. The vortec engine has a lot of power as is, it doesn't need a bigger cam. Personally I don't think you can build a better SBC 350 for these 4000lb trucks.
I like them the way they came from the factory with a smooth idle, lots of torque, and the ability to run a factory torque converter.

The vortec 350 was rated at 255hp with the efi..

I think you are missing the point.. tho..
Most (including me) bought a crate 4 bolt vortec 350 because it was cheaper than rebuilding your old engine.. and got all new parts..
That said.. It is super easy to get 330-340 h/p out of it with the same mpg and oem smoothness..
The g.m. crate ramjet is not a rump rumpity engine.
and the vortec 350 is the base for that crate engine with a different cam and rockers.. and 330+ hp..
350 vortec crate 1919.00
ramjet cam 168.
1.6 rockers 200-250.oo
beehive springs .100.00
retainers 40.00
and now have 330-340 hp and not 225
and not for much money.. 500 bones gets you 100-115hp.. not a hard choice..
My local machine shop quoted me 2400.oo to rebuild my 350 before getting fancy with parts.. that was a stock rebuild and only if it didn't need parts (crank/rods/valves/head)

[garyd1961]

Originally Posted by James the III

The vortec 350 was rated at 255hp with the efi..

I think you are missing the point.. tho..
Most (including me) bought a crate 4 bolt vortec 350 because it was cheaper than rebuilding your old engine.. and got all new parts..
That said.. It is super easy to get 330-340 h/p out of it with the same mpg and oem smoothness..
The g.m. crate ramjet is not a rump rumpity engine.
and the vortec 350 is the base for that crate engine with a different cam and rockers.. and 330+ hp..
350 vortec crate 1919.00
ramjet cam 168.
1.6 rockers 200-250.oo
beehive springs .100.00
retainers 40.00
and now have 330-340 hp and not 225
and not for much money.. 500 bones gets you 100-115hp.. not a hard choice..
My local machine shop quoted me 2400.oo to rebuild my 350 before getting fancy with parts.. that was a stock rebuild and only if it didn't need parts (crank/rods/valves/head)

Where did you get 225 hp from? My motor is putting out at least 300 hp so all you gained is about 30 hp not 115 hp. You can gain half of that just by swapping the intake rockers to 1.6 and not going into the motor at all.

To noisemachine, yes you have to run an electric fuel pump which can be noisy but I have a fix for the noise. I just wired heater fan resistor into the line and it slowed the pump down and now I can hardly hear it. I gutted an old voltage regulator, drilled it full of holes and installed the resistor inside then mounted it so my engine fan blows air across it. I'm running a long water pump but I don't see any reason why a short pump wouldn't work. The ramhorn manifolds will work but long tube headers will add some hp. You can also get some 2 1/2 inch ramhorns which will flow better than the factory ramhorns. Yes the stock brackets will work.
I'm running a 770 Holley Street Avenger. Some will tell you a 600 or 650 is as big as you should go but I already had a new 770 so it's what I used. It's a single pumper and vacuum secondary's so it works just fine.