How to Put a Vortec Motor in a TBI Truck

Was that the intake you had on when you had temp spikes? Man... I better leave mine alone since im running so cool... man I just hate how my intake looks

The intake shouldn't be the problem. It's the lack of a bypass hole in the passenger side head. If you're running fine with no temp spikes, then rock on. If you get a random temp spike, it's a consideration. I've been running pretty rock solid around 186 degrees since I swapped back to the Vortec pump. If I ever have the heads off again, that hole's getting drilled.

So let me get this straight, if I understood correctly I can take a 350 vortec long block, throw on a carb intake with tbi adapter, tbi setup, use my tbi accessories and a vortec water pump and I’ll avoid having to drill holes and temp spikes? Any input is appreciated, awesome thread!

Yes. The only other detail I can think of is which timing cover you would use. If you use the TBI timing cover you'll need to use the TBI harmonic balancer. If you stick with the Vortec timing cover, use the Vortec balancer and reluctor wheel and leave the crank sensor bolted in and unplugged.

Erik the Awful said:

I'm trying to think the cooling system through, but I'm 1200 miles away from my truck for work. My truck ran just fine with the TBI pump for about a week, and then it spiked for no obvious reason.

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I did 4 1/8" holes around the perimeter of my thermostat, running a TBI pump, and an Edelbrock Performer RPM for years and never had an issue.

Also, Edelbrock part number 8032 is an easy solution for correcting throttle and TV cable geometry, I used it on my 94, so I didn't have to deal with the TV, but allowed me to retain cruise and throttle operation.

Erik the Awful said:

Yes. The only other detail I can think of is which timing cover you would use. If you use the TBI timing cover you'll need to use the TBI harmonic balancer. If you stick with the Vortec timing cover, use the Vortec balancer and reluctor wheel and leave the crank sensor bolted in and unplugged.

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So what happens if I use my Vortec balancer without the reluctor wheel? I've got my TBI timing cover on the Vortec block right now.

The reluctor wheel spaces the balancer out. Without it your pulleys won't align. You can cut the reluctor down to fit under the cover or you can run a TBI balancer. Be sure and check the timing marks against the crank keyway on both balancers to ensure your timing marks aren't going to be off.

Erik the Awful said:

The reluctor wheel spaces the balancer out. Without it your pulleys won't align. You can cut the reluctor down to fit under the cover or you can run a TBI balancer. Be sure and check the timing marks against the crank keyway on both balancers to ensure your timing marks aren't going to be off.

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Perfect, thank you.

pieceofchevy said:

which is better the vortec engine or the throttle body engine?

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I've owned both Vortec (a 2000 K3500) and TBI (1990 K2500) engined GMT400s. Both are good engines. The Vortecs do make more power and seemed to run smoother in cold weather startups, due to their more advanced fuel injection.

The TBI is more old-school, with a round, metal air filter housing. It has a metal, versus plastic, intake manifold. It's simpler to work on. Mine has excellent throttle response and is fine driving around town, but has less highway acceleration than my Vortec did. The TBI also seems to take a bit longer to settle down to a lower idle in cold weather.

Of the two, I prefer the 1990 TBI truck, just because it's a bit more nostalgic.