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Vortec Heads on a sb400

K85 Octane said:
ahhhhh
yeah, that's not CA smog nazi approved
can any other intake manifold work, even with an egr in place but not working? I understand the missing center bolts might be a problem, not sure how to solve that or the ??deck/port height?? Unsure, like the sound of the combination though :)

thanks martin
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My GMPP intake for the quadrajet has the EGR crossover. Designed to use the Tube from the 96-98's. EGR mounts on the pass. side, tube on driver side down to driver side manifold/header. Mine is blocked with a weird GM only plug.
 
Here are some crappy cell phone pics of when I installed the Vortec heads and GMPP intake on my 1988 V10 Suburban.

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GMPP TBI Vortec intake manifold. Should be a better piece for being built by GM.
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Martin
 
I could take some better pics, but you can see the EGR valve is there, and it looks functional, even though it isn't.

Martin
 
So has anyone on here actually used the vortec heads on a 400 ? I would really like some real world input.
Thanks
 
Lots of people have. I helped assemble a few. What do you want to know???

Martin
 
not a 400, a 383...one of the best "bang for the $$" available for a sbc...

fwiw, I have a new crate vortec engine in my garage, ready to go...:waytogo:



linky
 
To run Vortec heads? Yes. On any sbc. They are the best OEM sbc heads made.

Martin
 
Ok so vortecs on the 400 seems like a good combo. Now I just need to figure out the steam hole drilling part.

Thanks
 
That's easy. You just use the head gasket as a template. That being said, one set of holes is drilled perpendicular to the head gasket surface, and one set is drilled at an angle. I forget which is which, but just look at a set of stock 400 heads.

Martin
 
I have a PDF instructions that AFR sent me for steam holes. PM me if you need it.
 
I have a 406 with vortec heads, edelbrock performer rpm airgap iintake, holley truck avenger 770, with comp cam. (have to look up number) makes great power, enough to break chromo shafts in D60. runs good, drives good. dont know what kinda numbers it puts out but im thinkin round 400hp at crank, maybe somewhere in that neighborhood for torque too, just guessing. Bottom end is mostly stock with KB pistons, 9;1 compression. Cant compare it to a stock 400 because inever drove it with a stock 400. motor has been in for 4 years now with maybe 12k miles on it. never had any overheating problems or head cracking issues. And I routinely give'r hell. hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the links and replies. I will be doing this mod soon.

Patrick
 
Any SBC head works, just needs the steam holes.
http://www.gregsengine.com/converting-350-heads-to-400.html

If you're tearing the block down, be sure to magnaflux the block. Mine had some super fine cracks you could not see. It was totally built too. Had to ditch the block and went with Dart block and stuffed the good stuff in that. Sucked paying for that.
 
Shawn said:
Any SBC head works, just needs the steam holes.
http://www.gregsengine.com/converting-350-heads-to-400.html

If you're tearing the block down, be sure to magnaflux the block. Mine had some super fine cracks you could not see. It was totally built too. Had to ditch the block and went with Dart block and stuffed the good stuff in that. Sucked paying for that.
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Wow, never heard if that before. Pretty cool. Thanks.
 
@tenderfoot you really want to build a engine.... Ditch this idea and go aftermarket. I looked at the vortech heads at first... In the end the aftermarket is where it's at. Imo
 
beags86 said:
@tenderfoot you really want to build a engine.... Ditch this idea and go aftermarket. I looked at the vortech heads at first... In the end the aftermarket is where it's at. Imo
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I was wandering in here to say something similar

Prices as they are, it’s difficult to get as much power from a rebuilt set of Vortec heads, as a new set of aluminum for the same cost

Make sure you do lots of research on costs before you start
 
I think building one would be a great learning experience for me as I've never done anything to the internals of a motor myself before. And, it'd be a great project to do with my son who is only 8 but.....

Oh, I was looking at new not rebuilt heads. I saw somewhere someone was talking about cast iron vortec heads? What's that about?
 
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