85 monte carlo 4.3V6 swap to vortec 350

[Mike85]

Hey guys. Im new to the forum and purchased an '85 monte amlost a week. I have a 350 thats in my old '96 sierra and once i get it rebuilt i want to put it in my monte. My question is, am i gonna run into big problems with this swap?

 

[81Regal]

Guess it depends how much work you want to put into the swap, or convert your Vortec over to carb. The long block will drop in without too many issues.
Unless you are asking about emissions issues.......

 

[Mike85]

I'm not worried about emissions. I planned on swapping the 350 to carberatered cause I figured its a lot of work to keep my 350 fuel injected and make it work with the older car. Am I gonna need a different transmission?

 

[Doober]

Personally I would try to stick with TBI, though it would cost more than just plopping a carb on (still need the in-tank pump because I believe Vortec cams don't have a fuel pump lobe). I think 4.3 throttle bodies are the same as SBC, so you can run different injectors (454 TBI injectors at stock pressure will put you in the 'safe' range for a stock Vortec 350). Run an EBL (www.dynamicefi.com), and a wideband is preferable but you may be able to get away with a narrowband, all depends on what the engine wants. The car will be more driveable all around compared to carb.

 

[87vortecregal]

It all depends on how much you want to put into it. Carbed vortec 5.7's can definitely make over 400hp and 400 ft-lb/tq with the right cam and spring setup. Im currently putting together a stock injected vortec 350 in my 87 regal limited. As far as fuel pumps, im testing out a inexpensive in-line pump made by airtex for high performance high flow multi-port applications.