At some point I think you end up without enough length in the TV cable, but I don't know if the adapters discussed would cause that or not. Still hoping others that have used TBI spacers or carb spacers chime in with their experiences. May be something you just have to deal with when you get there.
As to the "which head is better" topic, how about some objectivity in the matter? At least to keep from getting pissy with each other anyways?
Yes, the stock heads can be worked to make decent power. Yes, they would help keep cost down EXCEPT the machining aspect...don't forget, a new head is going to have all new valvetrain components, (short of rockers) which IMO are part of a complete head rebuild. In machinework/parts, you are likely over $200 in a stock set of heads. Still with pressed in studs. About $100 if you want to replace those.
Vortecs will run off the stock chip, but I don't want anyone to believe it will be anywhere near close. But any mod you make, to get the most power out of a motor, needs a chip burned. Don't even bother saying "it runs fine" unless you've got the datalogs to prove it. Mine sure seems like it runs great, until I look at the datalogs and the ECM is trying to constantly correct a lean condition.
Bigger throttle body, headers, and roller cam are certainly not required for a head swap, from what's been shown on the carb side though, bigger TBI is likely better. However, increasing airflow is increasing airflow, whether through extensive porting or different heads.
Put a cost list together from the parts mentioned, and see where it puts you either way. Complete heads are usually cheaper (meaning with springs, valves, etc) so figure on those. If you go aftermarket heads with screw in studs, you could run guideplates and "normal" rockers. If stock Vortec heads, you'll need the guided/rail rockers, should be commonly available by now. Intake is pretty easy. Carbed intake adapted to TBI shouldn't run you more than around $200. There might be a Vortec TBI non-EGR intake out there which may or may not save money over the adapter plan. Options are good, nothing wrong with people putting logical ones out there. The more options and info you have, the more informed your decision will be, and the happier you will be with it.
Last but not least, is time. I use what I tend to make per hour, and then calculate roughly how long I'll spend building something. If it costs less to buy a product I have confidence in (like heads) than the time I would spend trying to make the same thing, I buy. That's up to you of course. Overall, I think when we factor in our time, we could have had a second job and bought a whole new truck, as opposed to working on the ones we have for free. But we wouldn't have exactly what WE want.
the stock intake is a restrictive POS. hell, even leaving the heads stock and swapping the intake wouldnt be that bad of an idea. FWIW, modifying the TV cable bracket isnt that hard.
