questions about roller cams

[Gramps]

Main part of the video to pay attention to is the Vortec heads which increase hp dramatically over old school heads, and the simple rebuild they did that netted over 1 HP per cubic inch. The EFI Live setup would be an awesome addition but honestly the waterpump, valve covers, etc didn't matter that much to me. Just be aware of the lift limit of Vortec heads, they bought GMPP heads with the spring seats cut for more lift.

I noticed the heads, also noticed that the old ones were cracked in the video, I suppose with anything used, you take your chances when buying it, but I did notice that there's quite a few vortec head sets for sale on craigslist for cheap,

it would certainly be cheaper than trying to beef up the engine I have now, hell, you can get the whole damn engine with the roller cam setup for less then what the cam alone would cost for my engine.


Reflecting back on hotrodPC’s last post, if I were to buy a vortec engine, if I understand you correctly, I want one that’s 96 or newer?

And from the comments I’m seeing here, it sounds like I could use one of those vortec engines with my intake and carburetor and hei distributor and it would run just fine?

At some point I’ll buy and build one, so I might as well get myself educated on it now, just in case a good deal comes along that I can snatch up .

 

[bucket]

Even if you go with a later Vortec motor, you will still need to replace the cam. No sense in leaving more power and efficiency on the table. And if the lifters have many miles on them, they should be replaced too.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Reflecting back on hotrodPC’s last post, if I were to buy a vortec engine, if I understand you correctly, I want one that’s 96 or newer?

And from the comments I’m seeing here, it sounds like I could use one of those vortec engines with my intake and carburetor and hei distributor and it would run just fine?

98 was the beginning of Vortec engines in trucks I believe. Some cars in 96 were running L31 (Vortec).

You can't use your intake but you can get one to adapt from the Vortec heads from aftermarket manufacturers.

 

[bucket]

98 was the beginning of Vortec engines in trucks I believe. Some cars in 96 were running L31 (Vortec).

You can't use your intake but you can get one to adapt from the Vortec heads from aftermarket manufacturers.

It was '96 for the trucks. Cars never got the L31, it was the LT motors at that time.

 

[HotRodPC]

Yup 96. Trust me. I had to have one and bought it as soon as they hit the lot. Had to have a 95 for the new dash change, then a 96 for sure for the Vortec change.

I remember taking a 96 for a test drive. I came back and the salesman says, So what did you think, will this one work? I said NOPE, I need one with Locking Differential !!! Found 2 on the lot equipped identical with Locking Diffl. One in Red, one in Indigo Blue. Told the salesman, get me the keys to the Red one. He says, but I thought you wanted to Indigo Blue? Well yeah I do, so I'll be buying the Blue one If this test drive in the Red ones goes like I hope it does. Then he says, well then let me get the keys to the Blue one. I said NO, if I buy a new truck, I want new tires, and these tires won't be new when I get done with my test drive. He laughed and said, OK, I don't think I want to go on this **** drive either. I said, NO you don't. I did buy the Blue one that night.

 

[crazy4offroad]

It was '96 for the trucks. Cars never got the L31, it was the LT motors at that time.

My bad, you are correct.