Majoraslayer
I'm Awesome
I noticed over the weekend that my truck has developed a head gasket leak (coolant in the exhaust, hard cold starts, and engine compression shooting pressure into the cooling system). Since I'm going to have everything apart anyway, I'm considering options for possible upgrades to get a little more HP out of my engine. My truck is a 1988 K1500 and uses all of the sensors/accessories for that year, but the engine block itself was pulled from a 1995 truck. There's not a LOT of difference there, but I want to mention it since some of the electronics had minor changes in 1994/1995 and the blocks were supposedly cast without provisions for a roller cam.
For reference, I'm looking at possibly following this guide for suggestions, and it's where some of my info I'll reference came from. --> https://harristuning.com/Tbi/recommended-350-tbi-mods/
I noticed they offer custom tune chips as well, so I thought I might work backwards from setups they use since I don't have a tuner shop anywhere near me for customization.
In the article above, the author recommends either swapping to Vortec heads or using a set of Summit Racing aluminum heads for better flow. I've already skimmed through the thread in this forum on swapping Vortec heads onto a TBI block, and it sounds like a pretty big headache (no pun intended) that I'd prefer not to deal with. Since Vortec heads are also prone to cracking, I'm moving them to the bottom of my list for options. I want a boost in power, but this will be a street truck and I'd prefer to make it as reliable as possible. Reliability may be a pipe dream if experience with this truck is anything to go by, but I'll do what I can anyway.
That brings me to the Summit Racing aluminum heads, which sound like a direct swap. The problem is that the Summit site lists them as Not Available, which leads me to wonder if they've been discontinued completely.
I know there are a lot of options to take here, including custom fuel systems or carb swaps, but I'm hoping to work within the confines of retaining a TBI setup. I'd prefer to keep my factory 700R4 happy without having to pull the transmission and do valve body modifications, since the TBI ECM controls TCC lockup in 3rd and 4th gear on these trucks.
I guess my opening questions are:
1) The Summit Racing heads sound perfect for what I want to do. Does anyone make a comparable alternative to the SUM-162108 heads that could accomplish the same or similar result?
2) Are there any other factory GM heads that would make for a good upgrade, without needing major block modifications to run TBI?
3) If I go the Vortec route, I may cut out the middle man and just get a complete Vortec engine instead of just swapping heads, then install one of the aftermarket TBI intakes. I know this would require swapping my chip (obviously) and my exhaust headers. What other modifications would I need to do? Will the rest of my accessories be able to work around the Vortec water pump, or would I need to run all Vortec accessories and brackets?
For reference, I'm looking at possibly following this guide for suggestions, and it's where some of my info I'll reference came from. --> https://harristuning.com/Tbi/recommended-350-tbi-mods/
I noticed they offer custom tune chips as well, so I thought I might work backwards from setups they use since I don't have a tuner shop anywhere near me for customization.
In the article above, the author recommends either swapping to Vortec heads or using a set of Summit Racing aluminum heads for better flow. I've already skimmed through the thread in this forum on swapping Vortec heads onto a TBI block, and it sounds like a pretty big headache (no pun intended) that I'd prefer not to deal with. Since Vortec heads are also prone to cracking, I'm moving them to the bottom of my list for options. I want a boost in power, but this will be a street truck and I'd prefer to make it as reliable as possible. Reliability may be a pipe dream if experience with this truck is anything to go by, but I'll do what I can anyway.
That brings me to the Summit Racing aluminum heads, which sound like a direct swap. The problem is that the Summit site lists them as Not Available, which leads me to wonder if they've been discontinued completely.
I know there are a lot of options to take here, including custom fuel systems or carb swaps, but I'm hoping to work within the confines of retaining a TBI setup. I'd prefer to keep my factory 700R4 happy without having to pull the transmission and do valve body modifications, since the TBI ECM controls TCC lockup in 3rd and 4th gear on these trucks.
I guess my opening questions are:
1) The Summit Racing heads sound perfect for what I want to do. Does anyone make a comparable alternative to the SUM-162108 heads that could accomplish the same or similar result?
2) Are there any other factory GM heads that would make for a good upgrade, without needing major block modifications to run TBI?
3) If I go the Vortec route, I may cut out the middle man and just get a complete Vortec engine instead of just swapping heads, then install one of the aftermarket TBI intakes. I know this would require swapping my chip (obviously) and my exhaust headers. What other modifications would I need to do? Will the rest of my accessories be able to work around the Vortec water pump, or would I need to run all Vortec accessories and brackets?