Vortec

Can someone explain to me exactly what makes a vortec different from a non vortec.

I just bought a used vortec, so I thought I should know

Vortec is the type of intake.. as the engine pulls the air through the intake, it creates a "Vortec" swirl in to the manifold creating a better disburstment in air mixture, it also keeps the air cooler as well.. The HP differance is signifigant. on the 350 (5.7) pre-vortec the HP was only 220.
The Vortec 350 (5.7) put out 255HP. So as you can see you want a Vortec engine.

cool, thanks. I've got a 99 silverado. Now i just need to figure out whether it is the 4.8L or the 5.3L.

cool, thanks. I've got a 99 silverado. Now i just need to figure out whether it is the 4.8L or the 5.3L.


It's real easy.. Open the hood and at the front of the grill you will see inforamtion about your engine.. including what size it.
That or you can look at the VIN number. Then look in your owners manual and look up the crank case capacity it will tell you what letter is associated to which Engine.

Look though the windshield on the front of the dash on the driver's side. V is for 4.8L and T is for 5.3L

yeah, i checked under the hood. If it was on a sticker it must be gone because I don't see it. Damn truck didn't come with an owners manual.

I read something on a website that the 5.3L has a towing button on the gear shifter to prevent excessive hunting of gears when going up hill and the 4.8 doesn't. If that info is right then I have the 5.3.

I'll check that V/T thing also.

All that Tow/Haul thing does is change the shift timing so that you get a widing RPM range within the same gear under normal driving conditions. it also helps the tranny from over working/heating while towing or hauling

That would be the LS1, and the displacement should be on the air box lid.
I think of the vortec engines as the ones equipped w/plastic intakes, which is misleading. The older 5.7 engines are Vortecs as well as the LS1 equipped trucks.
But yet the first year of the Vortec 4.3 had a cast aluminum intake and TBI (I think).

Vortec heads are by far better than non-Vortec. LS1 is the ultimate at this time. Not to get off of the subject but with basic upgrades, the 5.3 is capable of over 500 h.p.

That would be the LS1, and the displacement should be on the air box lid.
I think of the vortec engines as the ones equipped w/plastic intakes, which is misleading. The older 5.7 engines are Vortecs as well as the LS1 equipped trucks.
But yet the first year of the Vortec 4.3 had a cast aluminum intake and TBI (I think).

Vortec heads are by far better than non-Vortec. LS1 is the ultimate at this time. Not to get off of the subject but with basic upgrades, the 5.3 is capable of over 500 h.p.
Where did this come from?
I beleive the 5.3 has a rounded Vortec hood over the intake , and the 4.8 has a rectangle shaped hood. Rob

Where did this come from?
I beleive the 5.3 has a rounded Vortec hood over the intake , and the 4.8 has a rectangle shaped hood. Rob

Actually the 99-00 V8 engines have the square intake cover and the 01+ have the rounded.

Thanks for the correction . I missed that on the pictures I have seen . I guess little changes like that keep all the design engineers employed . My mistake . Rob