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head and intake suggestions SBC

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obijuan

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so guys, ruined the k5 motor here recently and ive got to make a new motor appear. big focus on rock crawling, and will be adding TBI when my qjet quits being so good. 60% street queen, 30% rocks, 10% balls to the wall mud.

starting with a 4 bolt main 350 30 over, with TRW l2304 pisstons 2.4cc, and then the comp cams 4x4 CL12-231-2.

thats what we have on hand plus small parts, the big question is head and intake.

which heads will do well with this big picture? SBC head are all over the place, so im sure i can find some around and have em redone or something.


secondly is the intake. looking for a good rockcrawler motor essentially, people here seem to like the performers.
hows this one?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2104/


really just forced to dive into this. so i am a roast, baste me.:confused: lol
 
I think Vortec heads would give the best bang for the buck.
With a mild cam like that you don't need anything fancier.
You will need a Vortec specific intake though, but there's plenty of them.

The Performer(non rpm) intake would be a good choice I think.
(They do make a vortec version of them)
 
with the vortec heads though you will need new rocker arms and pushrods. the valve stems are different on the vortec heads. but they pretty much are the best option around without dumping a couple grand on aluminum heads
 
Vortec heads x3.

Theyre cast so no worries about finger nail biting if you over heat. Torque oriented, cheap to build/prep, and they are very good at keeping detonation to a minimum with their combustion chamber design.
 
ok cool, then whats second best? does vortec only mean centerbolt valve covers or is it after what '95? i know of a set of centerbolt type heads but not sure if theyre real vortec.
 
obijuan said:
ok cool, then whats second best? does vortec only mean centerbolt valve covers or is it after what '95? i know of a set of centerbolt type heads but not sure if theyre real vortec.
Click to expand...

There are other heads with center bolts as well.
But I believe Vortec are the only heads with only 4 bolts for the intake on each head instead of 6.
But don't take my word for it, it is possible that LT1 engines used that configuration as well, and you don't want those heads, because they have different cooling passages.

I think your best bet is buying a new pair of vortec heads, they are only about $300/each assembled.

btw the vortecs can't handle much lift when stock, your cam had a pretty mild duration, but it had descent lift numbers.
You have to check that out...
I think it's the height of the valve guides thats the limiting factor.

I recall that I bought a set of vortec heads some years ago from Scoggin Dickies, that could manage a bigger lift...
 
wow that is a nice cam...
600- 4600 rpms...

i love my vortec heads and i got a performer plus+ intake....

the cam i went with is a bit higher for power but i went with the smallest compcams extreme 4x4 cam i could get (being a hydro roller)....

here are my specs (mind you the truck is off the road right now) but ran good when it was driving...

http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDetails.aspx?csid=197&sb=2

so i think you will be good with that cam and any set of heads aftermarket...
 
Be careful in your head selection. Those pistons may push your compression ratio to high making it necessary to run higher octane fuel. I show these ratio
11.26 - 58cc
10.63 - 64cc
9.19 - 76cc
I thought 10.5-1 might be a little much for a lower RPM motor like your building.
 
If you had flat top pistons, I would say definitely go with the Vortec heads. But with the small dome on your pistons, even with a tight quench, a good ignition and cooling system, you would be right on the edge of detonation with what you're doing. I would suggest either the World Prod. S/R Torquers or the RHS Pro Torquers. They are both available in 67 cc and 76 cc chambers that will reduce your compression to where your engine will be happier. Of course this is all just my opinion....

Oh, and when you do get this engine together, be sure to either run an oil with sufficient levels of ZDDP, or run a regular oil with a ZDDP additive. This is assuming you are going with a flat tappet cam. If you go with a roller cam, the oil isn't a big issue. I'd just hate to see you ruin a new engine.
 
Just so everyone knows, the Patriot Performance Vortecs are sold out. Patriot Performance ran out of the casting and it won't have new heads until mid August. I'm upset because I wanted a set... I ended up going with their comprable aluminum heads for another $100, which will be delivered in about a week.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Patriot+Performance/723/2169/10002/-1
 
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