Late model tech, old school app.

[allpontiacs]

Okay, I need some Chebby knowledge. More specifically, I need cylinder head knowledge. As far as I can tell, any vintage casting that has performance potential is not worth the money to buy anymore. So what about the newer stuff, Vortec and so on? I understand that they use center-bolt covers and need Vortec specific manifolds to bolt up. But what would I be looking for if I just walked into a wrecker? Something with closed-chamber heads, preferable small chamber, that wouldn't need a whole lot of porting to support 350-400hp. Give me Chebby lore!

[89vert]

noit hard to get 350-400 hp with vortec heads without porting,

anything with a vortec motor has vortec heads,

96 and up trucks prior to Gen III block ie LSX individual coil

came on L31 motor

http://popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/hardcore/0511em_vortec/


might have been avalible earlier but for sure 96 and up,

I think you might be avle to get them in new trucks depending on the motor

[allpontiacs]

But Vortec motors came about in the early 90's or somewhere abouts that, right? Are certain Vortec heads better than others? Different chambers, chamber sizes, etc, or were they basically all the same head? I see early to mid 90's trucks in wreckers from time to time, I was thinking maybe they'd have something suitable.

[79 Z28]

i got some 441 casting 69-70 heads, 2.02 1.60's, id get them magnafluxed (they look ok from the naked eye) and they will need new valves. blew up my motor :fingersx:

[iroc22]

But Vortec motors came about in the early 90's or somewhere abouts that, right? Are certain Vortec heads better than others? Different chambers, chamber sizes, etc, or were they basically all the same head? I see early to mid 90's trucks in wreckers from time to time, I was thinking maybe they'd have something suitable.


96-up was Vortec based heads.* Anything before that was TBI and had swirl port heads; basically they used huge shrouds before the valve and cast in swirls in the valve pocket.* TERRIBLE design for power, good for low end torque only.

There were only two versions of the Vortec head to my knowledge, either the 350 version which was 62cc or the 305 version which was 56cc and had smaller valves.

[allpontiacs]

i got some 441 casting 69-70 heads, 2.02 1.60's, id get them magnafluxed (they look ok from the naked eye) and they will need new valves. blew up my motor :fingersx:


What do they flow and what size chambers do they have? But I have to warn you, I'm going to be out-cheaping Jews on this motor. Every penny is getting pinched to its utmost. Since Chilliwack Pick-a-Part charges a decent, set price for any cylinder heads I figured I might be able to get some workable performance heads for little coinage. I'll send you a PM describing what I'm trying to do, maybe you can help. So I won't find anything older than 96 with Vortec heads then, correct?

[79 Z28]

they are 74cc right now. i sent you the flow numbers. they are already a good base to start

[iroc22]

. So I won't find anything older than 96 with Vortec heads then, correct?


Anything pre 96 (exc. L98) and of smogger vintage is no good to you if youre building a 350 for performance.

[allpontiacs]

Aight, I'll take a look at what Jason has, any of you guys know where I could get a good short block for uber cheap?