heads, heads, heads

[Knanthrup]

Ok I know I\'ve been asking a lot of questions lately but I have another one for you guys. I\'m debating to go with either vortec heads or world product sportsman II heads. Maybe this question has an obvious answer to some of you guys but not for me. I\'ve heard good things about both although I know the vortec\'s require that special intake manifold. So it comes down to these two, the vortecs are to be had for around 400 bucks for the set and the sportsman II\'s for around 450 (both complete) which makes the whole money thing not an issue in this choice. So which would you go with?



P.S. In either decision what valve size would you go with? I asked one guy I knew that used to be a mechanic, he told me that there was an old debate on to go with higher compression or lower compression but that he would go with lower so you can run lower octane gas. Thoughts and opinions?



<b>1984 S10 2wd


Just got a 350 short block, going in soon...</b>

[ZZ4Blazer]

Personally, I don\'t like either heads. But choosing betweent he 2, I\'d probably go with the vortecs. You might need to do some machining on them, depending on what cam you run.



Whats the valve size have to do with the compression ratio? Basically, compression makes power. Higher compression will make more power. CHP dynoed a big block, only changing the compression ratio(stacked up gasket after gasket to change the ratio, without changing any other factors fo the motor) The result was a 40 hp decrease. Not saying you\'ll see that, but you get the idea. If you are going for a mild small block, then I\'d go with between 9.5-10.0:1 compression on a carb. motor with iron heads.

[my454s10]

yep....i would just save a few more dollars ...i dont like the vortec or sportmens...the vortec valve cover are high and really high if you need tall covers to clears roller rockers...second for a little more money you can get a set of killer tfs heads...thats trick flow specitalist...and they are great...the vortec are good dont get me wrong...but you have to spend about anothere 150-250 to get them machined to handle a cam thats more than .450 lift...so you got 450.00 for the heads plus 200.00for machine work plus new springs locks retainers and screw in studs ...you are up to about 1000.00 now and trick flow heads are alimiunm and are under 1000.00 at jegs or summit ...

[mommasboy]

His question was which head to use when choosing between Vortecs and Sportsman II\'s. Like i have said before, The Worlds have tons of meat in them and can be ported to flow outrageous numbers if you feel you need more head in the future. Yes i would rather have a set of Alluminum heads (AFR 210\'s-230\'s) But thats only if you have a grand to spend em\' them at the moment. He stated that he is spending around $450. So i would go with a set of the Sportsman II\'s. Later if you run into some money, buy a set of alluminum if you just have to have some, but you can always port the hell out of a set of Worlds(Darts) to meet what ever your power needs are.



Ps.Dont buy Vortech\'s! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[my454s10]

well thats for sure ..dont get the vortec...but if you dont know how to port and ploish and do bowl work than it will cost about 200-300.00 to have this done ..so once agin you are up to some serious$$$$$ afr and trs are great flowing heads right out the box and lets not forget the eledbrock heads..some many choices...i wish i had saved my money and got some afr or trs...i had 150.00 in cores than 300.00 worth of porting and another 200.00 in valves --springs --studs---but i got to pay mine out...and i dont even have acc..holes in my heads...see my pictures in the gallery ... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[Trickten327]

I have a TPI 350 out of an 87\' IROC. Will I have to machine anything to use the Worldproduct sportmen heads?? I know that the Vortech\'s need the vortech base and that\'s another 400, unless you machine it yourself. Thanks

[Knanthrup]

Alright... maybe I\'m not headed in the right direction. My question did have to do with between the two but maybe you guys have some better suggestions. The way I see it, there are the iron blocks running 500 and under then theres no inbetween step until you hit aluminum which is in the 1 grand range. My situation is that I don\'t have the money to blow on aluminum heads thats cost around a grand, as much as I want them but I won\'t get me engine done very soon if I have to save up for all that.



At the moment I\'d like to go with a pretty decent set of heads that may allow me to hit about 300hp without any machining done to it. The simpler, the better right now for me. If I get more money or decide I need something better I\'ll just upgrade later.



So to sum it all up, Basically I want a set of heads for around the $500 mark, $600 max that will bolt right on and work without all this and that machine work. If anyone has a better suggestion than the vortecs or Sportsman\'s then I\'d love to hear it. These were just two that I have noticed that had some value to them. If not then I\'ll have to chose between the two... probably the Sportsmans the way it sounds. Especially if the vortecs are going to take some work no matter what.



Oh by the way, I can get most of the larger brands for price at cost or a little above through my work so keep that in mind.



Anyways, more feedback would be appreciated, thanks guys!



<b>1984 S10 2wd


Just got a 350 short block, going in soon...</b>

[mommasboy]

Sportsman II, or maybe even a set of the S/R Torquers. No maching or that other B/S..They are just bolt on reliability and power.



Thats just my .02

[my454s10]

if you can get this stuff at work ...than why are you asking us for help... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

[Trickten327]

Thanks lightweight!

[Knanthrup]

On 2002-09-23 08:12, whitethunder1300 wrote:

if you can get this stuff at work ...than why are you asking us for help... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif



I\'m asking for your opinions is what im doing. The prices vary here and there and I can\'t get every kind of heads through my work (only some aftermarket stuff). For example, I have no connections for the vortecs through my work (GM products) but I know retail is pretty low on them anyways. Basically I have no experience custom building engines or with any of these brands of parts or anything, so I\'m turning to you guys for your experience and knowledge to help me make a decision.



On another note I want to say thanks for the help guys! I really do appreciate it. For right now I\'ll probably just go with the sportsmans until I get more money or unless I hear of a better suggestion before hand.