Thread: what motor to use for 1996 silverado???

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I have a 1996 silverado with a 305 vortec. The 305 just went out on me and i've been looking to buy a new crate motor. I was looking for an engine with 300-400 hp or so. What would be my best option ???

go to a Chevy dealership and get a 330 HO deluxe engine, it's gonna run u about 3.5k then take your 305 intake and get all the injectors and stuff to make it good enough for the 350, and then u can put on a bigger throttle body if u wanted, to make around 300 HP. you have to comply with NOX cause of it being a '96 with OBDII, so it makes it harder

What about the 255 horsepower 350 vortec. I believe that is the stock engines that come from the factory. what do u think about that engine for 1,995.00 with 3 year warranty. Do u think that would be my most reasonable and affordable buy? What does OBDII and NOX mean ?

I would advise you to first find out what the emissions implications are in your area of Texas. Does your truck have to be run thru emissions every year or are you in an exempt county? IF you have to pass emissions, your choices are considerably fewer.

Your current engine is a Vortec that has a specific manifold with the injector spider. The manifold fits Vortec heads with the eight bolt intake pattern so you cannot just bolt your injection/manifold assembly to an earlier set of heads. Your injection system is not tailored for a 400hp engine and never will be.... Be aware that this engine is 96 thru 99 (and a few 2000 models) but is not a throttle body engine that was 95 and earlier.

Your easiest route to a feel-good performance is to find a 96-99 350 Vortec engine and bolt it in.....literally a weekend project. The engines are really common and cheap. They are roller cam engines and you can slide a little hotter cam in before the install....no too hot though.

The stocker 350 Vortec engines listed something like 330 hp. There are two basic models, one has EGR and the other does not. The non-EGR models came in larger trucks....if you have emissions to pass, dont get the non-EGR one.

The result will be an engine that looks completely stock but will have more pickup for your pickup. Cheap to do too.

mike in tucson

I don't have to pass emmissions in liberty, county. I was looking at the 255 horsepower vortec crate motor. If get that engine will i have to change the computer on my truck becuase my stock engine was a 305?

Originally Posted by jimmyt

What about the 255 horsepower 350 vortec. I believe that is the stock engines that come from the factory. what do u think about that engine for 1,995.00 with 3 year warranty. Do u think that would be my most reasonable and affordable buy? What does OBDII and NOX mean ?

nox is the emissions, OBDII is the computer, an inspection station can tell if anything is wrong or out of place cause they can plug into the port under the dash.

You can always get a standard(carb'ed) 400HP 350 and give the distributor 12V from the key and a ground. A fuel pressure regulator will be able to drop the fuel PSI low enough to work with the carb. It should run regardless of the computer's complaint, and a piece of electrical tape on the dash will alleviate that check engine light that's going to come on. I'm not that well versed on OBDII, but if the computer gets 12V, you can take care of two problems at once. Since you are in an emissions-free county, it doesnt matter what's crammed under yer hood, basically any engine that will attach to yer motor mounts, exhaust and tranny will work just fine.