beater_k20
Banned
TJSm with the combustion chamber design of the Vortec head, the more quench distance you have (further away from "ideal") the more problems you're going to have with detonation.
CK5
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Vortec head swap
- Thread starter dammit32
- Start date
xflatrater
Registered Member
Beater is 100 percent correct I am at 10 to 1 with no ping, and no EGR. It runs like a bear with a steel shim gasket. You cannot make horsepower with a large quench area, it defeats their design. Assemble the engine and measure the deck height before choosing a gasket.
ntaj*ep
1/2 ton status
[ QUOTE ]
kill you? i highly doubt that. the valve covers are the same as any 87+ small block, the spark plugs are not different than any other small block (stock plugs are platinum, but same size as anything else), rockers can be had for $40 a set through Scoggin Dickey, anbd converting to an electric choke shouldnt cost you anymore than $40.
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First of all I see no year in the inital post, the early v-covers/plugs/rockers/intake are totally diffrent. Its not just a bolt the heads on and go. Second, if the info you have is helpful post up, if your going to be ignorant do a search then post up the facts. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
Now IMO you will need the heads, head bolts, a good gasket set, intake manifold, coolant, tune up parts you can add to this as with any project. If you inspect your parts and feel they will be OK then fine otherwise the rockers, push rods, lifters would be needed as well. The swap is worth it for the money I can think of nothing else that will give you the power per dollar. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
kill you? i highly doubt that. the valve covers are the same as any 87+ small block, the spark plugs are not different than any other small block (stock plugs are platinum, but same size as anything else), rockers can be had for $40 a set through Scoggin Dickey, anbd converting to an electric choke shouldnt cost you anymore than $40.
[/ QUOTE ]
First of all I see no year in the inital post, the early v-covers/plugs/rockers/intake are totally diffrent. Its not just a bolt the heads on and go. Second, if the info you have is helpful post up, if your going to be ignorant do a search then post up the facts. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
Now IMO you will need the heads, head bolts, a good gasket set, intake manifold, coolant, tune up parts you can add to this as with any project. If you inspect your parts and feel they will be OK then fine otherwise the rockers, push rods, lifters would be needed as well. The swap is worth it for the money I can think of nothing else that will give you the power per dollar. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Stroked72Blazer
1/2 ton status
TJS: What carb are you running? Did you jet it up when you did the head swap? If not you might be a little lean and that could cause your ping. What spark plugs are you running? 45s may be a little hot try running 43s.
As for the crossover it is for the EGR and if an egr is not required in Florida for your year of vehicle then don't waste your time with it. If it is required then see what is available from Scoggin Dickey to set it up. Do not just run a pipe from the exhuast manifold/header into the vacume port in the intake without putting an egr valve there. Otherwise you will have a large constant vacume leak.
After reveiwing the play there is a tbi intake on Scoggin Dickey that has a threaded port that either is an egr supply port or a coolant passage (hard to tell in pic) but an EGR will not work on a performer intake without serios modifications
As for the crossover it is for the EGR and if an egr is not required in Florida for your year of vehicle then don't waste your time with it. If it is required then see what is available from Scoggin Dickey to set it up. Do not just run a pipe from the exhuast manifold/header into the vacume port in the intake without putting an egr valve there. Otherwise you will have a large constant vacume leak.
After reveiwing the play there is a tbi intake on Scoggin Dickey that has a threaded port that either is an egr supply port or a coolant passage (hard to tell in pic) but an EGR will not work on a performer intake without serios modifications
91GMCSuburban
1/2 ton status
[ QUOTE ]
... A lot of guys that do the swap with a TBI use a carb intake and an adapter that bolts their 3 bolt TBI to a 4 bolt carb pattern...you have to drill your exhaust manifold and attach a tube that connects up to a hole in the intake.
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You don't have to modify the exhaust if you use the carb intake from GM Performance with EGR. you use your existing setup.
My question is, has anyone done this swap and added a 454 TBI instead? This is the route i am fixin' to take but since I haven't actually done it, I don't know what to expect.
... A lot of guys that do the swap with a TBI use a carb intake and an adapter that bolts their 3 bolt TBI to a 4 bolt carb pattern...you have to drill your exhaust manifold and attach a tube that connects up to a hole in the intake.
[/ QUOTE ]
You don't have to modify the exhaust if you use the carb intake from GM Performance with EGR. you use your existing setup.
My question is, has anyone done this swap and added a 454 TBI instead? This is the route i am fixin' to take but since I haven't actually done it, I don't know what to expect.
SERIOUSLY consider some other heads. All depends what you want to do, but with an injection setup, I think you can add up the additional costs of the vortecs, and probably come out to about what a set of AFR's cost. (or something similar)
I should check pro-topline again, if their heads have exhaust crossovers, they would probably be the best bet.
For non-emissions, non high performance carbed applications, Vortecs might be a good retrofit, but with a $300 or something injection intake, valvesprings that aren't good over about .450 lift, pressed in studs, and no exhaust crossover, there are a LOT of negatives to them which add cost.
Again, all depends on what you need them to do as to how worthwhile they are compared to some other brand/type of head.
I should check pro-topline again, if their heads have exhaust crossovers, they would probably be the best bet.
For non-emissions, non high performance carbed applications, Vortecs might be a good retrofit, but with a $300 or something injection intake, valvesprings that aren't good over about .450 lift, pressed in studs, and no exhaust crossover, there are a LOT of negatives to them which add cost.
Again, all depends on what you need them to do as to how worthwhile they are compared to some other brand/type of head.
Thunder
3/4 ton status
You can get a set of 64cc or 76cc chamber Pro-toplines centerbolt direct bolt on for TBI for around $500. They have the vortec style combustion chamber/swirl port/screw in studs. Should perform pretty much like Vortecs without all the install hassle.
In my opinnion that is the cheapest and easist way to go.
If you want more flow. World SR Torquer II center bolt heads are a direct fit also. They have 2.02 intake and come in either 76 or 64 cc chamber. Cost around $900
Both these heads are a lot easier to install on TBI than vortecs and give similar or better performance.
In my opinnion that is the cheapest and easist way to go.
If you want more flow. World SR Torquer II center bolt heads are a direct fit also. They have 2.02 intake and come in either 76 or 64 cc chamber. Cost around $900
Both these heads are a lot easier to install on TBI than vortecs and give similar or better performance.
I bought my Vortecs to build a "stock" carbureted motor with. Once I decided on injection and a roller cam, the "benefits" of the Vortecs evaporated, and the project got much more expensive than it should be.
Of course, when I bought the Vortecs a couple years ago (at least) the options that are available now from other head companies weren't there. If I had to do it over again right now, I wouldn't consider Vortec's at all, even if going carbed.
$800 for set of Vortecs/special TBI manifold that won't handle much abuse, or $900 for a set of Worlds and any TBI intake out there....hmm, tough choice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Of course, when I bought the Vortecs a couple years ago (at least) the options that are available now from other head companies weren't there. If I had to do it over again right now, I wouldn't consider Vortec's at all, even if going carbed.
$800 for set of Vortecs/special TBI manifold that won't handle much abuse, or $900 for a set of Worlds and any TBI intake out there....hmm, tough choice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
beater_k20
Banned
[ QUOTE ]
First of all I see no year in the inital post, the early v-covers/plugs/rockers/intake are totally diffrent. Its not just a bolt the heads on and go. Second, if the info you have is helpful post up, if your going to be ignorant do a search then post up the facts. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
[/ QUOTE ] i saw no year of the engine currently in the truck either, the Vortec valve covers are the same bolt pattern as any 87+ small block Chevy. the 1986 small blocks were the last year for the perimeter bolt small block Chevy. the rockers are a self guiding rocker, which also happens to be stock for any 87+ small block. they can be had for about $50.00 a set through Scoggin Dickey, not the previously posted $40.00 (sorry, i am human...) (pn:12495490). as for the plugs, i have a set of Vortec heads sitting on my bench, and while the factory plugs are platinum, and not "standard" plugs, if you find a parts guy who will stop being lazy (as most chain store employees are) and find you a standard plug that matches the dimensions, and in the proper heat range, they shouldnt cost you any more than a standard R43TS plug. i used to know the part numbers right off the top of my head, but i cannot recall them now. i assumed that everyone knew that Vortec heads required a new intake, as they have the top of the ports raised around .110". HOWEVER, if you have a Victor Jr. (for pre-86 applications) single plane intake, it has enough meat in it, that if you retap the heads to accept the older intake style, you can port match the intake to work with the heads just fine. BTW, i worked in a GM dealership for a year and a half, and used to sell Vortec heads at a rate of 5-10 sets a week. many of those buyers had specific questions about installation, at which point i called GM Performance Parts. i have also sold aftermarket parts. Vortec heads are something i have done extensive homework on, not only because i sold them, but because i own a set.
as for your comment on the worth of my post, i will admit to having some pretty pointless posts. i am also a member of 67-72chevytrucks.com, where i have been dubbed as the 73-87 board smartass. when i originally started posting here, i carried the same attitude as i do there. i quickly realized that because you guys do not know me as well, it doesnt go over like it does there. i am trying to work on this so please just be pantient. you guys dont need another smartass, you've already got Tim. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
First of all I see no year in the inital post, the early v-covers/plugs/rockers/intake are totally diffrent. Its not just a bolt the heads on and go. Second, if the info you have is helpful post up, if your going to be ignorant do a search then post up the facts. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
[/ QUOTE ] i saw no year of the engine currently in the truck either, the Vortec valve covers are the same bolt pattern as any 87+ small block Chevy. the 1986 small blocks were the last year for the perimeter bolt small block Chevy. the rockers are a self guiding rocker, which also happens to be stock for any 87+ small block. they can be had for about $50.00 a set through Scoggin Dickey, not the previously posted $40.00 (sorry, i am human...) (pn:12495490). as for the plugs, i have a set of Vortec heads sitting on my bench, and while the factory plugs are platinum, and not "standard" plugs, if you find a parts guy who will stop being lazy (as most chain store employees are) and find you a standard plug that matches the dimensions, and in the proper heat range, they shouldnt cost you any more than a standard R43TS plug. i used to know the part numbers right off the top of my head, but i cannot recall them now. i assumed that everyone knew that Vortec heads required a new intake, as they have the top of the ports raised around .110". HOWEVER, if you have a Victor Jr. (for pre-86 applications) single plane intake, it has enough meat in it, that if you retap the heads to accept the older intake style, you can port match the intake to work with the heads just fine. BTW, i worked in a GM dealership for a year and a half, and used to sell Vortec heads at a rate of 5-10 sets a week. many of those buyers had specific questions about installation, at which point i called GM Performance Parts. i have also sold aftermarket parts. Vortec heads are something i have done extensive homework on, not only because i sold them, but because i own a set.
as for your comment on the worth of my post, i will admit to having some pretty pointless posts. i am also a member of 67-72chevytrucks.com, where i have been dubbed as the 73-87 board smartass. when i originally started posting here, i carried the same attitude as i do there. i quickly realized that because you guys do not know me as well, it doesnt go over like it does there. i am trying to work on this so please just be pantient. you guys dont need another smartass, you've already got Tim. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
