Vortec Heads

[Zack]

I\'m considering buying a set of those GM vortec heads. I know that if I buy them I\'ll need a new intake manifold and valve covers, but will I be able to use the same headers? Are the bolt patterns for the header bolts the same? If not, what do I do?

[327Isuzu]

They are essentially the same as earlier heads. Is that what you are trying to match? If they don\'t match whatever you have now, maybe you buy another set of headers? http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[350-s-10]

the only thing with the vortec heads, is that they will only handle .475 lift....... and then they require self alinging rocker arms..... i was gonna go with those, but opted to get a set of Edelbrock RPM heads! cant beat the weight savings of aluminum! just my opinion.....

[ZZ4Blazer]

All the 23 degree sbc heads should have the same bolt pattern for headers. The newer styles might have varied alittle, like LS1\'s, but I think they\'re all bout the same.



They changed the port size and types frequently, but thats not really too big of an issue.

[Sack]

I just ordered a set Of vortec heads from a guy on Mortec. I got a hell of a deal. I have a set of comp roller tip rockers. They are not self aligning but you can use guide plates to make them work

[350-s-10]

just make sure you have screw in studs for the guide plates..... i was just lookin out for ya! good luck with them, i hear that they make huge power after you get the machining done!

[whiner3]

they make more power than normal stock heads, but they wont even come close to comparing with my edelbrock e-tec-200\'s those things rule, i swear by them now, if i can afford another set i\'m gunna buy em they are 999.95 from summit

[Knanthrup]

Yeah I was considering going with vortecs also because of the value. You can get them so damn cheap and they flow pretty nicely as is, but they aren\'t the best and they don\'t have a lot of meat to work with for machining and porting. Great value if you don\'t plan on going to big... they\'re just a pain in the butt to get set up and embled if they aren\'t already.

[Trickten327]

On 2003-02-24 14:09, 350-s-10 wrote:

the only thing with the vortec heads, is that they will only handle .475 lift....... and then they require self alinging rocker arms..... i was gonna go with those, but opted to get a set of Edelbrock RPM heads! cant beat the weight savings of aluminum! just my opinion.....





I\'ve heard that the vortec\'s can handel .575 lift with the right guts. Altho I agree on the weight savings issue, I also know that I could spend the extra $$ on other mods or items for the truck. Just my two cents.

The link is for the TPI vortec kit fr: scoggin-ey.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=2175&pid=89538

[Ced]

VORTEC intake as well as exhaust ports are .200 higher. Regular headers work. If you want to use them with a higher lift cam, get the spring seats machined (1.460 or so), have the valve guide bosses cut down, get rid of the pressed in studs, have screw in studs installed with guideplates and use hardened pushrods. They are so well designed that porting doesn\'t really improve them. Larger valves haven\'t even shown much improvement. They are VERY good heads and believe it or not can support 475 hp easily if you prep them for higher lift.

[whiner3]

On 2003-02-25 18:14, Ced wrote:

VORTEC intake as well as exhaust ports are .200 higher. Regular headers work. If you want to use them with a higher lift cam, get the spring seats machined (1.460 or so), have the valve guide bosses cut down, get rid of the pressed in studs, have screw in studs installed with guideplates and use hardened pushrods. They are so well designed that porting doesn\'t really improve them. Larger valves haven\'t even shown much improvement. They are VERY good heads and believe it or not can support 475 hp easily if you prep them for higher lift.





they can support that kind of hp only if ported and polished to a perfect finish, to make that kind of power you have to get the compression ratio stupid, and steel heads don\'t like high compression, porting only sees a minor gain, polishing see\'s huge gains, if done properly they can make some serious power, but will end up costing you just as much as a set of aftermarket aluminum heads by the tiem you spend the money on the new intake guideplates and machining and bigger valvesprings, for the average guy i honostly think your much better off going with a edelbrock performer rpm head or the e-tec\'s the e-tecs are based on the gm fastburn head but flow more and can handle up to .550 lift, thats the way i see it anyway