Fitting the engine in will be a big challenge. Clearing the exhaust gets tricky. You really need to be running a shrouded mechanical fan and clearing the fan to radiator and engine to firewall can also be tough.
I fit mine in a unique way. I completely removed the unibody frame channels through the engine compartment and removed the front cross member. I fabricated a complete ladder subframe. This freed up all kinds of space side to side and front to rear and the fit is still fairly tight.
I also had to hammer clearance the firewall and tranny tunnel quite a bit.
Can you do a Vortec 383??? I'm not real familiar with the fuel-air managment system on a Vortec but I know that modifying the displacement on non-MAF (Mass-Air-Flow) controlled vehicles can cause re-programming nightmares. Usually if it is a MAF system, the computer has enough tolerance to adjust for the additional displacement. Why not just the Vortec 350? Still lots and lots of power there?
Ofcourse, if you know this won't be a problem, then pay no attention to my concerns. I'm truly asking because I don't know a lot about the Vortecs. I do know the vortec exhaust monitoring system gets complex - something like 5 sensors in the exhaust. Wow!
The task is not small. There are approximately a billion different things you'll need to address - but that's just an estimate
. And essentially all of them will need to be solved by yourself using custom fabricated parts and solutions. There is no kit or cook book to follow. I think you'll love the results but be sure you're prepared for the journey before you begin.
If it were me doing it working weekends and nights here and there, I'd estimate it to be a 4-6 month project and probably cost about $1.5K to $2.5K above and beyond the drivetrain/computer/harness costs (Driveshafts, rear axle, power steering hoses, accessory brackets, headers, radiator, etc).
I like these kind of projects and applaud you for undertaking it!
:yelclap: :yelclap:
