Budget 350 truck build

I am rebuilding the engine in my 87 k-5 4x4. It is a tbi 350. it is my daily driver. I want to make it as efficient as possible keeping the power band between 2500-5000 rpm. I want to use vortec heads and want to attempt to keep the same tbi. What is...

recomended components to make this work. I heard of using an rv-cam to get torque @ low rpm. Can anyone help with info?

The simplest place to help older cars is at the exhaust (newer cars have better exhausts already). Get a performance catalytic converter and mufflers. But ask around to make sure the performance mufflers you get sound good and aren't too loud. Cops could give you a hard time on a loud exhuast constantly pull you over even if it's technically not above the legal sound limit. Contrary to myth this doesn't hurt the low end. If you can, get bolted on components rather than welded, so if you have any issues you can reswap later. It's also easier to put on yourself and you don't have to worry about welds failing and making a loud smelly exhaust leak.

Cams are usually good at either low end or high, so if you get low end ones your high end will suffer, which means your maximum power goes down. But you'll probably get better gas mileage during normal driving.

From a quick google it seems you must change a lot if you get vortec heads, but I wouldn't know anything about that. shrug