vortec 350

[73ss406]

need some info, i have a 97 vortec 350 from a chevy truck somewhat low miles, thinking of putting it in the nova,have vortec performer intake and holley spread bore 650 to fit but i dont know much about the newer 350s with roller cams. what would be a good cam for this? 342 gears, above mentioned intake/carb 2800 converter th350, stock vortec heads,headers 1 5/8 2 1/2 exhaust, just thinking reliable, easy to maintain and peppy.73 nova apx 3200 lbs stock lifters ok? thanks

[Shuboxchevy]

need some info, i have a 97 vortec 350 from a chevy truck somewhat low miles, thinking of putting it in the nova,have vortec performer intake and holley spread bore 650 to fit but i dont know much about the newer 350s with roller cams. what would be a good cam for this? 342 gears, above mentioned intake/carb 2800 converter th350, stock vortec heads,headers 1 5/8 2 1/2 exhaust, just thinking reliable, easy to maintain and peppy.73 nova apx 3200 lbs stock lifters ok? thanks

You're heading down the path I did with my Nova. I have a L31 Vortec motor in my Nova as well. The performer intake and 650 carb will do you well. Performer RPM may have given you a little more power, but sounds like you're keeping it pretty mild. I think the performer would be better for low end torque, but don't quote me on that.

As for the cam, you're very limited on the amount of lift your stock vortecs can handle. About .420" lift is the max the heads will handle before you either bind the spring or the retainer contacts the valve seal.

Here's a great article on the vortecs: http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/97458/index.html

And a all you need to know thread on the vortecs:
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56505

If you're set on keeping them stock, I'm sure you can find a stockish cam that will work for you. I'm running a Comp Xtreme Energy cam and I just looked and they don't carry a cam in their magnum or extreme energy line that would work on a stock vortec head. If you're staying stock, I wouldn't worry about the pressed in studs. If you're stepping up the springs, I definitely would.

Stock lifters are fine.

Make SURE you use the correct plugs. .708 reach plugs are correct.

PM me if have need any help and I'll give you my phone number. I've done tons of research on the vortec motors so I think I'd at least be able to point you in the right direction.

[onecarnut]

I bought a 330 HP crate motor, iron vortec heads, from GM, PN 12486041. This may be a bit beyond what you want, but here are the cam specs:

Hydraulic flat tappet cam
Lift 435 intake, 460 exhaust
duration 212 intake, 222 exhaust At 050 tappet lift
centerline 109 ATDC intake, 116 BTDC exhaust

uses 1.5:1 flat tappet rocker arms.

Edelbrock, via email, told me that the Performer intake is better suited for my engine, over the Performer RPM.

I don't think the Performer RPM starts making power until you build up some revs.

[underatree]

I more thing.If your getting this motor used out of a wrecking yard or whatever.You might have to replace the timing chain cover.

I have a 96 vortec motor out of mom's tahoe.The timing chain cover has a hole in the bottom for I believe the crank positon sensor.If this hole is left open I am sure a massive oil leak will occur.Might be able to just leave the sensor in there.I am not sure.

I also think you could probably buy a new cover out of GMPP catalog.The cover itself says replace after dissassembly.So there probably not to hard to find.

One thing that I have wondered is about the distrubitor gear.Would a stock HEI gear work?

[Shuboxchevy]

One thing that I have wondered is about the distrubitor gear.Would a stock HEI gear work?

Gear depends on the cam. You would likely just need a melanized gear. The cam card should specify, if not contact the manufacturer. I would also hope you would not even consider using the stock timing cover as it is plastic, if I recall correctly.

[73ss406]

thanks for the input guys. the 350 is in a truck my brother in law owned since it had 30k on it. he rebuilt the trans, rear end and driveshaft to tow his travel trailer, fell asleep and hit a small tree.i got it from his ins co for 500.00. just getting tired of tweaking the 406 and want something to tool around in so i can finish my other projects.

[Woody]

I had a vortec 350 out of a 96 pickup in my nova for awhile. I just left the crank sensor in the front cover, but you can get a cover that the crank sensor hole is plugged. I had a performer rpm intake, headers, 3" exhaust, holley 750hp. My car ran consistent low 13's. I had the stock cam and around 5300 rpm it would float the valves. It was definitely a good motor and very driveable with good gas mileage.

[veno]

thanks for the input guys. the 350 is in a truck my brother in law owned since it had 30k on it. he rebuilt the trans, rear end and driveshaft to tow his travel trailer, fell asleep and hit a small tree.i got it from his ins co for 500.00. just getting tired of tweaking the 406 and want something to tool around in so i can finish my other projects.

If you do that your going to have to change yer name!:D:eek:

[73ss406]

oops didnt even think of that and im him!!!!!!:eek:

[270win]

I'm running an 86 block with 96 vortec heads. Only thing done to them was the rocker studs were threaded rather than pressed. I'm running a hyd roller .498/.489 lift .228/.228 duration and 110LSA. Comp roller lifters and Comp roller tipped rockers 1.52:1. I'm running the Perf rpm intake and a 750 holley dp. I actually think the plain performer intake would be better. These heads are known for making good low end (tire roasting)torque. It runs pretty strong and is very reliable. Relatively smooth idle too.

[Shuboxchevy]

I'm running an 86 block with 96 vortec heads. Only thing done to them was the rocker studs were threaded rather than pressed. I'm running a hyd roller .498/.489 lift .228/.228 duration and 110LSA. Comp roller lifters and Comp roller tipped rockers 1.52:1. I'm running the Perf rpm intake and a 750 holley dp. I actually think the plain performer intake would be better. These heads are known for making good low end (tire roasting)torque. It runs pretty strong and is very reliable. Relatively smooth idle too.

That's a lot of lift for a stock vortec... you sure they were completely stock with the exception of the studs?

[270win]

That's a lot of lift for a stock vortec... you sure they were completely stock with the exception of the studs?


I know and I agree. I must have asked my engine builder 200 times if he was sure that was going to work. He assured me he had put that combination together with the L31 heads before without binding issues. Of course he also checked for coil bind and clearances etc. They were bone stock and all I had done were the studs. The springs are Cammotion and he did something with the retainers but I can't remember what...Anyway, it works.

I understand the skepticism. Everything I've ever read says not to go that big with these heads so unless you have a REALLY good engine builder I'd stick with that advice.

[Shuboxchevy]

I know and I agree. I must have asked my engine builder 200 times if he was sure that was going to work. He assured me he had put that combination together with the L31 heads before without binding issues. Of course he also checked for coil bind and clearances etc. They were bone stock and all I had done were the studs. The springs are Cammotion and he did something with the retainers but I can't remember what...Anyway, it works.

I understand the skepticism. Everything I've ever read says not to go that big with these heads so unless you have a REALLY good engine builder I'd stick with that advice.

:thumbsup: I never actually measured how much lift I could go with on my heads before I had them modified to accept a .530 lift. I've heard .420 max, .480 from others... but sounds like you had it done right.

Moral of the story is MEASURE TWICE.

[270win]

:thumbsup: I never actually measured how much lift I could go with on my heads before I had them modified to accept a .530 lift. I've heard .420 max, .480 from others... but sounds like you had it done right.

Moral of the story is MEASURE TWICE.

It seems like I read .470 somewhere which is why I bugged the heck out of my engine guy. He was the one that insisted that we thread the studs too. I agree, measure twice!!...at least!

[Nova1963]

I more thing.If your getting this motor used out of a wrecking yard or whatever.You might have to replace the timing chain cover.

I have a 96 vortec motor out of mom's tahoe.The timing chain cover has a hole in the bottom for I believe the crank positon sensor.If this hole is left open I am sure a massive oil leak will occur.Might be able to just leave the sensor in there.I am not sure.

I also think you could probably buy a new cover out of GMPP catalog.The cover itself says replace after dissassembly.So there probably not to hard to find.

One thing that I have wondered is about the distrubitor gear.Would a stock HEI gear work?

I had a vortec 350 out of a 96 pickup in my nova for awhile. I just left the crank sensor in the front cover, but you can get a cover that the crank sensor hole is plugged. I had a performer rpm intake, headers, 3" exhaust, holley 750hp. My car ran consistent low 13's. I had the stock cam and around 5300 rpm it would float the valves. It was definitely a good motor and very driveable with good gas mileage.

I got a 1999 350 Vortec and since the car had fuel injection there is some kind of a "crank trigger" that is on the outside of the timing chain on the crank sprocket. I am going carburated so I no longer need this and I want to run a double roller timing chain.

Does anyone know if the double roller timing chain will make up the difference of the "crank trigger" so that the stock balancer will go back on in the correct spot?

[SeventyNova]

It seems like I read .470 somewhere which is why I bugged the heck out of my engine guy. He was the one that insisted that we thread the studs too. I agree, measure twice!!...at least!

One thing to remember is a lot of stock rockers while called 1.5:1 ratio are not normally, from what I have read about them they are closer to 1.4/1.45:1 if measured. At 1.4:1 a cam that is advertised as having .480" valve lift will have closer to .420" valve lift, 1.45:1 would be closer to .450" valve lift. Find out what yours are by measuring the spring movement before you make your cam selection.

I have run .465" lift with stock vortecs with no problem and .480" lift with a different spring but stock heads with no problems.

[270win]

I have run .465" lift with stock vortecs with no problem and .480" lift with a different spring but stock heads with no problems.

I'm running .492/.492 hydraulic roller w/1.52:1 rockers, k-motion springs and threaded rocker studs...stock 904 castings otherwise.

[Woody]

I got a 1999 350 Vortec and since the car had fuel injection there is some kind of a "crank trigger" that is on the outside of the timing chain on the crank sprocket. I am going carburated so I no longer need this and I want to run a double roller timing chain.

Does anyone know if the double roller timing chain will make up the difference of the "crank trigger" so that the stock balancer will go back on in the correct spot?

I know a double roller will fit, the guy I sold my motor to put a double roller on it. I know he had to modify something in the cover but it fit. I can try to find out what he had to do if you want. The balancer should be in the right spot because if I remember correctly it doesnt bottom out against the trigger.

[Nova1963]

I know a double roller will fit, the guy I sold my motor to put a double roller on it. I know he had to modify something in the cover but it fit. I can try to find out what he had to do if you want. The balancer should be in the right spot because if I remember correctly it doesnt bottom out against the trigger.

Woody,
I would love to know what he did to make this work. According to the information on Summit I think it just might not work with the stock plastic timing cover. I am getting rid of that cover anyway so hopefully it will work with a older Chevy sheetmetal timing cover. Thank you for the help!

[63chevyll]

nothing wrong with the plastic cover.
remember the balancer is different on the 96 and newer 305's and 350's,

[Nova1963]

I didn't know the balancers were different. That is good information! Thank you.

[63chevyll]

the balancers are shorter,
you can install an older balancer but the pullys wont line up

[Woody]

I finally talked to the guy that bought my motor and put the double roller chain on it. I guess the balancers are different like 63 chevyll said, they are shorter. The guy said he ground the the trigger and had to grind on the block a little, he also used the stock cover.

[Nova1963]

Do they make an aftermarket timing cover for the Vortec motors? I really want a 2 piece cover.