Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific Mouse & Rat Motor Discussion & Conversions

heads

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 2, 2018 | 08:35 AM
  #1  
sgtcsersr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default heads

I have a 1990 5.7l that I am thinking about swapping from TBI to Carb. Can the original heads be used, and which intake is recommended?
Reply
Old May 2, 2018 | 12:31 PM
  #2  
biketopia's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 101
From: Warrenton VA
Default

What are you goals with the engine? It should be the standard intake bolt pattern so any intake with a square or spread bore for a SBC will work. That era heads are quite restrictive, If you want to make more more power I'd look for a set of the 96 and later vortec heads, found on the trucks and suv's, in the junk yard or online and then you'll need a vortec carb intake but still everything will bolt up.
Reply
Old May 2, 2018 | 12:55 PM
  #3  
sgtcsersr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default Heads

biketopia , Thanks for the input. The engine is a 5.7l donor from a 1990 C1500, does this fit into your suggestion to "look for a set of the 96 and later vortec heads"?
Reply
Old May 2, 2018 | 01:07 PM
  #4  
biketopia's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 101
From: Warrenton VA
Default

Well depends what your goals with the engine are. if you just want it to run then you can change it over and rock and roll. If you want to make power then I'd look into a change of heads if it were me. I think that 1990 engine is in the low 200ish range hp wise stock.
Reply
Old May 2, 2018 | 01:29 PM
  #5  
sgtcsersr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default Heads

Again, Thanks biketopia
I think that all I would do for now is as you put it "change it over and rock and roll". Your help is greatly appreciated.
Reply
Old May 3, 2018 | 07:11 AM
  #6  
biketopia's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 101
From: Warrenton VA
Default

Originally Posted by sgtcsersr
Again, Thanks biketopia
I think that all I would do for now is as you put it "change it over and rock and roll". Your help is greatly appreciated.
No problem, might be worth it to ditch all the electronics and stick a regular distributor in while you're at it, and eliminate the computer controlled timing. Any HEI or ready to run will work, or get a billet distributor and an ignition box.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:10 AM.

story-0
10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

Slideshow: 10 reasons daily-driving a swap project might not be for you. Or is it?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-17 09:39:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-2
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-18 10:26:23


VIEW MORE
story-3
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-5
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-7
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE