Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - TBI to Vortec

I own a 1990 Chevrolet C1500 with a 350 TBI. I have been told from a few people that I should switch out my TBI heads to Vortec heads. Has anyone done this, because I really don't want to do much modification. I don't really have the expertise at this point to take on anything to big, but if it is just a matter of changing gaskets and bolts, I can do that. What all would I have to do.

You'll also need the Vortec/TBI intake manifold found here (http://www.sdparts.com/product/12496821/TBIVortecSBChevroletIntake.aspx).

Thats a very good mod to do. I would also get the Holley TBI. The heads, intake, and TBI will really bring that thing back to life.

i havent done the swap, but it would be just a matter of swapping the heads, the correct vortec tbi manifold , and gaskets. I got tired of my tbi and put a carb on it.

This is correct. The heads will bolt on and give a nice compression bump. You will need the vortec intake TBI manifold. Also a good idea to get a fuel pressure regulator and a computer tune esp. if you put a cam in it while it was out. That's always a good idea. The stock vortec springs are max about .470 lift. Anything higher than that and you will need bettre springs and screw-in studs.

Thanks for the info, yeah I think for the money vortec heads are the most practical solution to get some power out of my truck but keep the reliability.

I have one more question though, I am buying hedman headers this summer so if I do the vortec swap will I need to change my headers?

I have a 91 S-10 with the 4.3 and have cosidered doing the vortec heads on it and that was one of my questions. I have headman headers and they will also work with the vortec. I'm 99% sure the same goes for the 350. When you call summit or whoever tell them what your doing and they should be able to tell you.

Yea, hedman headers will be fine with them.

not trying to whore your thread with a sales pitch, but I have a fresh rebuilt set of the 193 tbi heads from the machine shop i would sell for what i have in them ($200+shipping) if you get in a bind. Im not using them as i just put a carb'd crate motor in my 88. They dont have a rep for being a good flowing head, but for my bone stock beater, they work fine. Aslo got a holley street dominator intake for the centerbolt heads too.

Make sure you find someone willing to make you a mail order tune for your proposed changes before you go ahead with them unless you want to get a dynotune. I could not find anyone to tune my TBI Vortec setup and ended up getting a Edelbrock Performer Vortec Carb manifold, and a edelbrock performer carb. Which I was quite happy with and I'm glad I went that route. I was getting 26mpg on the highway with a 6 speed, 383, Vortec heads, and performer carb and that's including some spirited driving!

Thanks for the info guys

No you cant do it, its impossible, you would need to run two Flux Capacitors

haha

I told you lets do it man, I am down. This weekend

Thanks for the info, yeah I think for the money vortec heads are the most practical solution to get some power out of my truck but keep the reliability.

Scrap the Vortec's, and go with a set of ZZ4 heads. Tuning TBI isn't really an issue anymore, just go with an EBL (Click Here) (http://dynamicEFI.com), in place of the stock ECM.... ;)

Down for what? No you cant do it, its impossible, you would need to run two Flux Capacitors

haha

I told you lets do it man, I am down. This weekend

lets crack open the engine man, first big cam install then supercharger