[Marv D]

Vortec heads are generally even smaller chambers. They would work GREAT if you would swap the flat tops for a set of 11c "D-dish" pistons.

If you want the muscle car sound you need to get 0.050" valve timing up around 220. if you want the agressive 'hot rod" sound more like 235-240, and unless you want to be buying race fuel,,, 250 and up is best reserved for 11 and 12:1 race motors.

A Vortec 400 is a kick butt motor! You can build for low end torque and pull the horns off the devil himself, or build for upper end HP and go around surprising the BBC pickups. It's just cam, induction and exhaust.

Check in to the RHS vortec heads. Much better design and castings than the stock crack prone castings. No,,, none of this is cheap. But remember rule #1,, only a rich man can aford to buy cheap parts, because only a rich man can afford to replace them again and again and again.

After 15 years of being in service the GM vortec castings are getting a reputation of cracks radiating from the exhaust seats, and cracks across the deck. This is really inherant to any light weight casting so popular,, there is going to be failures. But I'm hearing this more and more. Take that for whatever grains of salt you like.

What kind of power / ET are you looking for, and what kind of budget are you working with, and what are you wanting to do with the truck. I think the guys here can offer a LOT more if we are armed with some details.