vortec vs. standard

[shock.emtp]

im currently (re)searching a fresh 383 for my k5 and would like to know the pros and cons of a vortec head vs a standard head. what makes the vortec head so special. please site your source of infoand please dont post opinions as i need hard facts. 450hp and 450tq (give or take 50) but want it as low as possible.

 

[Big Ray]

in a word, flow. Best bang for the buck you can do for a sbc.

here's a good article. clicky

 

[80' 427]

Do it.

 

[sweetk30]

yep tall skinny seems to work better on intake runners.

thats why thay did it even more so on the 99-up ls based engines. those are TALLER yet .

good bang for the buck over old style heads . go for the vortec for the win. and grab that part # in the link as you get better than truck used stock junk.

 

[80' 427]

yep tall skinny seems to work better on intake runners.

thats why thay did it even more so on the 99-up ls based engines. those are TALLER yet .

good bang for the buck over old style heads . go for the vortec for the win. and grab that part # in the link as you get better than truck used stock junk.

actually the stock used truck junk is better than what chevy is selling. When they shipped the casting to mexico it lost flow. I have seen it on the bench but these boys say it the best.

http://www.castheads.com/factory_chevy_vortec.php

 

[shock.emtp]

so will the vortec heads A) come in aluminum? B) hp/tq max limits? i.e. can i get to 450tq and still keep it relatively low in the rpm band?

is this possible or am i just puffin on too much green smoke?

 

[Smokinthehippies]

will not come in aluminum.

 

[80' 427]

idk power limit but 450 isn't hard.

 

[Big Ray]

this here GM crate motor has a very mild cam...clicky

this one is an easy 500 ft-lbs...clicky


383's with vortecs will get you old school big block power numbers.


just decide where you need the power band and build accordingly. note the GM motor makes 400 ft-lbs from 2500 rpm on. Fyi, the cam in the GM 383 is the same one they used in their Ram Jet motor some years back, again it's a mild cam.

 

[K588]

this here GM crate motor has a very mild cam...clicky

this one is an easy 500 ft-lbs...clicky


383's with vortecs will get you old school big block power numbers.


just decide where you need the power band and build accordingly. note the GM motor makes 400 ft-lbs from 2500 rpm on. Fyi, the cam in the GM 383 is the same one they used in their Ram Jet motor some years back, again it's a mild cam.

Any idea if that fist GM 383 crate could be made to run on a TBI setup?

 

[shock.emtp]

K588,
those numbers should be attainable using the right FI setup. would it be fuel efficient at those numbers? prob not. if you wanted everything, id go with a mpfi setup but that would open pandoras box of crap.

 

[Big Ray]

Any idea if that fist GM 383 crate could be made to run on a TBI setup?

idk, but if it were me I'd go multi-port. Way more efficient, IMO

 

[K588]

Thanks fellows that's about what I expected. Wishful thinking.

 

[Big Ray]

Thanks fellows that's about what I expected. Wishful thinking.

run a modded q-jet from someone like these guys. You'll get great power, performance, and depending on your right foot a bit of economy.

All without the hassle and cost of EFI.

Just a reminder, this motor has the Vortec heads and that 383 cam. It was no slouch...clicky

 

[folkenheath]

so will the vortec heads A) come in aluminum? B) hp/tq max limits? i.e. can i get to 450tq and still keep it relatively low in the rpm band?

is this possible or am i just puffin on too much green smoke?

The Edelbrock E-tec series of heads are a vortec style head (intake and combustion chamber) that are cast in aluminum and have more performance and a better valvetrain. Stock vortecs are a screamin deal, but the E-tec 200 on a 383 would make 450 hp like a cakewalk. That head is easily capable of 500 hp with the right cam, but you may want a smaller cam since you want the power down low.

You could also go with the Etec 170 if you want all your power down low and still want aluminum. Otherwise, stock vortecs are much cheaper, just make sure you get them modified for the right valvesprings if you need to with your cam.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/cylheads/chevy/sb_perf_rpm1.shtml

(i think there is a typo, one of the head #s is probably for hyd roller cams)

Also, start with a newer block so you can go roller cam on the cheap...it's worth it.

If you aren't building your own I'd consider the GMPP ZZ383 shortblock with the E-tec 200s on it.