What is the difference between an 1989 350 5.7L and a 1996 350 5.7L vortec is the heads,block or just the intake with fuel injection?
Asked by Teresa Nov 19, 2015 at 11:28 PM about the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 C1500 SL Extended Cab SB
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 1996 gmc Sierra with a 305 5.0L vortec engine I want to rebuild it and
get more horsepower not alot more just for it to sound like it does will be ok.
I have an recently rebuilt 1989 350 5.7L can I take parts from it to put on the
other motor? I'm trying to sell the other which would save my problem.
2 Answers
Big differences, The hole top of the engine is redesigned from your standard 350. Vortec fuel delivery system on that one is a Port fuel injection with a different head design that is of a high flow head compared to earlier years. The Vortec motor comes with a roller cam set-up so the block is a little different than earlier years as there is bolt holes in the valley for the push-rod guide, other wise the same block. You could take a Vortec set-up and put on a earlier block, but would have to use a different push-rod guide set up. Your question is confusing to me as it sounds like you want to rebuild the Vortec motor? I think I get it and the answer is NO, because of the ecm set-up in the 96". You need the Vortec set-up for it to run in your vehicle. Realistically you can do anything but requires a lot of work.
Jcoutlaw86 answered 6 years ago
Actually it will work. I took a 350 crate motor from an 88 and rebuilt my 96 305.had to change oil pumps for the distributor to work nd simply took the 96 ecm and wiring harness and replaced it with the much smaller less complex 88 throttle body controller and harness. Just had to leave the tcm in order for the electronic 4L60 trans to work right without manually shifting it. Some intakes are different though I had to take the straight bolt holed intake and cut them at an angle with a drill bit to fit the vortec heads right. I don't know how different they are but my brother tried the same with a 90 model throttle body engine and eliminate the spider injection on his 97 vortec and couldnt