1996 engine swap questions

aaronk89 · 12-03-2008, 10:57 PM

I have a 1996 K1500 with a Vortec 305. I am looking to swap out the 305 with a 350. My question/concern is am I able to just slap the top end from my 305 onto a Gen-1 350 block? Or will I have problems with the computer or other stuff? Will I just have to look for a Vortec 350 on craigslist? Thanks in advance

PAPA BEAR · 12-04-2008, 04:29 AM

every thing should bolt right on but will the injectors be large enough you don't want it to be to lean call the local parts store and see if they use the same part number good luck

Sneakysportsman · 12-04-2008, 05:06 AM

Absolutely NOT! You can't do this and get away with this. Here is a short list of reasons why not,
1. 305 heads are 58cc- too much compression for pump gas on an unmodified computer.
2. Gen 1 Crank does NOT have the crank sensor for injection timing
3. In order to get proper performance a 305 has 3 O2 sensors and a 350 needs 4.
4. you will need to bump up the fuel press
5. You will need to have the computer modified
There are more but these are the basics.

Simply put go back with original, if you want more bolt on power add a super charger.

aaronk89 · 12-04-2008, 10:43 AM

ok. I was having doubts about the crank sensor being able to work. Could an alternative be buying a 1996-1998 vortec engine off craigslist? there was a guy on there in my area with a 1996 vortec 350. If I got a computer for a vortec 350 would this work?

mudseeker · 12-04-2008, 10:50 AM

there's a similar thread like this on here already. a member wanting to go from a 305 to a 350 just like you (about a week or 2 ago). you would need to have the pcm for a 350 flashed with your truck info for it to work. it's not like the old days were everything was plug and play. your truck will not start if it can't verify your vin.

this should give you some insight:
97 chevy motor swap

boatz068 · 12-04-2008, 07:14 PM

yeah thats me doing the swap to the 350. but im swapping every sensor that goes to the pmc to the 5.7. doing the injector upgrade larger throttle body and getting a nelsonperfomance computer .

Sneakysportsman · 12-07-2008, 10:56 AM

boatz068,
If your not opening the bore of the intake just below the throttlebody you are wasting your money, because you can't pass more vaccumable volume thru a specific opening size without resizing the opening to accomodate the extra flow. Hince Restrictor Plate racing in NASCAR.

merlin5577 · 12-07-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneakysportsman

Absolutely NOT! You can't do this and get away with this. Here is a short list of reasons why not,
1. 305 heads are 58cc- too much compression for pump gas on an unmodified computer.
2. Gen 1 Crank does NOT have the crank sensor for injection timing
3. In order to get proper performance a 305 has 3 O2 sensors and a 350 needs 4.
4. you will need to bump up the fuel press
5. You will need to have the computer modified
There are more but these are the basics.

Simply put go back with original, if you want more bolt on power add a super charger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneakysportsman

boatz068,
If your not opening the bore of the intake just below the throttlebody you are wasting your money, because you can't pass more vaccumable volume thru a specific opening size without resizing the opening to accomodate the extra flow. Hince Restrictor Plate racing in NASCAR.

+1

Sneaky is right.

12-03-2008, 10:57 PM	#1
aaronk89 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	1996 engine swap questions I have a 1996 K1500 with a Vortec 305. I am looking to swap out the 305 with a 350. My question/concern is am I able to just slap the top end from my 305 onto a Gen-1 350 block? Or will I have problems with the computer or other stuff? Will I just have to look for a Vortec 350 on craigslist? Thanks in advance

12-04-2008, 10:50 AM	#5
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,376	there's a similar thread like this on here already. a member wanting to go from a 305 to a 350 just like you (about a week or 2 ago). you would need to have the pcm for a 350 flashed with your truck info for it to work. it's not like the old days were everything was plug and play. your truck will not start if it can't verify your vin. this should give you some insight: 97 chevy motor swap __________________ i'd rather be hunting

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12-04-2008, 04:29 AM	#2
PAPA BEAR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: virginia Posts: 131	every thing should bolt right on but will the injectors be large enough you don't want it to be to lean call the local parts store and see if they use the same part number good luck

12-04-2008, 05:06 AM	#3
Sneakysportsman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 296	Absolutely NOT! You can't do this and get away with this. Here is a short list of reasons why not, 1. 305 heads are 58cc- too much compression for pump gas on an unmodified computer. 2. Gen 1 Crank does NOT have the crank sensor for injection timing 3. In order to get proper performance a 305 has 3 O2 sensors and a 350 needs 4. 4. you will need to bump up the fuel press 5. You will need to have the computer modified There are more but these are the basics. Simply put go back with original, if you want more bolt on power add a super charger.

12-04-2008, 10:43 AM	#4
aaronk89 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	ok. I was having doubts about the crank sensor being able to work. Could an alternative be buying a 1996-1998 vortec engine off craigslist? there was a guy on there in my area with a 1996 vortec 350. If I got a computer for a vortec 350 would this work?

12-04-2008, 07:14 PM	#6
boatz068 Full Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 46	yeah thats me doing the swap to the 350. but im swapping every sensor that goes to the pmc to the 5.7. doing the injector upgrade larger throttle body and getting a nelsonperfomance computer .

12-07-2008, 10:56 AM	#7
Sneakysportsman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 296	boatz068, If your not opening the bore of the intake just below the throttlebody you are wasting your money, because you can't pass more vaccumable volume thru a specific opening size without resizing the opening to accomodate the extra flow. Hince Restrictor Plate racing in NASCAR.