A few crate engine related questions
hunter4ever12
12-28-2010, 10:05 PM
Later on once I get a little extra cash, I'm planning on putting a crate engine in my 1992 K1500. Right now it has the 5.0 L in it and when I get the crate engine I'm planning on getting a 5.7 L. First question is whats a decent horsepower rating for a crate engine? The one im looking at is rated at 195 hp out of the factory and im planning on putting headers on it and possibly a few other mods to boost the HP a lil. Do you think thats sufficient for everyday driving with a bit of "hot rodding" here and there. Ill also probably be doing a bit of pulling with the pickup, pulling a camper and a livestock trailer with cattle in it. Im not looking for any drag pickup by any means but I do want it to be pretty fast. At least better than my worn out ol 305 thats in there now. Also I want it to be able to pull a decent ammount, I know its no diesel though.
My other questions are since I have a 305 in it now and I'm going to the 350 will I need to get a new ECM or at least have it re programed? Also will the throttle body off of my 305 go right on the 350 or will I have to get a new one of those too?
My other questions are since I have a 305 in it now and I'm going to the 350 will I need to get a new ECM or at least have it re programed? Also will the throttle body off of my 305 go right on the 350 or will I have to get a new one of those too?
MT-2500
12-29-2010, 07:17 AM
Later on once I get a little extra cash, I'm planning on putting a crate engine in my 1992 K1500. Right now it has the 5.0 L in it and when I get the crate engine I'm planning on getting a 5.7 L. First question is whats a decent horsepower rating for a crate engine? The one im looking at is rated at 195 hp out of the factory and im planning on putting headers on it and possibly a few other mods to boost the HP a lil. Do you think thats sufficient for everyday driving with a bit of "hot rodding" here and there. Ill also probably be doing a bit of pulling with the pickup, pulling a camper and a livestock trailer with cattle in it. Im not looking for any drag pickup by any means but I do want it to be pretty fast. At least better than my worn out ol 305 thats in there now. Also I want it to be able to pull a decent ammount, I know its no diesel though.
My other questions are since I have a 305 in it now and I'm going to the 350 will I need to get a new ECM or at least have it re programed? Also will the throttle body off of my 305 go right on the 350 or will I have to get a new one of those too?
Every thing should work from the 305 to the 350.
But.
The throttle body or injectors may be a little bigger and pcm may be programed little different.
I would check what all they have in hp and go around mid range for a long lasting good running engine.
Back in 92 the gas mileage was down on stock engines.
That is one thing to keep in mind when getting your engine.
My other questions are since I have a 305 in it now and I'm going to the 350 will I need to get a new ECM or at least have it re programed? Also will the throttle body off of my 305 go right on the 350 or will I have to get a new one of those too?
Every thing should work from the 305 to the 350.
But.
The throttle body or injectors may be a little bigger and pcm may be programed little different.
I would check what all they have in hp and go around mid range for a long lasting good running engine.
Back in 92 the gas mileage was down on stock engines.
That is one thing to keep in mind when getting your engine.
jdmccright
12-30-2010, 10:55 AM
There are a few variations you can get from GM to up your HP, but none will really pin you back in the seat in the 210-hp 350 TBI base configuration you're looking at. If you opt to keep the TBI (get one for the 350), the best thing you can do is swap the cam and lifters, intake manifold, and headers to give you more low-end pulling power for towing. Edelbrock makes a power package for the TBI, but you can probably find other similar packages from other performance parts. They will also have an updated ECU program for you when you opt for this. You can also add higher flow rate injectors, mod the TBI body for better flow, and improve the breathing with a high flow intake and a cat back system. All that would probably get you into the high 200 hp range, maybe 300 hp.
A better but pricier option is to find a Vortec engine from 1996-98, which starts at 250 hp, and go from there with the same internal mods. You'll also need to change out the exhaust system since the OBD-II system requires dual cats and four O2 sensors versus the single cat you currently have.
You'll have to swap the ECU out with any change in engine configuration.
Finally, you might consider changing your front & rear differentials to taller gear ratios: 3.73:1 is very common and a good compromise between towing and fuel economy, but 4.10:1 gives you more pulling and off-the-line power at the expense of economy.
There's a lot of options...you just have to figure out how fast you want to go and how much you want to spend...both are directly related.
Hope this helps!
A better but pricier option is to find a Vortec engine from 1996-98, which starts at 250 hp, and go from there with the same internal mods. You'll also need to change out the exhaust system since the OBD-II system requires dual cats and four O2 sensors versus the single cat you currently have.
You'll have to swap the ECU out with any change in engine configuration.
Finally, you might consider changing your front & rear differentials to taller gear ratios: 3.73:1 is very common and a good compromise between towing and fuel economy, but 4.10:1 gives you more pulling and off-the-line power at the expense of economy.
There's a lot of options...you just have to figure out how fast you want to go and how much you want to spend...both are directly related.
Hope this helps!
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