vortec info

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
http://sallee-chevrolet.com/Cylinder_Heads/Vortec.html
BTW theres two common vortec intake manifold gaskets, these vortec heads have taller ports than the standard 23 degree first gen SBC heads
The Fel Pro 1255 is .120 thick
The GM 89017465 is .060 thick

if your restricted to heads that came on most cars then mildly reworked standard 170cc port vortec heads are a decent choice
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http://sallee-chevrolet.com/Cylinder_Heads/Vortec.html
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VORTEC HEADS YOULL FIND IN SALVAGE YARDS HAVE THESE HEAD MARKINGS
VORTEC HEADS YOULL FIND IN SALVAGE YARDS HAVE THESE HEAD MARKINGS
The L31 Vortec comes in two different casting numbers, 10239906 (#906) or 12558062 (#062). Originally, the stock #906 casting head was available in two versions. One version had an Inconel exhaust seat with single angle valve grind and was available on 1 ton trucks. The other version was the traditional three angle valve grind. Other than that, the #906 is the same as the #062 head.
GM Performance Parts Bowtie Vortecs are offered in “small port” (#25534351), which has 185cc intake ports/65cc exhaust ports, or the “large port” (#25534445), which features 225cc intake ports/77cc exhaust ports. Both GM factory and GM Performance Parts Vortecs come with 1.94 intake/1.50 exhaust valves. According to the engineers at GM, “Stepping them up to 2.02 valves doesn’t help them any, so it’s not recommended. The port was designed to match the 1.94 valves. With the Vortec flow velocity,vortec heads out flow most of the early fuelie heads most of the older guys used to rave about but they pale in comparison to the better current aftermarket heads available
http://chevyhiperformance.com/howto/97458/

http://www.2quicknovas.com/vortecheads.html

Youll need to do a test fit to verify, your intake can be used, some will work, some won,t both VORTEC and LT1/LT4 heads have slightly higher port locations than the standard first gen intakes , the vortec heads are a closer match to the LT1 than the first gen heads, youll need to measure carefully, I needed to weld my intake runners to add aluminum before I could port them to match my heads ports
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/valve-train-clearances-and-problems.528/

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When checking valve spring installed height and valve clearances you can,t guess,.its mandatory you don,t guess and actually measure clearances, valve spring michrometers are not expensive and owning or borrowing one for your engine assembly makes a good deal of sense, you can get close with SNAP GAUGES, and a 2" standard michrometer or a vernier caliper
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http://www.kmotion.biz/instht.htm

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there are PLUS .050, standard and NEG .050 height retainers and valve cups and shims to adjust the installed valve spring height and location in regard to the cylinder head and valve guides
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http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/engine ... ewall.html
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many standard intakes don,t fit some vortec heads because the vortec head ports extend higher, so a VORTEC STEALTH RAM should be a closer match than a first gen stealth ram intake
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us110128.htm

http://www.73-87.com/chp/gm3504.htm

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/eb120121.htm

http://sallee-chevrolet.com/Cylinder_Heads/Vortec.html

http://64.90.9.168/cranecams/pdf/512e.pdf

http://www.summitracing.com/
CCA-982-KIT Chevrolet: 262-400, conical valve spring kit

http://www.streetrodstuff.com/Products/115/

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0306_vort/index1.html

http://www.kendrick-auto.com/vortec_cs_gm_head.htm


(1) open throat to 85%-90% of valve size
(2)cut a 4 angle seat with 45 degree angle .065-.075 wide where the valve seats and about .100 at 60 degrees below and a .030 wide 30 degree cut above and a 20 degree cut above that rolled and blended into the combustion chamber
(3)blend the spark plug boss slightly and lay back the combustion chamber walls near the valves
(4)narrow but dont shorten the valve guide
(5) open and straiten and blend the upper two port corner edges along the port roof
(6) gasket match to/with intake and raise the port roof slightly
(7) back cut valves at 30 degrees
(8) polish valve face and round outer edges slightly
(9)polish combustion chamber surface and blend edges slightly
(10) remove and smooth away all casting flash , keep the floor of the port slightly rough but the roof and walls smoothed but not polished.
(11) use a head gasket to see the max you can open the combustion chamber walls
(12) blend but don,t grind away the short side radias

(13) have a local machine shop clearance the retainer to valve guide distance and add aftermarket springs and valve seals
(14) there are valve keepers available that add .050 extra clearance(USE THEM) but make sure the valve springs you use and the rocker/valve train geometry are set up correctly to work with the larger valve spring height and clearance!
(15) use the CORRECT matching rockers
(16) adding, machining for, screw in rocker studs is a good idea!
(17) your wasteing time and money runing a vortec head engine with an extreme high rpm cam,and intake, especially on a larger 383-427 displacement engine, the heads are designed to make massive torque in the 2000rpm-5500rpm range on a 350 displacement engine, they will not efficiently feed a 7000rpm combo on a larger engine so build your engine with that in mind

(18)if you intend to build a killer 383-427 sbc with vortec (STYLE) heads ID STRONGLY SUGGEST UPGRADING TO

E-Tec 200
Edelbrock E-Tec 200 heads have 200cc rectangular intake ports and 78cc exhaust ports. They outflow the “fast burn” aluminum heads by 10% on the intake and 17% on the exhaust, making power up to 6500 rpm. 64cc combustion chambers produce approximately 10.2:1 compression when used with flat-top pistons in 350-inch engines. E-Tec 200 heads come with 2.02" intake and 1.60" exhaust valves.
E-Tec 200
Chamber Size Bare (single) Complete (single)
64cc #60969* #60989*
 
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heres a combo one of my friends is currently in the process of assembling parts for and building, keep in mind this is for a light weight cobra replica that will weight about 2300 lbs, and run on race octane gas, not something that will be a daily driver.

HEADS/VORTEC LARGE PORT

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-25534446

Chevrolet Performance Vortec large port Bowtie cast iron cylinder heads feature revised intake and exhaust ports and are machined for 2.00 in. intake valves and 1.55 in. exhaust valves. The deck surfaces are .450 in. with 66cc combustion chambers, 215cc intake ports, and 84cc exhaust ports. All Vortec intake ports are taller and narrower than early model Chevy heads. The valve cover mounting holes are for both early perimeter-style and late model centerbolt designs. These heads are machined for 3/8 in. screw-in rocker studs, feature large valve spring pocket machining, and will accept up to .530 in. lift camshafts without modifications. They are identified with the Bowtie Emblem on the exterior of the head, below the exhaust flange, and the Vortec logo on top of the intake port area. They also feature the GM logo cast into the bottom of the intake ports.

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=6181&p=19320&hilit=vortec+port#p19320

The Dart Small Block Chevy Short Block Builder
SKU: shortbuilderSBC

Displacement, Bore and Stroke
1 x 400 cubic inches, 4.125" Bore, 3.750" Stroke $4,328.65
Internal Components
1 x Forged Crank, Forged Pistons, H Beam Connecting Rods $1,375.60

INTAKE
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-7516
BTW theres two common vortec intake manifold gaskets, these vortec heads have taller ports than the standard 23 degree first gen SBC heads
The Fel Pro 1255 is .120 thick
The GM 89017465 is .060 thick

TORQUE CONVERTER
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hup-25-35l
shift kit
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trg-4l80e-3
transmission
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hup-25-1

CAM
crane1449221.jpg

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/crn-1 ... /chevrolet
Camshaft Manufacturers Description: rough idle, upgraded cylinder heads and valvetrain required, headers and aft cat exhaust required, 11.5+ compression ratio advised, low ratio gearing required, auto trans w/3200- 3600 stall converter, com
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/crn-1 ... /chevrolet

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-2 ... edia/video

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techa ... ewall.html

NEWER vortec heads require different valve covers that the traditional first gen SBC but there are adapters available to allow their use, but they cost almost as much or more than many valve covers themselves
vortecvcad.jpg

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+ ... 0/10002/-1
 
if your intending to build a sbc with vortec heads these articles might prove useful, just keep in mind vortec heads are designed to maximize mid range torque, and your not going to be able to make killer power well above 5000-5500rpm in most case,s, but that doesn,t mean you can,t build an impressive torque monster.
just match your components to operate in the heads intended flow range which in anything from a 350-406 will peak at or below about 5000-5500rpm using stock heads and valve train

Duration_v_RPM-Range_wIntakeManifold01.jpg


viewtopic.php?f=52&t=148

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=8460

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=333

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/tech ... index.html

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/11 ... index.html

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/97458/index.html

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/vortec_valve_spring_upgrade/index.html

http://www.competitionproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=4716

http://www.2quicknovas.com/vortecheads.html

http://www.chevymania.com/tech/vortec.htm


PART NUMBER OPTION
Intake Manifolds For Vortec Heads

2116 Edelbrock Performer
21161 Edelbrock Performer, Polished 2116
5426 Edelbrock C-26 Dual-Quad
7116 Edelbrock Performer RPM
71161 Edelbrock Performer RPM, Polished 71161
2913 Edelbrock Super Victor, Single-Plane
2912 Edelbrock Victor JR. Sportsman 2V Vortec
7516 Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap Vortec
75161 Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap Vortec, Polished 7516
12496820 With EGR, square and spread bore carb mount
12366573 GM RPM Style, Squarebore Carb.
12496821 GM TBI with EGR
12496822 GM Eliminator Vortec Design (Same as Edelbrock P/N 2913)
------ Holley MPI Commander 950, MPFI Fuel Injection Kits.
3507 Edelbrock Performer RPM Pro-Flo EFI .
2516 Edelbrock Performer RPM (Marine application, but allows to bolt on a Quadrajet without an adapter) .

Note: You can view Edelbrock/Vortec intakes here

PART NUMBER OPTION
Intake Gaskets For Vortec Heads

1255 Fel-Pro Intake Gasket
89017465 GM Intake Gasket(old P/N 12529094)
Rocker Arms for Vortec Heads
12495490 GM Rocker Arms, 1.5 Ratio, Stamped Steel, Self-Aligning
12370838 GM Aluminum Roller Rocker, 1.5 Ratio, Self-Aligning
12370839 GM Aluminum Roller Rocker, 1.6 Ratio, Self-Aligning
1417-16 Comp Cams Magnum Roller Rocker, 1.52, Roller Tip, Self-Aligning
1418-16 Comp Cams Magnum Roller Rocker, 1.6, Roller Tip, Self-Aligning
1317-16 Comp Cams Pro Magnum Roller Rocker, 1.52 Ratio, Self-Aligning
1318-16 Comp Cams Pro Magnum Roller Rocker, 1.6 Ratio, Self-Aligning
10751-16 Crane Gold Roller Rocker, 1.5 Ratio, Self-Aligning
10758-16 Crane Gold Roller Rocker, 1.6 Ratio, Self-Aligning
Camshafts For Vortec Heads
There are hundreds of cams suitable for use with the Vortec head.
Example: 12-235-2 Comp Cam Extreme 4 X 4, flat tappet cam, lift I .447”, E .462”, duration @ .050” 210 degrees Int., 218 degrees Exh.

Strong low end and mid range torque. Excellent cam for RV's and pickups when changing to the Vortec heads.

Note: Valve spring change is required if changing to a performance cam.
PART NUMBER OPTION
Valve Springs For Vortec Heads

10309-1 Crane Cams valve spring and retainer kit. Drop-in springs with no machine work needed.
Valve Covers For Vortec Heads
12355350 GM Chrome With Red Bow Tie In Center
24502540 Valve Cover Adapter, converts center bolt to parameter bolt
10046089 Center Bolt Valve Cover Gaskets
241-75
Holley custom cast aluminum valve covers with ball-milled top. The rigid 1-piece aluminum castings combine strength and light weight in a design that provides a tight gasket seal while also acting to reduce valve train noise.

241-74
Holley custom cast aluminum valve covers with polished flat top. The rigid 1-pc aluminum castings combine strength and light weight in a design that provides a tight gasket seal while also acting to reduce valve train noise.

9415
Mr Gasket, 1987-up SBC, center hold down, baffled. Included: 2 covers, 1 oil fill cap, 2 PCV/breather grommets.

Head Gaskets For Vortec Heads
10105117 GM Composition Head Gasket, 0.028” thick compressed.
12557236 GM Composition Head Gasket, 0.051” thick compressed.
1094 Fel-Pro Head Gasket, 0.015” thick compressed.
PART NUMBER OPTION
Spark Plugs For Vortec Heads

5613611 R44LTS, set of 8
5614210 MR43LTS, set of 8
25164641 #3, Rapidfire style, set of 8
P526S Accel U-Groove “shorty” Double Platinum Header Plugs approximately 3/16" shorter then R44LTS plugs, set of 8
Miscellaneous Parts For Vortec Heads
12495499 GM Head Bolt Kit
12495491 GM Flat Tappet HD Push Rod Kit
12371041 Factory Roller Cam Push Rod Kit
12550027 GM Intake Bolts Set
134-2002 ARP SBC Vortec, Intake Bolt kit. 6-Point Bolts and Washers, Black Oxide, quantity of 8.
434-2002 ARP SBC Vortec, Intake Bolt kit. 6-Point Bolts and Washers, Stainless Steel, quantity of 8.
134-2103 ARP SBC Vortec, Intake Bolt kit. 12-Point Bolts and Washers, Black Oxide, quantity of 8.
434-2102 ARP SBC Vortec, Intake Bolt kit. 12-Point Bolts and Washers, Stainless Steel, quantity of 8.
8032 Edelbrock Universal Throttle Bracket. For SBC Vortec or Edelbrock E-Tec heads.
Bare Vortec Head
12529093 Same as P/N 12558060 except it doesn’t include intake valves, springs, and retainers.
EXAMPLE a bit of time running calculations shows a vortec head with its 1.66 square inch of port cross sectional area matched to a 383 will produce good power in the 3000-3500rpm band and above up too about 4700rpm, where the port is incapable of keeping up with demand.. stick a cam in that engine designed to operate in the 3500rpm-6500rpm band and youve killed off much of the cars potential power band

USE THE CALCULATORS

http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/runnertorquecalc.html
http://www.wallaceracing.com/chokepoint.php
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VORTEC HEADS
if your wondering if theres a way to determine if the cylinder heads you have or are looking at are vortec heads,
yes pull the valve cover and get the casting number
and look at the end of the heads casting markings

castingnumbervortec.jpg

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tpiin33.jpg

vortecheads1.jpg

keep in mind that the port cross sectional area can be easily calculated and its most effective port speed will fall in a set rpm band, swapping to a cam that is designed to operate at a higher rpm range will kill off low rpm torque and have very limited benefits in the upper rpms
this is a very common mistake guys make in not taking the time to measure and calculate how parts must match the intended power band.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engi ... evy_build/

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techa ... ller_cams/
 
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