could this be true?

[ksjh1316]

I was talking with my body man regarding my engine and he was telling me that by switching to some vortec heads he had from my smogger 882's I could bump from 195 horse to around 295. Is this realistic I know heads give a boost on a stock motor but that much?

[Longhorn Man]

don't hold your breath.
They are great heads... but I highly doubt ANY head swap will net you 100 horses without anything else being swapped out.

[67_C-30]

No, that's not really accurate. Vortecs can add easily add 30 - 40 HP. The problem that some people have is the math used to get their numbers. The fact is that a set on a Vortecs on a healthy 350 can easily (and usually will if tuned properly) make 300 GROSS HP (gross flywheel HP). Some people see or hear that number and say "Wow, that'll make my factory rated 195 HP 350 gain over 100 HP". The problem is that the factory rating is NET HP, and in terms of gross HP numbers that 195 HP 350 is actually closer to 210 - 220 GROSS HP. In terms of NET HP, the Vortec headed 350 is closer to 250-260 NET HP.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

don't hold your breath.
They are great heads... but I highly doubt ANY head swap will net you 100 horses without anything else being swapped out.

Exactly. You can bolt a set of 15 degree 240 cc race heads on your engine, and you won't see a 100 HP gain if nothing else is changed. The 35 - 40 HP gain that Vortecs will get you is a very respectable gain, and well worth the swap.

[Skirkpat]

I agree with Longhorn 100 horses is alot , but the built Vortec engines will make 400 horse pretty easy, 300 seems very doable even with a stock 350.You make almost all power in the heads, they are the most imortant performance part on the engine. Either way you will see a marked improvement, and it will only help any other mods down the line. You Should DOIT!

[allen123]

SO what all will the vortec heads do for it like whats differant about them, sorry for such a dumb question but i've really wanted to know becuase i have to get a new head and im thinking about getting some vortecs

[Skirkpat]

Part of the problem is that you are talking to a body guy about engines,tell him to be careful around the paint fumes!!! LOL (just a joke, most of the body guys I know are true rodders)

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by allen123

SO what all will the vortec heads do for it like whats differant about them, sorry for such a dumb question but i've really wanted to know becuase i have to get a new head and im thinking about getting some vortecs

They flow better which will make more HP and they have a revised fast-burn, high-swirl style combustion chamber that allows for more complete burn of the mixture with creates more power (and torque) and better efficiency. The spark plug is indexed closer to the center of the cylinder, and this chamber design allows for a little higher compression ratio to run before detonation compared to older SBC heads. They are basically the latest and greatest Gen I head that has the advantage of computer-aided design and 40+ years of research and development on the old SBC. They are just technologically more advanced than any of the older heads.

[Sammy]

I believe you will also have to change the intake that will be an added expense for you in the swap.

[PHAT TONY]

Vortec heads flow VERY similar numbers to Edlebrock Performer RPM's, and the manifold holes are at a different angle. May help you reference....

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

Vortec heads flow VERY similar numbers to Edlebrock Performer RPM's, and the manifold holes are at a different angle. May help you reference....

Yes they do. In fact, they flow slightly better on intake side but a little less on the high lift range of the exhaust side, but still very comparable will make similiar numbers. Keep in mind that is a 1.94/1.50 valve Vortec flowing as good as and better than a lot of 2.02/1.60 performance heads. This is why the low lift numbers of the Vortec cannot be touched by the bigger heads, and why the Vortec produces so much low end torque. GM really hit the nail on the head with this design, and did even better on LS-X engines.

[pitt]

look at some world castings sportsman2's slightly cheaper than the vortech heads. this is off the jegs website.;;

GM Performance 12464298 - GM Performance Parts Aluminum Vortec SBC Heads
809-12464298
# SB-Chevy Aluminum Vortec Cylinder Head210cc Intake Ports
# 62cc Combustion Chambers
# 2.000'' Int/1.550'' Exh Valves
# Assembled, Sold Individually

$639.99

# SB-Chevy Sportsman II Cast Iron Cylinder Head200cc Intake Ports
# 64cc Combustion Chambers
# 2.020'' Int/1.600'' Exh Valves
# 1.437'' Valve Springs, .600'' Max Lift for Solid/Hyd. Roller Cam
# Angle Plug
# Assembled, Sold Individually

More info on World Products 011150-2
$534.99

[ksjh1316]

Thanks for the quick response i thought he was a little high on his hp rating increase. I am planning on a new dual plane intake as well as maybe adding fuel injection. My body guy also builds drag 67-72 trucks and GTO's for fun he says this should run like a bat out of he!!

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by pitt

look at some world castings sportsman2's slightly cheaper than the vortech heads. this is off the jegs website.;;

GM Performance 12464298 - GM Performance Parts Aluminum Vortec SBC Heads
809-12464298
# SB-Chevy Aluminum Vortec Cylinder Head210cc Intake Ports
# 62cc Combustion Chambers
# 2.000'' Int/1.550'' Exh Valves
# Assembled, Sold Individually

$639.99

# SB-Chevy Sportsman II Cast Iron Cylinder Head200cc Intake Ports
# 64cc Combustion Chambers
# 2.020'' Int/1.600'' Exh Valves
# 1.437'' Valve Springs, .600'' Max Lift for Solid/Hyd. Roller Cam
# Angle Plug
# Assembled, Sold Individually

More info on World Products 011150-2
$534.99

You are comparing aftermarket aluminum Vortecs. You can buy a set of cast iron Vortecs for $620 from Scoggin-Dickey. You can also find them used all over the pplace for $200 - $300.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by ksjh1316

Thanks for the quick response i thought he was a little high on his hp rating increase. I am planning on a new dual plane intake as well as maybe adding fuel injection. My body guy also builds drag 67-72 trucks and GTO's for fun he says this should run like a bat out of he!!

Like I said, he probably wasn't lying to you, its just that you're 195 HP factory engine really didn't make that little power, and when you factor net HP like the factory does, the Vortec headed won't quite make the advertised numbers. If the factory had never changed from gross to net numbers in 1972, this confusion would have been avoided.

[pitt]

yea its true...

[67/72junkie]

I put a set of vortecs on a 71 400 small block and have been super impressed.I have a friend who does machine work and he hooked me up on a set for $200 off a low mile motor that he picked up to use the bottom end in a customers truck.I have a built 400 with 186 casting LT1 heads 202 valves, roller rockers,550 lift comp cam the works .I have close to 5 grand invested in this motor and with race gas at the track it is awesome.To drive it on the steet I have to detune it and retard the timing.The stock 400 with vortecs and updated 151 grind 350 horse L79 cam performs awesome on 93 octane pump gas and I stuck it together for less than $1000 I have had alot of hi performance small blocks with lots of money invested and this has been the best bang for the buck.I would estimate it has around 350 to 375 hp.

[kelsfine69]

Originally Posted by Sammy

I believe you will also have to change the intake that will be an added expense for you in the swap.

Can the Vortec heads be swaped out on the later TBI engines(87-95) without a intake swap?

[67/72junkie]

I 'm not positive but I don't think so.I purchased a new intake to go with mine. If I remember right I had a factory 87 model roller motor with center bolt valve covers and the intake off it would not work.

[muddobber]

vortec heads dont have the middle two bolts for the intake on each side(96-99). the earlier center bolt heads have the middle two bolts on the intake going straight down instead of angled(87-95) you can use old style intakes by reaming out the center holes to make them fit the newer style heads. i have done two engines this way this month and have had no problems

[kevncar]

It's been a long time since I read anything about these, but if I recall, the intake must be changed and the valve covers are centerbolt valve covers. Other than that, everything should be good. I think there was something about upgrading the valve springs too.

[70rs/ss]

For the $600 new, you cannot touch them, the Edelbrocks are a grand, so why spend $400 more to get a head that performs less or equal to a $600 set?? The intake thing is a super easy trade off to me!! If you use them look at a bigger cam (under .480 lift), but that is still pretty big compared to the oe cam in your 195 hp engine, a set of headers and you could easily add 100hp! They are the new "cheap" speed part revolution!