Pre-Vortec power difference?

[Matt06Yukon]

I know its a 50 Horsepower increase for the 96+ Vortec years, just wondering if anyone has any real world comparisions between the both. I have a 97 RCLB truck, freshened up with new gaskets, dizzy and spider assembly and it runs like a beast, I love it. Its no 5.3 of course but makes tons of low end grunt. Can a pre 96 350 compare or surpass a Vortec with some bolt on parts? The difference is in the roller cam, heads and injection correct?

 

[ezdaar]

no it cant.
Vortec stomps it all day.

Pre Vortec heads SUCK!

 

[Matt06Yukon]

No that's fine, I mean even possibly swapping the heads for some Edelbrock's or Trickflow.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

Yes you can pass a vortec with bolt ons

 

[ezdaar]

my reply was stock vs stock,
modded vs modded. well they are pretty equal then as only the block would stay the same.
Comes down to $$ then.

 

[retorq]

I'll put my 95 up against just about any 96-99 Tahoe/Escalade on this forum and we'll see what's up.

 

[Monstar_est87]

I'll put my 95 up against just about any 96-99 Tahoe/Escalade on this forum and we'll see what's up.

Im sure thats all drive train mods... Home made bullet proof tranny by retorq...

 

[SunlitComet]

the diffence is the heads, induction and fuel feed system mainly. there are a number of mods that a tbi can take on but in my opinion giving other fixed points those bolts on wont get you much over a stock vortec. it is better to build on a vortec platform. not a huge cost difference in 95-96 used pricing if hardly any with averaged pricing. most jsut think it is a newer year and not realize there were significant changes in the engine system.

 

[Matt06Yukon]

Yes there's not always much of a difference in price, just not alot to choose from sometimes so I find myself considering the pre Vortecs. Surprisingly, the 96+ do seem to go faster than older trucks around here. The search continues..

 

[SunlitComet]

keep the search up and try to find at least a '96. and if you want an auto4wd auto-trac system at least a '98. a '97 will get you a passenger airbag if you want.