engine swap help
 

I have a 98 CHEVY truck 1500 2wd it has a 305 vortex engine. My problem is I'm in construction and I need to haul loads occasionally and I also use truck to put my boat in the water. It seems to be really hard on engine and I would like more power.I don't have a lot of money to go buy create 350 and have computer reprogrammed but I do have access to a old school 350 block (Was thinking of using 305 vortex top end on) or a 2001 CHEVY donor truck with 4.8 engine (trucks been t boned but is complete)I know 4.8 is a smaller motor but from what I've read on specs it way out performs 5.0 what should I do? Thanks

Well I would lean towards the older 350, but then you have issues with the transmission bolting to the block the in 87 GM changed the bolt pattern on the rear of the block.

The 4.8 L and the 5.3 L are smaller truck versions of the LS1 and were designed to replace the 305 and the 350 in trucks. Both the 4.8 L and the 5.3 L share the same engine block, heads (upper end) and as they share architecture, parts interchange freely between these engines and other variants in the LS family.

Years: 1996-2003 The Vortec 5000 L30 is a V8 truck engine. Displacement is 5,013 cc, (305.9 cubic inches). Bore is 95 mm (3.7 in), stroke is 88.4 mm (3.5 in). The compression ratio is 9.1:1.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference">[12]</sup> It is a based on the Generation I small-block from Chevrolet. It was replaced by the 4.8 L 4800 LR4 for the 2003 full-size vans. In van configuration it produces 220 hp (164 kW) net flywheel at 4,600 rpm and 290 lb·ft (393 N·m) net flywheel torque at 2,800 rpm. The engine uses a hydraulic roller cam and high flowing, fast burn style vortec heads. Differences include bore and stroke, intake valve size, and smaller combustion chambers.


Source: Chevrolet small-block engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I really don't know but it sounds like worth a try.