Big block questions

[79c25]

Ok so I was thinking that I eventually want to put a 6.0 ls in my C25 but that's a good ways off and for now I will settle for vortec technology if it's possible on the older block. I know I will probably need the whole top end, fuel system and pcm. Basically what I'm asking is is it doable and would it do me any good, milage and power wise? Thanks engine needs a complete rebuild as it sits now I'm just looking for options. The milage is just to make my wife happier.

[Pondscum]

Can't help you on the interchange between the vortecs and the older engines. But in my 98 k2500 I get 12mpg and it will keep with the factory diesels pulling a trailer. I'm running 305/70's with a 3 in body lift and 3.73. I would suspect that you could do better than that mileage wise and have plenty of power.

[79c25]

Well since my engine needs rebuilt I might be money ahead to get a whole engine from the junkyard and rebuild that one or even see about trading my engine for one. I just don't know. Hopefully someone who has done this before will chime in with an answer.

[Pondscum]

From what I have read you can use the vortec heads on your engine. As far the the intake goes from what I have seen the intake should bolt right on. The only things I would do is block off the egr port replace the injectors with a set from five 0 motorsports, and get the pcm tuned to match what you have done. Oh and run the 180 deg thermostat as it makes a big difference in performance when it warms up.

[95 S_Trucker]

Don't get the red ones from five o. The factory retainers cannot be re used. I had an injector slide out of the fuel rail and deeper into the intake manifold. It pumped about 5 gallons of fuel out in 6 minutes of driving. Now I have OE injectors on it again.

I would get factory replacements that you can use the retainers on. Also replace the FPR.

All that info is if you keep the fuel injection.

[79c25]

I plan on keeping the fuel injection and was actually planning on replacing the injectors and regulator as well. I've read somewhere that I need a conversion gasket for the heads, I hope it's wrong but who knows. Hopefully I can do this after uncle Sam pays me this spring.

[Pondscum]

I may be wrong but isn't the valve train on the vortecs non adjustable from the factory? It may be cheaper and easier to go with an older small chamber head or a new set of pistons if you were wanting to raise compression. Plus with the older heads you wouldn't have to worry about special head gaskets and sealing issues.

[79c25]

Not really looking to raise compression, just wanting fuel injection which I may end up waiting on anyways. I keep going back and forth and up and down on it all.