I have a 1990 IROC with a 350 tpi . I'm pretty sure it has a rod or main bearing down. What I'm wanting to do is replace with a short block and keep my heads and tpi to put back on it. What short block should I be looking for? Or will any 350 pre93 work? Just want to make sure that my stuff will go back on it and work right.

 

The best thing to do is find a Vortec motor 96-2000 and use the short bock. Swap the cam and lifters and bolt on your heads and your set.

 

Any L98 86-92 should be a direct bolt in. If I remember right the 86 will be very rare as they where Vett only motors. I would avoid anything before 86, you may have oil pan issues.

 

So making sure I understand correctly, my cam, lifters, heads, and tpi unit is a direct swap onto the 350 vortec block as long as its 96-2000 right?

 

What posted will fit and what some consider a direct bolt in can differ. The engines I listed will be direct bolt in. I would find a thread where some transplanted a newer long block to see if it is a direct bolt in. I mention the oil pan because Camaro's tend to fit the oil pan around the cross members and oil pans tends to change based on seal design. To some guys making a custom oil pan is a hour long project to others it is impossible. You also want to understand the flex plate needed and if the brackets in the front are direct bolt up.

If you are ok with custom then I would not put any effort into saving the L98 heads. The Vortec heads will out flow and still give you a boost on the bottom end. The vortec design is so good several aftermarket head manufactures copied it.