Vortec heads

[yeol1]

I've been doing some research and keep hearing that a set of vortec heads on my 350 are a great up grade.
I'm wondering if it would be a direct swap for the old stock heads I have now
It is a 79 k10 with a 350

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

They bolt up.

But the intake manifold is different, as are the valve covers, rocker arms and maybe even the pushrods.

 

[Kocher93]

Easy way is this for the intake manifold: http://www.jegs.com/i/GM+Performance/809/12496821/10002/-1

Edit: Oops disregard I read as a 89

 

[63chevyll]

You don't need the intake in the above post. That one is for a TBI.
You need any Vortec intake for a carburetored engine.

 

[yeol1]

Is this a good upgrade for the money cause it looks like there will be some machine work.
I've read claims of more power
Better mpgs and reliability
The mpgs and reliability are more what I'm intrested in more powers nice but not the main goal.
And is it worth the money over just doing a normal head job

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Reliability wise, there really isn't anything wrong with what you have and there isn't much better in that regard.

Mileage/performance wise, there are definitely gains to be had. But, you'll probably be $1K deep into it after heads, intake, valve covers, etc. You can burn a LOT of gas for that money.

I have Vortec heads on my 383 and I'm happy with them, but they were the awesome new stuff 10 years ago, now, not so much. Still good, and way better than 70's and 80's heads, but now-a-days I'd either stick with stock heads and spend your money on gas or invest in swapping a Gen III motor in.

 

[paratrooper307]

There are power gains to be had, they will flow better and the smaller chambers will bump up your compression. You will need new valve covers, intake, and rocker arms. Your exhaust and accessories will bolt up, pushrods can be reused. Some people have modified earlier intakes to work, but you are asking for leaks and other problems if you do. Not really worth it IMO since a Vortec intake is less than $200.

Machining is not required unless you are trying to run a cam with a lot of lift. You have to machine the guides if you want to run a cam with more than .475-480 lift I believe. Some aftermarket Vortec heads are already set up for big lift.

I believe Jegs sells a kit with everything you need for just under $900. That's a lot of gas and/or a lot of money toward an aftermarket head set. I feel for this swap you are much better off looking for good used parts. A good set of 062 heads can be had for a couple hundred if you look around. Vortecs are an excellent bang-for-the-buck upgrade for stock smog heads. Results vary, but gains of 20-40 horsepower are not uncommon.

 

[454Sub]

You could buy vortec heads with all the trimmings in a yard for 100$ probably. The intake and machining work will be where the costs can come in.

I also believe spring pockets have to be machined out for large lift and the larger springs that come with it. But if you are just looking for a quick 30hp easily, you wont need but a valve job and some gaskets.

 

[Bowtie85]

If you wanna run a fair size cam, go with beehive springs. No machining required.