87 350 tbi engine id

[vanman]

i need to know the specs on an 87 5.7 sbc anybody know where i can specs for this engine based on engine codes

[res ipsa]

87 sbc v8 with TBI is definitely not from a passenger car; cars with v8 got TBI first in 1989 model year (example: Caprice). So if it's really an 87 sbc engine with TBI, then it's a truck engine and it will have a flat tappet cam (trucks didn't get roller cam until 1996 model year). I don't remember the break point (yearwise) for self-aligning rocker arms so you'll have to look under the valve cover for guide plates.

It would help to have an engine code (from the VIN), or the block casting number, and head casting numbers.

[vanman]

engine code 638(has v0721tpa on block as well)
heads 14102193
any opinions on if its worth building to around 400hp
i plan on switching to carb

[res ipsa]

Originally posted by vanman
engine code 638(has v0721tpa on block as well)
heads 14102193
any opinions on if its worth building to around 400hp
i plan on switching to carb

193 heads are swirl port casting, and they'll flow really well if you clean up the ports (both intake + exhaust), smooth the sharp edges on the intake port ramp, and backcut the valves.

A Thirdgen.org owner (Fast355) ported a set from a car and flowed 224 cfm intake, 214 cfm exhaust, dyno'd 279 rwhp (around 330-340 fwhp) using an LT1 Fcar roller camshaft, and ran 15.7 in the quarter mile in a 5300 lb Chevy van (G20). To put that in perspective, that's low 13s in a Camaro. He used the stock sbc TBI, so he lost some power there because it showed a significant pressure drop across it at WOT, so there would have been more power with either a carb or a bigger TBI unit. His total cost on the rebuild (for the entire engine) was under $1000.

See the main thread here:

http://thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthre...hreadid=283217

You'll have to go to www.mortec.com for the block casting numbers.

If you are shooting for a low-cost build, then yes it's not a bad place to start and the engine should run well from idle to 5000 rpm due to the fast-burn cylinder heads (GM called them that in the 1980s)... but you won't make 400 hp UNLESS you port the heads and use a reasonable cam (something over 220 deg duration). Check to see if the block uses flat tappet (truck block) or roller (passenger car) before you order a new cam.

If you were building something more excessive and expensive then I'd say no -- don't bother with production heads. For that I would suggest starting with Vortec heads + mating manifold, or AFR heads. You will spend more $$$ on these, but there is no porting involved. Which way you go depends on your spend plan and how much DIY effort you want to put in. HTH.