Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

[bruceb58]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

So why are you changing your existing engine if it is still ok? Why not put vortec heads on it and the EST distributor?

 

[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

After I pulled the exhaust manifolds off I found a lot of rust and very small weep holes "rust spots" on the underside of the manifolds so in the bin went the manifolds and I purchased some new ones, so I could imagine what the inside of the engine looked liked, I wont lie the motor ran great though, it didn’t have a heat exchanger on it and that was a concern. So I decided do it right the first time and I wont have to stress later down the track. I will put the old engine on Ebay and hopefully get a few dollars back.

I Think what Don S say"s is correct Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time,
But always enough time to do it again?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

An engine can outlast countless manifolds. Our family had a 5.0L engine used almost exclusivley in salt water with over 1000 hours on it and still going strong. Your current engine would probably outlast the sterndrive and the boat.

And if something eventually happens to the block, you take off the Vortec heads and the intake and buy a short block.

 

[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

The new transplant is now complete, I have installed a brand new 5.7 litre vortec engine, I had to change the inlet manifold to a 8 bolt set up so I could fit the 4 barrel Rochester, I also had to change the flywheel to suit the starter motor. I changed the ignition system to EST set up and what a change that was no more ESA module or over-stroke switch, it now operates on the interrupter switch and shifts so easy its not funny. While the drive was out I also changed the gimbal bearing, the 2 universals the shift cable original of course and bellows. I also did a pressure test on the drive and that also passed the test with flying colours. I invested in a new set of manifolds and a OMC206 heat exchanger. Now that’s all done its time for the water test, just very briefly went to WOT and reached 5000 rpm and travelling at 60 mph what a difference a new motor makes, runs great and now its time to run it in and nothing over 3000 rpm for the next 10 hours. It took a while but it was all worth it and very pleased with the end result.

I also removed the "Y' pipe and plated the outlet off at the drive and it now sound great with a 4" twin exhaust system that runs at 45 degree angle from the risers with a sharp left wrapped around the battery carrier and out at the transom below the water line.

Its not what I originally set out to do but I'm really happy with the result.

 

[coostv]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

Any pictures of this new set up installed in the boat?

 

[watersport202]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

I repowered from a 1981 Chevy 305 to a Vortec 5.7 and a Holley Fuel injection and HEI electronic distributor.

Best thing I ever did for my 1981 24' Skipjack. 30 % less fuel consumption and almost double the power. Finding all the pieces to get a 4-bolt crate engine with 20K miles I pulled from a wrecked truck was a real research project but having done so I am thrilled with the instant starts and the fantastic performance. When I pop up to Lake Tahoe at 6,000 ft elevation the engine continues to run like a champ unlike the prior carb engine. I also spent countless hours getting the fuel map for the injection dialed in as none of the standard profiles were even close. Quite an education!

 

[Black as]

Re: Upgrading from a 350 chev to a fuel injected 5.7 lit ?

Yes I will post pictures within the next week or so.