What's the Difference Between the Non-Vortec and Vortec 350?

What's the Difference Between the Five Options?

Every Vortec option gets an upgraded block, updated Vortec heads, new pistons, rings, bearings, timing and oil pump, updated intake gaskets and every TSB update.

No Tinware vs. Fully Loaded: "tinware" is the oil pan, timing cover and valve covers. No Tinware long blocks ship without them so your shop transfers the originals; Fully Loaded builds ship with them installed, saving install time and avoiding old, leak-prone covers. Warranty is handled directly by Fraser engine specialists, not a third party; labor is reimbursed using Mitchell or ALLDATA book time. Optional No-Fault upgrades from 1 to 5 years are available on any option. Coverage, eligibility, exclusions and claim procedures are governed by Fraser Engines' written warranty agreement.

Perfect for trucks, SUVs, vans and commercial use

5.7L GM 350 Vehicle Applications and VIN-Based Fitment

GM built the 5.7L 350 small-block for decades. Block casting, main-cap count, balancer, flexplate and accessory layout vary by application, so Fraser matches every order to your VIN before shipment.

VIN-specific matching: have your full 17-character VIN ready so our team can confirm Non-Vortec vs. Vortec, 2-bolt vs. 4-bolt main and the correct balancer / flexplate for your vehicle. Main-cap configuration by model is typical, not guaranteed; Fraser confirms it from your VIN and original engine. 2000-and-newer redesigned trucks and SUVs use the LS-based 5.3L or 4.8L instead.

GM 5.7L 350 Specifications

Designed to correct common 5.7L GM 350 problems

Built to Fix What Wears Out on a High-Mileage 350

Our remanufacturing process restores proper oil pressure, smooth idle and dependable power under load.

Diagnose first

Repair or Replace? Signs You Need a 350

• Low oil pressure at hot idle
• Bottom-end knock or rod knock
• Milky oil or coolant loss (Vortec intake gaskets)
• Blue smoke or heavy oil consumption
• Low compression or failed leak-down test
• Lifter tick, misfires or a flat cam lobe
• Heavy blow-by from the PCV / breather
• Replacement recommended by a licensed repair shop

Built from the block up: true remanufacturing

How Your Fraser 5.7L GM 350 Is Built

Every remanufactured 5.7L GM 350 from Fraser Engines is fully disassembled and inspected, precision-machined for proper clearances and geometry, and assembled with new wear components, so it delivers factory-level performance or better right out of the crate.

1. Fully disassembled and inspected: thermal cleaning, shot blasting and magnaflux crack detection.
2. Bored, honed and decked as required on CNC machining centers to proper clearances and geometry.
3. Crankshaft ground and polished to exact tolerances on our CNC crankshaft grinder.
4. Remanufactured cylinder heads: resurfaced, pressure-tested, valve seats machined; updated Vortec heads on Options 2–5.
5. New pistons, rings and bearings installed to factory-clearance specs.
6. New timing components and oil pump for proper pressure to the bearings and valvetrain.
7. Premium gaskets and updated wear components, including updated intake gaskets on Vortec builds.
8. Balanced and tested rotating assembly and final quality inspection; tinware installed on Fully Loaded builds.

Engine experts, not resellers

A Better Alternative to Another Used 350

When you buy from Fraser Engines you work directly with engine specialists who provide pre-sale fitment verification, technical installation support, post-sale warranty assistance and one point of contact from start to finish. The 5.7L GM 350 was produced in many configurations across many years, and Fraser verifies your VIN and application before shipping to eliminate costly fitment errors and installation delays.

• Zero-mileage small-block, not a questionable salvage engine
• Upgraded block and updated Vortec heads on every Vortec option
• New pistons, rings, bearings, timing and oil pump in every build
• Every OEM and aftermarket TSB update on Vortec builds
• Your choice of 2-bolt or 4-bolt main
• Fully Loaded options with pan, timing cover and valve covers
• 5-year / unlimited-mile coverage plus No-Fault on every Vortec
• Free commercial shipping and core pickup

Know the difference

Used GM 350 vs. Low-Cost Rebuild vs. Fraser Remanufactured

A used 350 may come from a donor with unknown mileage, worn bearings, leaking intake gaskets or a neglected cooling system. Even if it runs today, hidden wear may already be developing. Instead of gambling, you receive a professionally renewed replacement backed by Fraser's support.

Inside the Fraser plant

Our 14-Step Engine Block Remanufacturing Process

Fraser is committed to delivering engines of exceptional quality and performance. Our rigorous, detailed process ensures every engine meets our high standards.

1. 1 · Engine block disassembly
2. 2 · Thermal cleaning
3. 3 · Shot blasting
4. 4 · Magnafluxing
5. 5 · High-pressure wash
6. 6 · Sonic cleaning
7. 7 · Pressure testing
8. 8 · Block preparation
9. 9 · CNC machining
10. 10 · Rod reconditioning
11. 11 · Cylinder honing
12. 12 · Second high-pressure wash
13. 13 · Sonic cleaning before assembly
14. 14 · Assembly and final inspection

OEM-grade machinery, in-house

350 Installation Tips to Protect Your Warranty

• Flush the cooling system; replace the radiator if sludged
• Replace the water pump, thermostat and hoses
• Confirm the correct balancer and flexplate / flywheel
• Use new intake gaskets (Vortec) and torque in sequence
• Prime the oil system before first start
• Use the break-in oil specified in Fraser's guidelines
• Watch oil pressure and temperature during break-in
• Change oil after the first 500 miles

The wrong balancer or flexplate is the most common 350 install mistake, so confirm both against your original engine. Your engine ships with Fraser's installation guidelines; follow them closely and keep your receipts.

Answers before you order

5.7L GM 350 Engine Replacement FAQs

Is a remanufactured GM 350 better than a used engine?

For most owners and fleets, yes. Used 350s are now decades old with unknown mileage, worn bearings or leaking intake gaskets. A Fraser 350 is zero-mile with a ground crank, new internals and remanufactured heads, VIN-matched and warrantied for 3 or 5 years with unlimited miles.

What's the difference between the Non-Vortec and Vortec 350?

The Non-Vortec L05 (VIN K) is the 1987–1995 throttle-body-injected 350. The Vortec L31 (VIN R) arrived in 1996 with high-flow Vortec heads, a different intake bolt pattern and multi-port injection. Heads and intakes don't interchange.

Do I need a 2-bolt or 4-bolt main?

Half-ton trucks, SUVs and 1500 vans typically used 2-bolt mains; 2500 / 3500 trucks and vans, motorhomes and commercial chassis typically used 4-bolt. We confirm from your VIN and original engine.

What does "No Tinware" vs. "Fully Loaded" mean?

No Tinware ships without the oil pan, timing cover and valve covers; your shop transfers them. Fully Loaded ships with them installed (from $2,999).

What vehicles used the 5.7L GM 350?

L05 TBI: 1987–1995 C/K pickups, Suburban, full-size Blazer, Jimmy, Tahoe, Yukon and G-vans. L31 Vortec: 1996–2000 C/K pickups, 1996–1999 Tahoe, Yukon and Suburban (plus 2000 Tahoe Limited / Z71 and 1999–2000 Yukon Denali / Escalade), 1996–2002 Express / Savana, and P-chassis and commercial trucks.

What's the difference between the five options?

Option 1 Non-Vortec $2,499 (3-yr). Option 2 Vortec 2-bolt $2,499. Option 3 Vortec 4-bolt $2,699. Options 4 and 5 Fully Loaded 2-bolt / 4-bolt from $2,999. All Vortec options: 5-yr / unlimited + 1-yr No-Fault.

Can Fraser ship my 350 engine to my repair shop?

Yes. We ship directly to commercial repair facilities, free in the continental U.S., and coordinate free commercial core pickup.

Is a No-Fault warranty upgrade available?

Yes. 1- to 5-year No-Fault upgrades are available on any option, and every Vortec option already includes 1 year free.