5.0 VS 5.7 pros and cons

[herefordman]

I'm considering swapping the engine in my truck as its getting old and probably isn't going to last forever, its at 300,000k now and I'm sure the clock is ticking.
My question is, is 1999 the cutoff year that a 5.7 Vortec is still the same as in '97 ?
And is there any physical difference that anyone knows of not to use a 5.7 instead of the original 5.0 ??
Mine is the "M" code 5.0 and the 5.7's I've seen are "R' code.
In the book its only lists another 25 HP so not sure the change is worth it anyways, but the torque curve is better.

[GMMerlin]

Externally the 5.0 and 5.7 are the same.
You will notice the difference that extra .7 liters will give you in preformance..especially in towing and hauling

[herefordman]

I have the opportunity to but a 5.7 out of a burnt Yukon for a fair price so I will have to use my intake and distributor etc.
So think I'll see if I can have a look at it this weekend, thanks Merlin.

[herefordman]

I passed on the burnt Yukon motor, it didn't look just burnt, it also looked plenty worn out before it burnt, my guess is somebody wanted a new truck courtesy of the insurance company.
I did buy a low mile (59km) 5.7 out of a wrecked 99 Suburban, very clean and a perfect donor. Now I just have to book some time off over the next month or so to put it in !!! Haa!! Haa!!

[herefordman]

Thanks Merlin, I finished putting in the 5.7 last week and am really happy with the way it runs, a healthy 5.7 is a much better runner than a tired 5.0 !!!
You were right, the difference is very noticeable.

[mike123]

are all the 5.7's in GMC counter parts all the R code? im tryin to get a long block for my 87 camaro , and im tryin to find a little more about them

do you guys have any suggestions on wheres the best place to get one or what to look for , or even a good price for one

[herefordman]

They're all "R" code for 5.7, and "M" code for 5.0
These are Vortec Fuel injected engines and I'm not sure if your car computor setup would be able to support the fuel injection system, an older style 350 maybe a little easier to deal with.
I'm not real sure, but I understand the older intakes don't fit the Vortec heads, maybe anybody else aware of that ?

[mike123]

well the engine will be rebuilt if i have to ill get a new manafold and intake , but your saying there might be a problem if im tryin to go with a carb setup?

[herefordman]

Almost forgot, they're easy to get in wrecking yards, and run anywhere from about $900. to $1800. depending on condition.
Mine was only a long block without an intake or any add on stuff, just block and heads, and was $975. plus a $200. core deposit which I got back when I dropped off my old engine.

[herefordman]

Maybe a problem with the old style carb manifold and the Vortec heads, I saw an episode of American Hot Rod just last week where they found out the intake needed to be about 1/2" wider and nobody sold a carbureted intake for the fuelie type heads.

[herefordman]

Just dawned on me, the bolt pattern is different on the Vortec intake than the old style 350, the bolts go straight down instead of at an angle the same as the head surface, and they're in a different position.

[mike123]

what would be needed to get this to work in a 87 camaro(z28 305carbed) , new manafold and intake?

[herefordman]

If you can find somebody who makes a manifold that fits the Vortec heads then your in business I guess, otherwise I guess you make your own if you really want carbs, know how to TIG Stainless tube ? That would look awesome. Or better yet you find somebody who really knows their electronics and install the computor and the factory fuel injection setup, check out the hundreds of Hot Rodder type magazines I'll bet there are wiring kits out there already.

[radioman2002]

Sounds like a quite knowlegable crew here. Maybe you can shed some light on my project car. I have a 1999 5.7l Tahoe Police Intercepter. At 165k the motor is knocking, and is in need of replacement. I also have a 96 Caprice Police 5.7l LT-1 engine. I have been told that the short blocks are the same? Is this true, are any of the other 5.7l short blocks the same as the Vortec? I hate to part out the motor, but the caprice owes me nothing, and is a lot cheaper than a rebuild or crate motor.