Crate engine? Junkyard vortec? Or something else

[Nitis]

Ok how can I get the best bang for my buck!

The crate engine from jegs looks like a great deal but I think I can do a little better for not a whole lot more money. Everyone says that just adding vortec heads adds like 50 hp. Now I'm not a gear head by any means but with a little direction I can follow through.

So aside from finding a low mileage one which probably is hard to do why or why not get a 96-2000 vortec 5.7 and swap the intake?

If I do a non vortec engine and some how come up with vortec heads do the bolt right on? Or need a special intake?



No disrespect to those $1300 crate motors I know it's a step up from my old tired motor but if I can do just a little but better for not too much more cash I want to.

This is for my 72 k10 with th350.