I am picking up a 94 k1500 thats got 89,000 and looks great but has a blown motor. Can I buy/rebuild a 5.7 vortec and drop that in?

 

as long as you get the wiring harness, right fuel pump. the vortec cannot use the 94 computer or wiring harness.

 

it has an older 305 in it now....but I want some more power plus better gas milage (hence the vortec)...are there any mods I can do if I just stuck with the old 305 to make it run better?

 

it all depends on you budget.

 

if i was going to do a motor swap..i'd def. think about 1 of the diesels in the 90s chevys. good motors they last forever plus u ge better mileage out of a diesel but u may pay some $$ to get it plus a trans to fit it

 

awesome idea, and i totally agree, unless he wants speed and performance. i personally would go the diesel route, with 5 speed stick. bad---!!!

 

exactly! the power to haul mostly anything. plus u can get MANY miles out of it as long as u do maintaince.

 

plus, there's just something chicks dig bout the sound of a diesel, and the shifting of gears.

 

Sounds great but the funds are too high...and checking into what they want for even a used vortec 5.7...Im thinking a rebuild now. I was wrong about the 305...it's got a 4.3 with a bad main bering. I have another truck its a 96 chevy 5.0 ext cab 4x4 (1st year vortec)....so im not sure what to do...lol.

I want the extended cab and 4x4 but it has really high miles 280,000...and a beat up body. The truck I just got has a blown 4.3, its 2wd and reg cab, but the body is mint and it has 89,000 on it......The 96 has problems though.....its got no power...ive tuned the crap out of it and its just getting worse. I have to be in 3rd gear at 50 to have any power....the slightest incline kills all momentum...Im stuck in chevy hell at the moment...lol.

 

sounds like decision time. one idea, sell the 2wd as is, buy another motor for ex. cab, away you go. or, rebuild 4.3, or buy another good runner, get 2wd running, sell, buy motor for ex. cab. or, sell ex. cab as is, get 2wd running, sell 2wd, buy another 4x4 ex. cab that runs good.