Better choices with standard SBC AFR line. You will be hard-pressed to get anywhere near the power per dollar of a carb when using fuel injection. That stuff is expensive to do, especially with hotter cams and higher powers. So why use Vortec AFR heads? There is a reason why the AFR head selection is very limited. If you don't really need the kind of power the AFRs can provide, then just use the Vortec heads that come on an inexpensive crate engine with a cam that will not exceed their lift capability - they actually are pretty good performance heads. The TBI swirl ports are the worst heads you can have.

But if you want power to move that big old 4WD, why not build ya one of these 383s on your 1 piece rear main seal roller cam block and put a carb on it!! That's the trick setup these days. Mine is a 2piece rear main seal in a little 1989 short box 2WD S10. Eagle rotating assembly w/flat tops, a Comp 274H, Air Gap, 800 Holley DP, and 65cc AFR 195s get you around 480 very streetable HP on pump gas. Comp 276 roller cam you could run in your block for not much investment $$$. Roller cam would add about 20 more HP over mine, all under 6000 RPM with amazingly flat torque curve from 3000 RPM on (near 500 ft/lb peak torque). For me the 20HP was not worth the $600 or so extra to do the expensive retro fit roller. You don't have that problem - only the price of the cam and lifters (less if you want to use stock type roller lifters, or reuse your old ones).

 

Ok, it's not going to be carbed. It's going to be injected. Just not TBI. It's not going to become a stroker motor either. What I have decided to do it rebuild the short block, using the same crack. Shot ping the rods. New slugs .030 over. AFR vortex heads, Holley fuel injection. I don't need wild and crazy. I'm not going mud slinging. Not even going to lift this truck. Thanks for y'alls input but I've convinced myself of what self it going to do.

 

OK - I thought from your first post that you was open to suggestions! You certainly changed your tune since post#6 where you described how you was going to build an injected monster. Still don't understand why you want to spend the money for Vortec AFR heads and why you want to dink around with modifying fuel injection. Believe me, what I described is not wild and crazy. It is tried and true, and will give a lot more horsepower for a LOT less money and remain very streetable.

Nevertheless, as you wish! Since you are obviously still only in the dreaming stage, it sounds like you need to start with a crate Vortec 350 longblock to get where you now want to go. $2000 gets you a professionally rebuilt longblock with all new parts and a 3-year warranty (less than the Holley fuel injection system with ECU). Must people put a carb intake and carb on, but you can put your Holley fuel injection on and change cam to whatever Holley recommends if you like as long as you don't exceed the valve lift capability of the stock heads (cam change will void warranty). You can use the stock roller lifters. The stock Vortec heads are good in mild applications like you now describe. You can paint them with aluminum paint and your buddies will not know the difference. Forget the AFR Vortecs unless you are just flush with extra cash. Good luck. Over and out!

Chevrolet Performance 12530282, GM Goodwrench 1996-2000 Truck 350ci/255HP 5.7L Engine | Chevrolet Performance.