Vortec Cylinder Heads: The Definitive Guide

[jsabowabo]

I've got a question for you. I am also on a really tight budget, so please tell me if this will work.

The local junkyard has a set of Vortec heads for $200. My 350's got a Crane "Blue racer" cam, that I don't know the specs on, except the guy I bought the engine from said it was an "RV", or torquer cam. Assuming it is below .460" lift, can I leave the valvetrain of the vortec heads stock, or do I need to upgrade the springs?

If I have to upgrade springs I'll do the ghetto grind and use a set of Z28 style springs with the factory retainers and locks. My engine is a 1974 LS9 (pickup truck engine), rebuilt 350 with pink rods, stock 882 heads and a factory cast iron intake. I'd also like to use a .020" head gasket when I reassemble to bump up my compression a bit, any issues with this?

 

[02sunsetz28]

ok i got a question on my 906 casting heads theres water jacket ports both on the front and back of the head, but with the intake manifold theres only the front ones the back ones is just a flat piece of metal, is it supposed to be like this?

I know everyone's busy and I appreciate all the replies to this thread as well, but could someone answer this..........^^^^

Thanks

 

[hardline_42]

I've got a question for you. I am also on a really tight budget, so please tell me if this will work.

The local junkyard has a set of Vortec heads for $200. My 350's got a Crane "Blue racer" cam, that I don't know the specs on, except the guy I bought the engine from said it was an "RV", or torquer cam. Assuming it is below .460" lift, can I leave the valvetrain of the vortec heads stock, or do I need to upgrade the springs?

If I have to upgrade springs I'll do the ghetto grind and use a set of Z28 style springs with the factory retainers and locks. My engine is a 1974 LS9 (pickup truck engine), rebuilt 350 with pink rods, stock 882 heads and a factory cast iron intake. I'd also like to use a .020" head gasket when I reassemble to bump up my compression a bit, any issues with this?

If the cam is below .460" lift you won't have to modify the guides. However, I would change the stock springs with any aftermarket cam. Plus, if the heads have lots of miles on them the already weak springs will be in worse condition. Get the Z28 springs and the LT4 retainers. It's cheap insurance. Also, you'll need a Vortec specific intake, your stock cast iron one won't work. As far as gasket thickness, you need to know what the piston to deck clearance is since thinner gaskets affect quench more than they do compression.

 

[Dirt Reynolds]

ok i got a question on my 906 casting heads theres water jacket ports both on the front and back of the head, but with the intake manifold theres only the front ones the back ones is just a flat piece of metal, is it supposed to be like this?

I know everyone's busy and I appreciate all the replies to this thread as well, but could someone answer this..........^^^^

Thanks

Yes, it's supposed to be like that. Just a guess on my part, but that could be a hold-over from the 1996 Caprice 9C1/Impala SS steel LT1 head, which had reverse-flow cooling. The Vortec head is based on the steel 1996 LT1 head.

 

[hardline_42]

Hello
I was wondering if someone could help,? i own a 74 camaro in OZ and have a set of these Vortec Heads installed , The problem is, with this setup i would be struggling the make it out of a wet paper bag in my car . I am not a mechanic , i am a electrician by trade , so i dont know a great deal about cam grinds and lifts etc? If someone could point me in the right direction ie , specific info on what i need to change to make this current setup work, that would be much appreciated .Also i am on a budget , so changing heads or putting on a blower is out of the question . The engine/drivetrain info is as follows :

350ci = 2hp
Bored to 30 thou , 10.1 hypereutectic pistons
Crank regrind to 10 thou
Dynotec stage 3 cam ( dont no specifics )
Rollmaster timing kit
Engine components balanced
Quality bearings and gasket set
New harmonic balancer
GM Vortec 63cc heads, 3 angle cut valves
Edelbrock rpm vortec inlet manifold
600 square bore holley vac secondarys
HEI distributer with performance module
Turbo 350 gearbox
Heavy duty torque converter, 1100 rpm stall
Transgo shift kit stage 2
New o rings and seals
10 bolt diff ratio 3:08
Exhaust - exhaust manifold with twin 2. 1/2 " pipes

I'm not quite sure about your question. Is your current set up not performing the way you want it to? What's wrong with it? Are you asking for a cam recommendation? It seems like you have a decent combination already so I'm wondering what your power requirements are.

 

[hardline_42]

GMPP makes a Ram Jet Vortec 350 with a 0.431/0.451" lift cam and 196/207 degrees duration at 0.050". IIRC, April81z28 has one of these engines. She could probably tell you what the performance is like. Also, I was noticing that the stall speed on your converter is really low. It might be a reason why it's bogging of the line.

 

[angelz28]

Ok my combo

400ci, 1996 vortec heads, 600cfm edelbrock carb, kb pistons, 5.7 rods, stock crank , sum 214 -224, msd ignition.
What do you guys think?????

1978 camaro z28
th400, 3.42.
10.5.1

 

[gregh]

According to Dynotec's ads on Ebay.au their stage 3 came have the following specs:
287 advertised duration
214 @ .050
.444 valve lift
112 lobe centers

The cam is a very mild performance cam so don't expect it to rumble or make a ton of power.
The bogging & poor low end performance could be carb, timing, convertor, ect.

 

[Downesy]

Thanks greg
Can you recommend a cam ie brand and specs ?to get the most out of the vortec's
And i am going to change the convertor from 1100rpm to 2800 rpm , what do you think ?

 

[angelz28]

Ok my combo

400ci, 1996 vortec heads, 600cfm edelbrock carb, kb pistons, 5.7 rods, stock crank , sum 214 -224, msd ignition.
What do you guys think?????

1978 camaro z28
th400, 3.42.
10.5.1

nobody answers me!!!