Need some swap opinions

[duddyhock]

I have a 96 K1500 that looks like it has the 6 bolt intake manifold so its not the true "vortec heads" (guessing its just TBI) pickup runs and drives really well but I don't know if its the powertrain I am looking for and the trans slips that's why its a parts truck (also has title issues).

My other option is I have a torn apart LT1 it is missing injectors, throttle body, rocker arms and a few other things. I was thinking of making it Carb LT1 not have to deal with a few things such as wiring and what not. The LT1 has stiffer springs, .540 lift 281 duration and 108 LSA cam in it, Speedpro Stock bore forged pistons and rods. Also, I would need a trans.

What would you guys suggest?

 

[oneluckypops]

I have a 96 K1500 that looks like it has the 6 bolt intake manifold so its not the true "vortec heads" (guessing its just TBI) pickup runs and drives really well but I don't know if its the powertrain I am looking for and the trans slips that's why its a parts truck (also has title issues).

My other option is I have a torn apart LT1 it is missing injectors, throttle body, rocker arms and a few other things. I was thinking of making it Carb LT1 not have to deal with a few things such as wiring and what not. The LT1 has stiffer springs, .540 lift 281 duration and 108 LSA cam in it, Speedpro Stock bore forged pistons and rods. Also, I would need a trans.

What would you guys suggest?

Post a Picture of the engine in the 96, I have never seen a NON vortec 96.

As for the LT1 engine the ONLY way I would do that swap is if you spend use a carb, with the old style ignition system. I HATE THE OLD OPTI SPARK ****, especially in trucks!!!

 

[duddyhock]

Post a Picture of the engine in the 96, I have never seen a NON vortec 96.

As for the LT1 engine the ONLY way I would do that swap is if you spend use a carb, with the old style ignition system. I HATE THE OLD OPTI SPARK ****, especially in trucks!!!

I will go grab a pic. The truck has 35X,*** and is on its 3rd engine I bought it for an around the town pickup not knowing about the title ****.

Ya that was also my reasoning with the LT1 was get rid of opti spark crap. There has been alot of work done to that engine and with it being aluminum heads and all that I was thinking Id probably make better power that way.

 

[duddyhock]

the pictures are kind of shotty sorry phone is partly broken. I counted 6 bolts on one side instead of 4.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

That is indeed a TBI engine, are you sure your truck is really a 96? You mentioned title issues.

 

[duddyhock]

That is indeed a TBI engine, are you sure your truck is really a 96? You mentioned title issues.

as i said it has 300k+ and on the 3rd engine. Not by me. The truck is from arkansas and was signed by another owner. Well its been title skipping so dmv wont give me a title for colorado since its signed by someone else.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

as i said it has 300k+ and on the 3rd engine. Not by me. The truck is from arkansas and was signed by another owner. Well its been title skipping so dmv wont give me a title for colorado since its signed by someone else.

I understand it's on the third engine, but I can't see someone going through all the trouble of swapping the dash harness, fuel system, and engine harness to get a TBI into a Vortec truck.

FWIW, I daily drive a 95 GMC Sierra, that has the same interior as a Vortec truck, but a 350 TBI, because Chevy never bothered to update the TBI to OBD2, they just rolled out the Vortec.

 

[duddyhock]

That is indeed a TBI engine, are you sure your truck is really a 96? You mentioned title issues.

as i said it has 300k+ and on the 3rd engine. Not by me. The truck is from arkansas and was signed by another owner. Well its been title skipping so dmv wont give me a title for colorado since its signed by someone else.

 

[duddyhock]

I understand it's on the third engine, but I can't see someone going through all the trouble of swapping the dash harness, fuel system, and engine harness to get a TBI into a Vortec truck.

FWIW, I daily drive a 95 GMC Sierra, that has the same interior as a Vortec truck, but a 350 TBI, because Chevy never bothered to update the TBI to OBD2, they just rolled out the Vortec.

ya thats the year on the pickup. maybe its an early series and got a tbi. idk people are ridiculous sometimes.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Well, year aside, or whatever, a TBI swap is about as easy as falling off a bar stool when you're drunk.

What are you wanting to put the engine into?

 

[oneluckypops]

I am thinking the doors are not the original doors, I am betting the actual truck is a 95 with 96 doors on it. Not that it matters but compare the VIN from the door to the dash.

IMHO I would not even consider doing the work on swapping the TBI engine over, may as well get a good Carb and be happy.

Your LT1 motor will make damn good power, If you know a confident machine shop that can modify the Intake for a old style Distributor then I wouldn't hesitate at all dropping the LT1 in it.

 

[duddyhock]

I am not going to swap the tbi. Only reason i was considering it was if it was vortec heads.

The swap is in my 78 c10 with a i6.

Even though there is only 1 option without getting manifolds machined I believe I am going to go with this carb intake for the sake of availability and ease: http://m.summitracing.com/parts/nal-24502592 .

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I am thinking the doors are not the original doors, I am betting the actual truck is a 95 with 96 doors on it. Not that it matters but compare the VIN from the door to the dash.

IMHO I would not even consider doing the work on swapping the TBI engine over, may as well get a good Carb and be happy.

Your LT1 motor will make damn good power, If you know a confident machine shop that can modify the Intake for a old style Distributor then I wouldn't hesitate at all dropping the LT1 in it.

Agreed, scrap that thing and go with the LT1.