Vortec vs Standard Heads

[kpkrol]

I'm thinking about putting Vortec heads in my Chevy 350 bored .030. What would I need to do this?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[vinney]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

The correct intake manifold and gaskets

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

Just be sure to use a marine head gasket and you are good to go!

 

[flashback]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

Kpkrol, what do you stand to gain by doing this?

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

he sands to gain free horsepower.<br />The cumbustion chamber design on the vortec heads are a copy of the LT-1 corvette heads combustion chamber. This combined with larger intake runners makes more torque and horse power via a more comlete burn not by stuffing more fuel in the cylinder. The Idea behind this head was to make more power with the same amount of fuel than the standard cast iron TBI head that was on GM trucks until 1995. The L-31 vortec head is probably the best stock GM head ever built for the small block.<br />I would say 30 more horsepower or more is not unheard of.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

vortec head is probably the best stock GM head ever built for the small block.<br />

Without a Doubt..........<br /><br />I've got a set, casting #902, that are going on my Bored & Stroked 327 Chevy.........<br />383cids of Alpha Crushing Torque...................

 

[flashback]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

Hmmmm, Got me thinking, 30 extra horses just for changing heads and intake? will they work with a carb or is mpi the only way..?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

I think this works,head and manifold change to Vortex.My question is do you need a counterbalance shaft,also?<br /><br />DHP

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

Flashback - the heads work fine with carb. I have a set of new Vortecs on my 56 Chevy with an Edelbrock Performer manifold and Performer carb.<br /><br />DHP - You don't need to worry about changing any shafts.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

The balance shaft is only for the 4.3 vortec not the 5.7<br />Edelbrock makes a great performer intake for the vortec heads that is set up for idle to 5000rpm. It is a direct bolt on with your marine cooling system. I would also go with the edelbrock 600cfm marine carb. The marine vortec 350's I have seen have all been rated at 260 with a 2bbl. The ones with 4bbls are rated at 300. <br />good luck

 

[flashback]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

Kpkrol, i have one more question to ask, then i promise not to hi-jack your post.... Will the vortec setup work with flat top pistons? thanks in advance

 

[Bondo]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

Will the vortec setup work with flat top pistons?

Tricky Question............<br />It Depends on All the other components you're going to use.......<br />The Combustion Chamber is Small(62cc.s,I think)...<br />And Depending on How High the piston rises in the bore.....<br />And, What Cam ....<br />And, Etc...Etc...Etc.....<br /><br />Vortec's Work Best,<br />With .040 Quench......<br />And,There's Many way to get there............

 

[flashback]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

Thanks Bondo,Yea I was thinking I might just blow the heads off the block, the cam is nothing unusual, but I was thinking the compression may get a bit high.......

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Vortec vs Standard Heads

Kpkrol,<br />Vortecs have 64cc combustion chambers. Its real tough getting the .040 quench without experiencing too high compression. A stock motor with un-milled block, stock flat-top pistons, and good head gaskets will get you about .094 quench. But the heads still work better than the old style without the proper quench. <br />If you're rebuilding the engine and want to get the quench and CR right look at Speed Pro Hyper pistons. They have a reverse-dome piston, PN H126 that helps keep the compression low while acheiving the .038 - .042 quench.<br /><br />Another thing to consider is your carb. If you have a Q-jet and want to keep it you can. GM makes a spread bore cast iron manifold for Vortecs. Costs $185, which is in line with most of the aftermarket. I can dig up the part number if needed.