Vortec swap in 87 Silverado

[jablack]

I have an 87 R10 with a tbi 350 that runs great, but I need more power. I finally got my hands on a 98 350 vortec I'm going to go through this winter. After rebuild I'll get the tbi vortec intake so I can use all my stock stuff from truck. My question is do I need to put a chip in the computer to make it work or will I get lucky and not need anything done with the computer?..

Here's a picture of my truck and the soon to be new engine.

Thanks guys.

[cjracing15]

Don't know if you will have do anything to it other than the obviuos intake swap. Maybe your stock distrubutor. Probably the exaust manifolds. I would get it changed out and get it started and see what it does. Good luck and I am subscribing.

[jablack]

I was going to use the same distributor, along with all the other stuff from the stock engine. If I can find some good headers I'll go ahead and redo the exhaust system too. That's my plan to just try it and see, but I don't like waiting if I do need a chip. I'm looking at that replacement holley tbi. I wonder if it's as good as it sounds?..

[Pop's C-10]

you wont be able to use tha tbi computer with a vortec motor..tha vortec motor use's a flashed ecm & not a chip unit like tha tbi. You can get a carbed vortec intake..use a tbi to 4 barrel adapter & you good. you can save alil coin & have a better flowin intake that you would with that tbi - vortec head intake.

[jablack]

I know I can't use the original vortec intake or injection with my tbi computer. I'm using the vortec long block with a vortec tbi intake and all of the original equipment swapped over, like throttle body, distributor, sensors and what not. My question is will my computer run the roller cammed vortec engine without needing a chip. I know with the older stuff people had problems until they got a chip flashed for it.

[Pop's C-10]

ok, i got you..i think there is a chip made just for this set up..I know you know you would have to swap intakes..i was jus giving you another option to buyin tha pricey tbi intake that bolts right to tha vortec heads..

[okieraptor]

I believe that if you use the stock components in the vortec long block and stock exhaust then no need for the chip. High flow intake and exhaust then it will need the chip. The vortec puts it in the top of the self tune range for the stock computer by itself so anything extra i believe it will run out of control for tuning.
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[jablack]

Pop's I looked into using the tbi adapter and the vortec carb intake. Haven't made up my mind. I like the GM intake because everything will swap over, like egr and what not.

okie I'm not using the vortec computer or injection

[jablack]

Now if I know I won't have any issues doing away with the egr, I'll go the easy and cheaper route with the vortec carb intake with a tbi adapter.

[okieraptor]

I know that. Thats why i said chip. The cam and heads out work and flow the earlier tbi heads and cam. If you use the stock vortec manifolds and a full air box the tbi computer will compinsate. If you add headerz and high flow intake it will be out of the stock tbi computer tuning range.
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[jablack]

It will all be stock 87 stuff other than the vortec long block. I'm looking for headers and I'll probably use some roller rockers. I put roller rockers and a cat back on it when I got it and it woke it up a bit. Still needs more though..

[jablack]

Here's what the engine bay looked like when I got it. I have since brought it all back to stock.