80 Monte Carlo vortec swap

[joenovak80]

I'm looking to do a 5.3 or 5.7L vortec swap into my1980 Monte Carlo. Plan on carbing it. Just wondering if anyone else has done it and what its going to take?
Thanks in advance!! 😀

 

[86 Grand prix]

Are you talking Ls series engines or the 90's Vortec?

 

[joenovak80]

98 5.7L out of a silverado

 

[86 Grand prix]

I did that swap using a 97. I used the entire long block with oil pan and valve covers. Edlebrock vortec intake, 800 CFM Quadrajet, Jegs headers and dual exhaust. 700R4 and modified my cross member. Naturally I rebuilt the engine and did some HP stuff to it. I had to shorten my driveshaft but I believe I have found us a junkyard swap shaft for the 700R4 swap. More on that after my pull-a-part trip Saturday morning. Make sure to do the coolant bypass so the heads do not heat up while the thermostat is still closed. some people say its not needed but I had wild temp swings until I did it.

 

[darbysan]

easy way to do the coolant bypass is to use a heater control valve from the donor vehicle ( or get a new one for the same vehicle). They had the bypass built into the valve. PN Murray 74781

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0331

 

[darbysan]

Forgot to add, you will need an electric fuel pump and regulator. Also need an HEI distributor. If you used the Serpentine Belt system on the donor, be sure to use the reverse rotation water pump and fan. Probably want to use a Nitride Gear on the distributor shaft, if the engine has roller cam setup. IF you have roller cam, good time to upgrade to an LT1 cam while the engine is out.

 

[86 Grand prix]

You are correct. I used a high volt HEI distributor that is always listed on Ebay cheap. It worked really good. And a serpentine system from an 89 S10 blazer with a 4.3 V6. It bolted up perfect. I lucked out and had a really strange 880 block that came set up for the mechanical fuel pump already. If you se a mechanical fuel pump they also make special push rod that has a soft end for the roller cam. You will have to have an aftermarket cam shaft to have the fuel pump lobe though. I used the hot cam kit and the special distributor gear.