V8 conversion...350 VS. 350 Vortec - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

The Force · 01-20-2005, 05:46 PM

I plan on doing the conversion this summer and I need all the details on the swap. I understand that any small block Chevy motor will work, but, will the VORTEC 350 work? Am I safer using an older F.I. 350 or how more difficult is the Vortec? How complicated is this after the intial install? Meaning how complicated is the wiring harness, will I have to change the radiator, will it be too much power on the stock Toyota transmission, etc? Also, where can I find the adapter kit for the Chevy motor to mount to the Toyota tranny? I am a fairly good mechanic so please don't beat around the bush with replies.... I need ALL details as far as what extra parts I will need, modifications...whatever!

Thanks

The Force · 01-20-2005, 05:50 PM

Oh yeah! It might help if you know what this is going in....1992 Ext. Cab 4x4 with 3 inch body lift. DOPE!!

GregoryM · 01-20-2005, 06:45 PM

Google "Downey Off Road Manufacturing". They've got what you're looking for.

The Force · 01-21-2005, 02:39 AM

Thanks!! They seem to have everything. Still doesn't answer the Vortec question, but, I guess I will call them tomorrow and find out!!

Toydude · 01-21-2005, 12:20 PM

350 carbeurated like in the Formula Firebirds would be pretty good, or maybe the EFI kind that goes in the 90's Tahoes, suburbans, etc. Damn good engine.

alltrac165 · 01-22-2005, 01:55 AM

Pretty sure the Vortec is the same bell housing and engine mount pattern. I think the block is the same as all the other 350's. On the early Vortec's anyway. The new SB2 blocks are diifferent, I hear. On the earlier Vortecs, only the head is different in that you need a Vortec manifold. Edelbrock makes carbed Vortec manifolds, but not street legal? I would use a FI Vortec over an earlier 350 if I could, better performance for the money. Just gotta get all the electronic stuff out of the donor vehicle. Computer, wiring harnesses, and the like. From what I hear, the stock Yota tranny will not stand up to it, so you'll need the tranny that comes with the engine. There's a guy on yotatech that has done a sbc swap. Goes by the name of toy283. Got a supercharged small block in an 84 truck. Pretty friggin cool.

The Force · 01-23-2005, 01:40 AM

I'd would really like to go with the new 5.3 litre Vortec 327!

21 MPG on the highway in a 3/4 ton pickup. The tranny on the other hand is not an issue. The guy from Downey said it should be fine due to the fact that this is a daily driver, not a rock crawler.

alltrac165 · 01-23-2005, 11:38 PM

Cool on the tranny issue. I guess the newer ones are stronger. I'm told the older trannies are only rated 140 lbs.ft or something...
The 5.3 is the new sb2 so make sure the bell housing bolt pattern is the same as the older blocks or that there is an adapter for that block available.