TBI vs Vortec

[cjman250]

I vote vortec for a few reasons, more power, more torque, better economy, and I prefer the interior in those years 96-98. My truck is tbi and there's nothing wrong with it, but I like the vortec better.

 

[Z Fury]

To an unbiased person, Vortec vs TBI is a no brainier. Vortec wins easily.

- Vortec has 45 more HP
- Vortec has 30 more LB FT of Torque
- Vortec has better gas mileage
- Vortec has OBDII
- Vortec has better heads, cams, injection

- TBI has slightly cheaper parts.
- TBI is slightly easier to work on.

Pretty much this. I've owned both, and the Vortec has been a lot better for all reasons. On a day-to-day basis, the extra power is easily notices and the MPGs are just as terrible.

 

[ccreddell]

I, personally, have had nothing but trouble with the Vortec fuel injection. And theres really no good alternative smog legal or otherwise. Other than swapping in a 411, they just arent what I would deem as reliable. So, my solution was to build a hybrid. I took my 90-that doesnt have to be smogged any more-and put Vortec heads on it. Put an LT1 roller cam in it and if I had gone with the GMPP vortec to TBI manifold, it wouldnt be detectable. It will smog easily and ATM, I have the EBL on order to tune it. All that Ive read indicate it should be able to pull down ~20mpg once I get it tuned. Its already pretty snappy and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

 

[mistaake]

I, personally, have had nothing but trouble with the Vortec fuel injection. And theres really no good alternative smog legal or otherwise. Other than swapping in a 411, they just arent what I would deem as reliable. So, my solution was to build a hybrid. I took my 90-that doesnt have to be smogged any more-and put Vortec heads on it. Put an LT1 roller cam in it and if I had gone with the GMPP vortec to TBI manifold, it wouldnt be detectable. It will smog easily and ATM, I have the EBL on order to tune it. All that Ive read indicate it should be able to pull down ~20mpg once I get it tuned. Its already pretty snappy and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

What is a 411? Sorry probably a noob question...

 

[skylark]

What is a 411? Sorry probably a noob question...

That is the last of the service part number for a common pcm used in the LS platform. It has a much faster processor and is much easier to tune as well as having additional capabilities.

 

[mistaake]

All of this Vortec love makes me wanna wait and save up until I could afford a 96+ Tahoe or Suburban. My 96 Yukon was just such a piece of junk though - not blaming GM but previous owners must have not maintained it. Rear end and tranny sh*t the bed at 115K, and that wasn't the only thing wrong with it. Maybe I'll hold out for a 6.5 diesel 'hoe or 'burb like I really want

 

[skylark]

All of this Vortec love makes me wanna wait and save up until I could afford a 96+ Tahoe or Suburban. My 96 Yukon was just such a piece of junk though - not blaming GM but previous owners must have not maintained it. Rear end and tranny sh*t the bed at 115K, and that wasn't the only thing wrong with it. Maybe I'll hold out for a 6.5 diesel 'hoe or 'burb like I really want

I have a dually with a dead 6.5 @ 104k. Get what you want but keep in mind that anything can happen.

 

[thz71]

All of this Vortec love makes me wanna wait and save up until I could afford a 96+ Tahoe or Suburban. My 96 Yukon was just such a piece of junk though - not blaming GM but previous owners must have not maintained it. Rear end and tranny sh*t the bed at 115K, and that wasn't the only thing wrong with it. Maybe I'll hold out for a 6.5 diesel 'hoe or 'burb like I really want

Hold out 4 a 6.5? Thats backwards lol

 

[mistaake]

Hold out 4 a 6.5? Thats backwards lol

I've always wanted a diesel... I like the 6.5 because I can get it in an SUV. If I went Duramax I'd have to go for a Crew Cab, and that combo doesn't come cheap! Ford's Powerstroke 7.3 is good too but it's not a Chevy An added bonus is that I can be smog exempt in California with a pre-97 diesel.

 

[James Hart]

voted TBI, loved the one I drive... picking up a second one truck with one in it.