what engine is this ?

[Sean714]

I'm trying to figure more and more about this truck. Does anyone know what engine this is by looking at pictures ? Any help would be great, thanks.

[Sean714]

[iowaboynca]

looks like a good ol' SBC w/ Throttle Body Injection. Gut tells me a 305 but i'm sure i'll be corrected if i'm wrong by the more knowledgeable.

[imjeff]

Most everything in the picture will bolt onto every SBC.

[47 Fasttoys]

My guess would be a Vortec based TBI engine around "93 used in trucks or vans of that era. I have the same looking unit in my '46. in my case it's a 350, and no, not all SBC parts bolt together as the Vortec blocks have different intake mounting, center bolt valve covers etc. Very good engine by the way.
Rob

[imjeff]

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

My guess would be a Vortec based TBI engine around "93 used in trucks or vans of that era. I have the same looking unit in my '46. in my case it's a 350, and no, not all SBC parts bolt together as the Vortec blocks have different intake mounting, center bolt valve covers etc. Very good engine by the way.
Rob

My bad. I was under the impression the Vortec heads (which would include the intake, right?) could be bolted to most any small block. I guess I misunderstood those threads.

[mr48chev]

The Vortec has a full circle rear main seal but other than that all early pieces will bolt to the block. It's the bolt angles on the intake side of the heads that is different. I believe that the four center bolts go straight up and down rather than at an angle like the early bolts do.

Vortec heads call for a Vortec compatible intake or a an early intake that was modified to work.

[starterman99]

the vortec heads only have four bolts on each side of the intake manifold. two front two rear and the angle they go into the head is more up and down than earlier heads.

[Sean714]

Thanks for info guys, so from what I take its a 350 vortec 5.7L . So my next question is what's the easiest way to get more power out of this bad boy, different carb ? intake manifold? Any advice would be awsome, thanks again.

[RanchTruck]

Vortec wouldn't have the two middle intake manifold bolts next to the throttle body. So it's a normal TBI 305 or 350 from 1988-95. If you look down on the top back of the engine block behind the distributor it should have the casting numbers and either 5.0 or 5.7, which would be the 305 or the 350.

There isn't a whole lot you can do to a TBI small block performance wise before you have to get into retuning the computer with chips. Speaking of which, what's the part number on the sticker on the computer in the truck?

My recommendation would be leave it be and enjoy the reliability, reasonable MPG and smooth running.

1995 TBI trucks:
5.0 V8 = 175 HP@4200rpm, 265 ft/lb@2800rpm
5.7 V8 = 200 HP@4000rpm, 310 ft/lb@2400rpm

The dangling end of the PCV vent hose there is letting unfiltered air into the intake. It's supposed to be plumbed to let filtered fresh air into the drivers side valve cover.

[Sean714]

Thanks Ranchtruck, I checked the spot you told me, and yep it's a 5.7 liter. And yes the vent was me, I took it off because I'm gonna install different valve covers. Here's a couple pictures, and one is the computer. Thanks for your help, that was huge.

[tmoble]

what truck is that engine in?

RanchTruck is right, there's not a lot you can do with those TBI engines without doing away with the computer completely and installing a carb and distributor. if you have a 4L60E trans that's not very feasible. That's a really good basic engine, smooth, good torque, responsive. Hard to improve on without getting in deep.

[mr48chev]

It's kind of one of those "if it's not broke don't start fixing it' things. As the guys said those engines are pretty well dead nuts reliable and pull a lot better gas mileage than a carbed engine is going to.

[Sean714]

Originally Posted by tmoble

what truck is that engine in?

RanchTruck is right, there's not a lot you can do with those TBI engines without doing away with the computer completely and installing a carb and distributor. if you have a 4L60E trans that's not very feasible. That's a really good basic engine, smooth, good torque, responsive. Hard to improve on without getting in deep.

The engine is in my 52' Chevy truck, and yes it's got the 4L60E trans.

[joedoh]

another vote for leaving it tbi! mpg, ease of driving, all the same reasons. I have seen a lot of guys take something running well and end up with a torn apart driveway paperweight because they wanted a "little more _____" fill in the blank.

what a score, I was saying 305 under my breath because 9 times of 10 thats what guys who hope its a 350 have.

[RanchTruck]

That's a 1993 truck PCM. It's the later more capable computer. It is tunable if you go that route, but it's a steep learning curve. binderplanet is a good resource for TBI stuff, as is thirdgen. So there is a ton that could be done to the engine, but you will have to learn how to manipulate the code in the computer to compensate for it.

Or, you could keep it as is and enjoy.

Your truck looks to have a pretty clean and complete swap in it, so I would keep it rather than regressing by trying to swap in a carb and using an aftermarket transmission controller.

[jjzepplin]

You've got nice setup there. I vote to leave it alone as well. However... pics of the truck are necessary sir!

[Sean714]

Well thank you, here's what the truck looks like.

[jjzepplin]

OOOOOOHHHHHHHmigosh~! Looking for words.........nothing........Speechless.....can't breathe.......

[1project2many]

Hey... that's a nice looking rig.

RanchTruck is right, there's not a lot you can do with those TBI engines without doing away with the computer completely and installing a carb and distributor.

Depending on how much you want to learn, or who you know, there is plenty of room for improvement while keeping the TBI system. I installed crossfire fuel injection in my '57 back in '91 and other than changing computers because I wanted to, there have been no major fuel or ignition system repairs required in all these years. If you're going to investigate making changes to the stock system, you should also check out gearhead-efi as well.

[1958]

Awesome truck dude

[G&R's57GMC]

A set of shorty headers would help. But keep the TBI.

[Sean714]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

A set of shorty headers would help. But keep the TBI.

If I go with a pair of shorty headers, will they bolt in in place of the stock manifolds ? And I wonder if they will clear the steering shaft ?

[RanchTruck]

Originally Posted by RanchTruck

There isn't a whole lot you can do to a TBI small block performance wise before you have to get into retuning the computer with chips.

Originally Posted by tmoble

RanchTruck is right, there's not a lot you can do with those TBI engines without doing away with the computer completely and installing a carb

Originally Posted by 1project2many

Depending on how much you want to learn, or who you know, there is plenty of room for improvement while keeping the TBI system.

I would like to point out that I'm being misquoted here by tmoble. "Retuning with chips" is considerably different than "doing away with the computer and installing a carb." If you are going to modify it, it's worth the time to learn how to burn chips and adjust the tune, or take it to someone competent and experienced in that.

How much have you driven the truck before deciding you need to modify the engine? I've caused plenty of mayhem with a stock TBI 350 in a heavier truck, so it should be fun to drive as is.

[HUSSEY]

Those generation of ECMs use a chip that you have to erase and flash. I'm doing a TBI in mine and have researched tuning a bit.

The easiest route is an EBL Flash upgrade from http://www.dynamicefi.com/. His set up also provides tuning software. There's a lot options out there.