350 Chevy Cheap Power! Parts List for L31 Budget Build 

this man is the sloppy of SBCs. I love it and im here for it. I have a 350 vortec OBS truck i wanted to LS swap, but seeing the digleball and budget 350 builds maDe me realize i dont have to swap shit.

I COULDNT LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS ANY MORE THAN I DO- BUT THIS ONE IVE WATCHED 6 times, just to brain burn it in!!!! THANKS PAT!!!! YOU ARE THE GOAT!!!

Hey man I really appreciate your videos. Seems most guys are posting 10k$ builds and trying to use the wow factor as click bait. You do a fantastic job of explaining everything and showing realistic builds for the regular guys budget. Pretty awesome to have a set up for 1500-2000 bucks that will mop the floor with most other street cars. I have an 82 trans am and been kicking around different ideas of what to do with it and you have answered that question. Since watching your videos I have bought 3 L31’s for this project and future projects. Thank you for showing realistic builds and putting smiles on faces of normal guys like me.

I have this exact engine setup in a 86:astrovan with 88 700r4 and 410 posi 20mpg low 12s with loaded minivan...a blast to drive very cheap build ...

Hey man, i basically followed this build to a T in my 97' k2500, and it absolutely rips. Thank you for the in depth videos, and im glad you know more than me haha.

L31 vortec is a gold mine for any hotrod . Simple changes it is a reliable potent engine. Just bought a new L31 from GM. Cam swap and spring change .

400 engine would be cool

Appreciate ur work for supporting us poor boys

Another excellent tutorial. I thought I was the only one being cheap by cutting down the wheel for a balancer spacer. By the way the summit brand sbc bearings are king also and are very nicely priced. I am currently doing a engine using the summit 8801 cam. This cheap combination requires a 350 block with a very good bore and summit 4” bore 383 pistons ( 377 ci ) $159 per set. Crank is a low dollar cast pro comp that came with a set of cheap forged rods. Scat would be better but this is Australia and good stuff can be expensive. I can balance the pistons and rods myself but the crank balance is close to $400 here. I am using a milder cam to keep the revs down because of the external balance. I will probably use the vortec heads modified as you have shown us. I was in the US recently and got the pistons, cam , and two sets of summit beehives ( no retainers at the time)several sets of summit bearings. I also bought four sets of engine tech rings per your advice that they are actually Hastings. $50 a set ( au $75 ) instead of the usual $200 + a set for Hastings here. I was sweating going through customs but they weren’t too worried. The intake is a Chinese rpm copy I can get locally for $200 au and are a nice casting.I am hoping for 400 hp and a good torque number. I am aiming for a $3000 au all up price ( I live in hope ).Thank you for all the great advice and do keep it up please.

I took my L31 lifters apart and cleaned everything. Pretty easy to do and gives you a good sense of confidence after. Obviously couldn't take the rollers apart but they worked smoothly.

Bad ass parts list I have a 2000 350 vortec 4 bolt main .. I want keep all stock just cam it up n convert to carb I’m going to look into the parts u mention … thanx

Great build! I love the way you give all the part numbers and explain why you choose them looking forward to more testing and builds!

I say do a 400 build l love the 400 i have one in my 67 camaro its like a big block with out the weight again nice job Pat 👍

The amount of info you share is awesome man. Keep it up.

i think stick with the 350 builds to compare apples with apples, Great job Pat......Thanks

Would love to see a 400 build. I have one in a Chevelle with heavily worked 041X heads that did 445HP and 499TQ on the dyno with an Isky 280 Mega flat tappet. Lots of fun with the Autogear Muncie M22Z. Big torque available with the 400 and lots of guys say they overheat but they don’t with a proper cooling setup.

Great video sir! Great that you explain what you used, why, the part numbers and prices. This way of presenting the information allows the backyard novice engine builder the best opportunity for success.

350 vortecs are so slept on! im pretty sure this would make quite a few ls swappers mad

The high rpm motor would be great for us street stock guys The base motor is great Finally someone makes a video about part numbers and pricing at the time… Everyone builds their motors but never talk true costs

I built a really decent 355 Chevy back in 07 with #062 L31 vortec heads 0.015 gaskets 9.78:1 comp. With LS 6 valve springs comp cams 1.52 self aligning rockers , Rhoads lifters , Crower ultra beast # 15917 cam , 474int., 498exh. Dur. 214,224 @0.50 , edelbrock RPM airgap , HOLLEY 4779-S 750CFM carb , and 1 inch carb spacer , 1 7/8 headers H pipe 2.5" chamber mufflers, vehicle 87' Monte SS , precision industries 2500rpm stall in a TH200R4 transgo shift kit, Ford 9" 4.11 gears Hotchkiss Control arms ,this car ran consistently @ high 11's low 12's , I miss the car and really wish i never sold her ,VORTECS ARE KING FOR THE STOCK CHEVY HEAD💪👍

Great info Pat, I'm going with +.050 keepers, Summit 1.6 non self aligning rockers, Comp 787-16 retainers, adjustable guide plates and ARP studs. I've not accurately measured the installed height yet, but its very close to 1.800". As per usual I'm waiting on parts before I can continue the build. Looking forward to more interesting and useful content. :-)

400 would be awesome! I have a complete 400 sitting on the the stand with a set of vortec heads to go on it, so hell yeah!

I have a couple 400 short blocks that I wanted to bore .010 over and run with Vortec’s and 5.7PM rods and KN pistons. I’d like to run a roller, should be a pretty potent motor. Right now just have to push a couple LS’s out of the way.

Great content as always Pat. You just had to put those teaser parts over there on the side. Anxiously waiting for the next video.

found Chevy and Hotrod magazines from the early to mid 2000s. long story short, i coped an engine build with aluminum VT heads, i did some head work knocking off the ruff areas and increasing the left. i used single relief valves clearance pistons when the book used dual. book said 425, but i never dyno'd it

Wow my budget is $2500 and you're almost $1000 dollars below that thanks for the part list im definitely copying this build for my IROC

I’ve spent the last 3 months building an 880 block to your exact parts list and using the 8802 cam! Motors getting dropped in this weekend . Ordered a 2200 stall converter hopefully enough

I got an 880 short block, I believe cam is comp 288hr, promaxx 195cc heads, 1.5 jegs roller rockers, single plane intake. 400 turbo transmission I think it’s a good start to put in a 76 Pontiac Grand Prix

I need 4 of those

Great build! Thanks for all the details.

You did a good job Pat!! Very good series.

Thanks for the info I appreciate all the combos you put together, has helped me a lot with projects

found your videos not to long ago and they are informative and easy to watch. Keep it up. After this video I'm wondering if I add the Summit cam how much HP my vortec engine might. Had some flow work done on the heads, (062, 906) flow test @ 500 Intake 232 Exh 164, LT1 exhaust manifold, sniper EFI. The long block was from Jeg's. It was tested at 315hp 402tq by the machine shop without any tuning. I love this motor in my Ford hot rod.

Thanks for your knowledge and info!

fixing to build one for my 89 s-10 should be fun thanks for all the helpful information

Man ! Did you time this just right for me I happen to be building a truck motor for my little truck An El Camino With some stiff stuff under it I think it'll be enough HP to piss some of these high dollar rollers off Thanks

outstanding! budget and horse power..🙂

Very informative. Thank you.

The single roller is a better timing chain than a double roller. There was a shim that was sold by IIRC ATI that was used with their LT1 balancer. It is the correct width to shim the balancer. Then again I would only run a SFI balancer on a performance build. Full roller is also a better rocker, really no reason to run a roller tip only. They make stamped steel self aligning 1.6s that works with a combination as well as those roller tips would. Full roller added 10 ft/lbs across the board on my old LT4 Hotcam L31.

not boring fantastic build it shows spending lots of money may not be wise 400 hp is nothing to laugh at if it will hook up on the street 😁thanks.

Cool Video, I actually have the LT4 hot cam and the GM performance 1.6 aluminum rockers, been sitting on the shelf for years, not going to use them on my current build, they will wait for another build.

Great job 👍🇦🇺

definately do the 400 with vortecs 😀

In my area the Vortec 350's are hard to find and start at $600. Also, how about a recommendation for a budget set of aftermarket iron Vortec heads for those that might be wary of the stock heads cracking. The Summit branded Vortecs maybe? Love this series of videos!

Great RU-vid channel! You mentioned a video you were going to make regarding installing a steel timing chain cover on a 880 Vortec block have been unable to find it on your Channel

Enginetech is some good stuff. I've used a couple of their rebuild kits and was really impressed with the parts I got in the kits and the engines are still running strong. Where can I get one of those hats?

very helpful, thanks a lot man

Awesome as usual. Cant wait to see whats next

It has been years since a 400 SBC with Vortec heads was done. PLEASE DO THIS!

A stroker version would be a good level 4, since there are a bunch of interesting bottom end changes to think about. 400 SBC I'm not so interested in, I don't see many available.

Great videos champ. 👌

i have a set of 906 casting vortec heads im pairing with the 8802 cam soon. should make around 10.5 to 1 compression

Do a daily driver 350HP combo to make it on par with a stock 5.3. Not everyone wants big undrivable CHOP CHOP

Love this series of videos. Awesome work! I'm starting a rebuild on L31 880 block with vortec heads. Current was setup for Spider EFI and considering a setup like this but with an alternate intake and EFI. If you have suggestion on EFI / intake setup for something like that please let me know your thoughts. Thanks and keep up the great work!

Love your channel bro! You've definitely given me the right knowledge to build my sbc with vortec heads. Thank you

11:38 one of the reasons why I went with the lunati voodoo 270 roller. They have a pressed and pended Iron distributor gear so no need to run one of those ridiculously overpriced $100 distributor gears. The voodoo has identical valve timing to the hot cam but with voodoo lobes, more lift and ground 6° advanced but of course you can retard it so not a big deal.

I'd like to see the summit 1103 cam on the Dyno. I couldn't find a video with HP numbers or any forums. It's got about the same specs as the l82 cam or any other rv cam. which is the 350/350 HP cam I think. I installed this cam a while back it's alright on the torque. Was gonna go with the summit 1785 cam but the 106 lobe separation stopped me.

You should do a towing 350 hydraulic roller with aluminum heads engine build and a towing 350 hydraulic roller with vortecs engine build.

Thanks for posting these video's they are very informative, I have a set of 062 heads and installed ls springs with 174003-3 retainers and +30 keepers, the question i have is can i grind down the self aligning washers or tops of the keepers to make clearance between the keepers and roller rockers? My intake valve stem stick out is about .0645" and i have about a .010" gap between the roller and valve stem because the self aligning washers are hitting the keepers, i did order a different set of rockers to see if clearances are better.

First let me say I really appreciate your time and effort doing all these videos , I've learned so much and saved alot of money thanks to you. I'm going to use the Summit cam you suggested. You said you could use the stock rockers , would it be worth it to purchase a set of Scorpion 1.5 roller rockers? Also I have a Chev. Perf. 350/357 hp. crate motor with the hyd. roller cam, Vortec heads and just wanted to double check that using the stock pistons and pushrods were okay to use as is ? Since my engine is the same as the one you built I just wanted to verify that the piston to valve clearance was good to go. Thanks again for everything.

Yes, absolutely do a sb400

You’re doing awesome!

I'm glad I saw this before I messed up. I've got a similar build. I'm running the cloyes double roller and a milodon steal cover. I was about to install stock balencer. I don't have access to a lathe. What do I do? Buy a balencer for an old style block like the timing cover?

400 would be sweeeeeet

Great video and the explanation, Pat! Where would you recommend us buying those stock size GM cam- and crankshaft bearings?

So im not seeing anyone asking, but what is the idle like with the LT4 hotcam or 8802 summit cam with a carb? Ive searched RU-vid and keep finding different sounding engines, not sure if some are fuel injection and some carbs, or if idles are set different or what. Ive got a L31 crate motor in my 55 chevy and outside of carb issues it runs decent, but its a hot rod and id like a little chop at idle, nothing crazy cause id like to keep power brakes, stock or stockish torque converter etc. So my thought is to go with the 8802 but dont know what to expect sound wise, no since in doing a cam swap and changing head springs for the same idle, although top end performance would probably be a lot better.

Love me a good 880 roller motor

Good stuff

What pick up tube did you use for the hv oil pump? I’m having trouble locating the correct one since there are so many. Thanks for the vids I’ve watched all the ones going back to porting stock vortecs. You should throw a set of those on and see what the numbers are.

For a little more power, would it be worth it to replace the pistons with flap tops? There are stock replacement cast pistons with a 1.56 compression height available for a resonable price. With these pistons, steel shim head gaskets and the stock deck height, the quench is around .040. Compression ratio would be around 10.25.

Did you use some kind of shim in place of the reluctor wheel?

In previous video you mentioned you didn't use a carb spacer and would go over that in a later video. Did I miss that video or have you not gone over that yet?

Hey Pat, did you ever post the Vortec timing cover vid?

So are you telling me I can do that with my Vortech 5.7 in my Chevy Silverado 2000 ? I would like to do that 😅

Yo I love your vids can I run that summit cam you mentioned on a fresh crate 880 stock block just add the cam to it or do I need a new timing chain and change the valve springs to and is that summit cam a roller or hydraulic cam then I need to change my lifters and push rods to

I do have a base motor, but I'm at loss as to what to do to it on account I don't know what's in it. I got an awesome deal on a vortec 350 magnum marine motor with 450 hrs on it. I've bin pulling my hair out trying to figure out what's in this thing without tearing it apart. Do you have any experience with using a marine motor as a base for a build? The balancer doesn't need any modification as it dose not have a crank sensor and sits further back than an automotive balance plus the plastic timing cover has the hole for the sensor hole is plugged as part of the plastic casting. The problem with Mercruiser is its hard to find specs for anything like the cam the heads all they list is parts # and you just replace it. I do know its a four bolt main block I suspect it may also have 202 heads. 2000 Mercruiser 350 magnum (carbed) was going to put it in my truck but i think this would make a killer street rod motor.What do you think? keep the videos coming 👍👍

Killer motor!

What cam would you put in a vortec engine if all you did was put another cam in? And what kind of power would you guess it to make?

Gonna go with Jegs carb instead to save $350 but would you say that summit cam is daily friendly? If not what would you recommend?

Thank you for your knowledge and videos USA 🇺🇸 TRUMP 2024 2024

Hi Pat. Is it necessary to have the big ends of the rods resized with the ARP rod bolts already installed? I saw a video where the guy had the big ends resized and then installed the ARP hardware afterwards and it pushed everything out of round. I asked my machinist to resize the rods back to factory spec but he doesn’t have the ARP hardware. Is this a big deal in your opinion?

Would a Windsor build b an option? 😊

Was wondering if I used flat top pistons (SUM-17351C-00) with the Summit Cam if there’s enough Piston to Valve clearance?

Hey man I just have a question. I used +30 keepers on my valves and it brought my installed height too where I needed it. But I don’t have much valve tip only about 10 thousand clearance between the prw 1.6 rocker and the retainer. Is this enough? Or is there a minimum amount of clearance between the rocker and retainer?

with the hot cam setup did you use stock pr length and also do you think shaving the heads down to like 60cc,s would cause pvc issues? love the vids man preciate all the info

Just subscribed to your channel i will be doing a similar build good videos😎

I just ordered my rebuild kit with the 1094 Head gaskets and the Sum 8802 cam. I’m doing the beehive spring upgrade but the ports are staying stock. How much of a loss in HP do you think it’ll be? Still over 400hp I hope.

What is the highest static compression ratio are you comfortable running on a daily pump gas street engine with iron heads and if you did have an engine with a high compression ratio you wanted to run on pump gas what changes to the cam would you look for to lower the dynamic CR? Higher Duration? Tighter LSA? Different ICL? Or all...

I have a very similar setup to this with the 8802 cam. What did you set your initial timing to? How about total? Did you set the initial with the vacuum advance hooked up? Thanks!

That summit 8802 it takes a melonized gear? I contacted them about a cam i bought a Summit SUM-1227 for a older gen1 non roller block. They cant seem to tell me what gear to use, they keep saying a carbon/poly gear or bronze. This is for a street/strip car i dont want to be buying a new distributor gear every 10k miles. I was told the billets are 5150 steel and howards said i can run one of their Steel distributor gears if this is true. Any info u have would be apprecated.. Thanks

What would be the cam equivalent to a roller cam? Disadvantages?

So this means we CAN go over 500 lift with a stock vortec head? Just upgrade valve springs and good to go?

My son and I built a motor almost identical but we used the 8802 summit cam. He bought a factory reconditioned 4779 Holley 750. I’m having trouble getting the jetting figured out. Plugs are black. Any tips would be much appreciated! Awesome video watch all of them almost as soon as you drop them.

Would any head work need to be done using a summit 8800 cam with 1.6 rockers. .480 lift?

Hi Pat. Will be doing my vortec heads to your spec. I have the pre 96 standard block with solid flat tappets and would like to use the standard vortec 1.5 rockers. Could you please suggest a cam? Thanks Kyle South Africa

I have a stock 97 4bolt with 75000 and going to put it in my 57 chevy. What small cap distributor do you recommend? Ps like your videos very helpful

How do you resize a powdered connecting rod ..the vortec has cracked rods ..my machine shop told me it shouldn't and wouldn't attemp it

I am thinking about building an exact duplicate with the summit roller cam. I am curious if this will be good for my daily driver work truck?

What’s the part number for the single plane intake

what about pinning the rocker studs instead of doing screw in