Chose between the vortec vs sbc

Justin Willey · May 21, 2023

So from my previous post I'm trying to chose between rebuilding my engine or buying a new vortec and my father informed me the 350 small block is probably bored .60 over since it was a dirttrack engine. This changes things and I believe I'm going to get a machined and make a 388 out of it. just wanted to post a update on my choice

CheemsK1500 · May 30, 2023

If you plan on running a mechanical fuel pump, stay away from the Vortec, since it isn't machined for one. Instead of swapping a whole engine, you could try running Vortec heads on your existing SBC. The only time I'd recommend swapping a whole Vortec, is if your end goal is to have a factory-like TBI setup, since the is set up perfectly for that.

Edit: I forgot about your block being bored out. Like others said, replacement blocks are plentiful, though check for fuel pump compatibility before buying one if you want to keep a mechanical pump.

hogdaddy · May 30, 2023

If it's .060 over now it can't be bored again if needed. Boat anchor.

fast 99 · May 30, 2023

Replacement block should be relatively easy to find. Only issue is shipping cost if not local. They are all over the place at our local pick and pull yards. Saw 2 last Sunday laying on the ground and several still in vehicles.

Buck69 · May 30, 2023

Agree with finding a new block. I would not spend any money on a used one that is .060 over.
I actually have a low hr'd 880 roller cam (.060 over) at the shop that was given to me with a dropped valve. I only accepted it for the Vortec heads.

RecklessWOT · May 30, 2023

hogdaddy said:
If it's .060 over now it can't be bored again if needed. Boat anchor.

Jeez, how many times you planning on rebuilding the same engine? I have like 170k on my original engine. Even if I rebuilt it and bored it .03 over I would expect at the absolute least another 60k out of it if I treated it bad, 80-100 would not even be close to an unreasonable expectation. He's got a good deal on an engine that's been rebuilt already, chances are more recent than not. Even if it's got 45k on that rebuild, it's got a lot of life left in it, not useless by any means. And when it does go sure there's nothing you can do to keep working with an engine that's already .06 over, but then you go snag up another cheap used sbc to swap or rebuild, I know super hard to find cheap they only made like 10 billion of them...

Ricko1966 · May 30, 2023

I agree with @RecklessWOT if it's a solid motor doesn't need bored now,run it,it's probably going to run longer than he'll have the truck and absolutely run longer than any of the O'Reilly parts that are going to end up on it. So what if he needs a new block in 8 or 10 years. And if you run a new Vortec or Vortec heads be warned you probably will have drivability issues. They were not designed for a wet manifold. So add whatever port fuel injection,not tbi, not proflow etc., price to your budget. 1 last thing you are assuming it's. 060 over. It could be standard. .020 .030 .040. You don't know until you pull a head.

Chose between the vortec vs sbc

Justin Willey

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CheemsK1500

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hogdaddy

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fast 99

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Buck69

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RecklessWOT

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Ricko1966

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