I really need someone with knowledge to give an opinion

[fuzzypuppy]

Ok here goes,I have a 91 2500 5.7 with the larger 8600gvw drive train, during a mild cam upgrade I found my head #'s were 10110810, which after looking them up on mortec found out that they are a 65 cc "supposed" high swirl head, and at this point they could use new guides and seals, but sittin in my garage is a nice set of vortec heads, though as pretty well known I would need to get a new intake, as well as new driver side exaust manifold to accomodate the egr system, which instead I would just go for the headers with the bung hole all ready to go.
But if I already have a 65cc chamber "high swirl" head would I really be gaining anything, I have asked around a dozen people, and not one has even heard of my heads, and the few who made a guess felt that I am already probably pretty close hp wise to what a vortec head would give me, so save the $ it would cost for the vortec upgrade parts, and just have mine rebuilt,
since mine rebuilt would run about 3 bills, where as im lookin at $500.00 for the intake from gm, "since they are the only supplier of the proper tbi to vortec intake, then the headers at $300.00,
So some opinions would be greatly appreciated, and has anyone on this board heard of, or had experience with the type heads that are on my truck,
I'm definately in need more hp so the headers are comming either way, but id hate to spend all the time and $ just for a 5-10 hp gain if my heads are that close to vortec style already.
hope these questions arent too stupid, but I really have no idea,

[CEDJUNIOR]

The heads you have on that engine now are "swirl port" which is very restictive and for the most part TBI heads are only good for boat anchors. Also that b.s. from about having to spend $500 on an intake from GM is just that, B.S. Here is a link to a TBI-to-Vortec intake for $309 http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...d=738&pid=8154

Also edelbrock makes an intake for TBI-to-Vortec applications for around the same price. A proper vortec setup on your truck would be good for around 30hp. If you want to you can ditch the swirl port heads, and go with a set of used L98 heads. Those are off of TPI engines and will bolt right up to a TBI engine with out any EGR mods. If you can find them they are usually pretty cheap and flow pretty good. Also a good cam to go with is a Crane 2030, it works well with TBI motors and really wakes them up.

[fuzzypuppy]

Thank you for the info on the heads CED, Since I already have a brand new set of vortec heads in the garage ready to go I will just go with them, but as far as the intake manifold I looked up the link and will save it for future needs but the manifold will not work for me, I live in cal. and ithe site states they are not allowed in cal. I guess thats why the dealer here charges as much as they do, because they know they got guys like me by the short hairs, I live about 2 miles from edelbrock headquarters and have spoken to thier rep's several times concerning an intake for my application, the only vortec application that would come close, is to a spread bore, which runs a little under 2 bills, and after some more research I spoke to some Holly rep's who swear that they have an adaptor to go from spreadbore to tbi which will run about $75.00, but after another call to edelbrock "who does not make an adaptor to fit my needs" they seem to think I'll have problems with vacume leaks, even so I think im going to take that chance.
so as far as the vortec heads I have done some homework. I have just been really wondering about the heads I have on the truck now, though I know they have problems since I can't even break rubber with 410's in the rear, I just did'nt know if they were worth working them over to get the pony's instead of the vortecs,
as for a cam I was ready to go with the very cam you mentioned or a comp cam with about the same #'s, but when I went to my local speed shop to order, they came up with an Edelbrock 2102 which again has similar numbers, but since they are so close or ??? I got the 2102 for about $75 bucks. between calif smog restrictions and the trucks puter I was very limited as to cam choices, but the 2102 did do wonders through the whole power curve of the truck, and was told by my speed shop guy as well as Edelbrock that once I get rid of my restrictive exhaust manifolds i will REALLY notice a diffrence, I already have a high flow cat as well as flowmaster from the cat back.
But as I speak about headers,,, again $400.00 bucks at the speed shop, this amount AGAIN because of calif smog legal restrictions, I spoke to a local muffler shop who said that there is basicly no difference between the headers but when they are calif approved you get this sticker that you MUST affix under the hood, and MUST be located only so far from the original calif emissions sticker that originaly came on the truck, yea no bull I got the same notice when I bought the Edelbrock cam, it came with this notice and sticker the notice must remain in the truck and the sticker has to be placed as stated.
Anyways I'll go with the vortec's, do what I can to not pay the overinflated dealer screw me over price, and try to find a decient set of headers on e-bay or wherever as long as they don't cost me $400.00 a set,
I thank you for your help and wish you well.

[CEDJUNIOR]

I overlooked that fact that you live California. Well this is my advice and exactly what I would do in your situation. I would ditch the vortec heads and go with the L98's. You could sell those heads for a good amount of money depending on their condition and if they are already assembled or not. It just seems like using those vortec heads are going to be more trouble than they are worth. Believe me it would make life a lot easier.

The cam Edelbrock makes for the TBI trucks is junk. I've heard its barely more aggressive than stock. There are 2 cams that I have seen mentioned repeatedly when it comes to TBI trucks, and thats the Crane Cams 2030 which is 50 state legal in trucks up to '92, and the Melling MTC-1 which you can pick up at autozone. The Melling cam will be much cheaper than the crane cam, it only costs around $100 and is a good performer.

Now about headers. Usually with headers you're going to pay atleast $300 for a quality set regardless of if you live in CA or not. It just depends on what you want. You should check out Summit's header selection, everything from $159 painted summit headers to really expensive chrome and ceramic coated headers. Those cheap summit headers come with a CARB cert too. Actually your best value would probably be these these headers. I'll probably get those myself one of these days.

Anyway, good luck with your build up!