Engine Swap? 5.0L to 5.7L

MikeN · July 27, 2003

I have a '95 GMC 1500 with the 5.0L 305. I *assume* I have a 4L60E tranny.

I am interested in doing a 5.7L 350 engine swap, but have no clue what my options are and what might be needed.

I was thinking about just buying a new crate long block, but would be open to using an LS1/LT1/etc if that's an easy option as well.

Any links or information available on this project?

Thanks!

robsawatsky · July 28, 2003

I haven't tried this but there are at least these points to consider:

1. 95 engine is non-vortec, so going to a 350 (5.7 l) Vortec will be a big improvement.

2. Engine and transmission electronics and computer controls will be a major change, less so if you go with a pre-96 TBI engine but that wouldn't be worth it in my opinion.

3. A different torque convertor may be required on the 4L60E as there was more variation with this tranny but not sure if it was different between the 305 and 350.

4. Engine cooling should be upped, including bigger rad, oil and tranny coolers recommended.

I'm sure the experts have much more to add.

SilveradoWV · July 29, 2003

I had a 305 in a '95 and a 350 in a '91 and there wasnt any noticeable difference while looking under the hood. The radiator and such was even better than what was in the '91 350. The easiest would probably be to get a 350 from '94, and not even sure how easy that would be, I assume not too bad!

americanmuscleman · July 29, 2003

If you buy a short block 350, you can swap everything off the 305 onto the 350, and it will all bolt right up and drop right in. The only changes your going to need to make are... you'll need to swap the injectors to 350 injectors, and replace your computer chip with a TBI 350 one. Everything else is just plug and play. Your torque converter will be fine, and you do have a 4L60-E. Your not going to see a monster gain in power going to a 350, but you will see a small gain.

If your looking for some good power, as mentioned above, you could buy a long block vortec 350 (so you get the vortec heads) and then buy an Edelbrock Multipoint fuel injection conversion designed for converting a TBI 350 over to multipoint fuel injection with vortec heads. They sell a kit for doing this. You'd see quite a gain with this setup over just replacing the 305 bottom end with a 350 short block. If you can't find what I'm talking about, I can find it and post the link.

MikeN · July 29, 2003

If your looking for some good power, as mentioned above, you could buy a long block vortec 350 (so you get the vortec heads) and then buy an Edelbrock Multipoint fuel injection conversion designed for converting a TBI 350 over to multipoint fuel injection with vortec heads. They sell a kit for doing this. You'd see quite a gain with this setup over just replacing the 305 bottom end with a 350 short block. If you can't find what I'm talking about, I can find it and post the link.

That would be great! Basically looking for options since this is a '95 with 170K miles. Figure if I replace the engine, should do something with a bit more power, and ideally not that worse gas mileage!

Any recommendations or information would be great!

americanmuscleman · July 30, 2003

Here's the link: Edelbrock webpage

After you get to edelbrock's webpage, you'll have to hit "Multi-point Fuel Injection" on the left hand side of the page. Then click "Multi-point Fuel Injection for 87'-95' TBI equipped Chevys". At the bottom of the page you'll see the conversion for 87-95' TBI small block chevy's swapping to a vortec headed small block.

I think you'll see a big gain in power with this system on a Vortec 350 long block. If you added headers at the same time, it would probably really make some good power.