vortec related info

grumpyvette

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
the standard vortecs are significantly better heads,than many cast iron heads like the early fuelies,but there's TWO distinctly different port sizes in vortec heads, the standard 173cc and the newer 206cc , (215cc)the larger ports support A LOT MORE HP, THE LARGE PORT VORTEC HEAD VERSION, can easily support 550-600 hp while the standard vortecs max out in stock configuration at nearer too 430-450hp at the most with mild port work.

READ THRU THE SUB LINKS THERES A TON OF INFO YOULL MISS IF YOU DON,T

http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Cylinde ... Vortec.cfm

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

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=401

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

PORT SIZE: 170
CHAMBER: 64cc
VALVE SIZE: 1.94 / 1.5
PRICE: $400.00
FLOW@.100: 70 / 48
FLOW@.200: 139 / 101
FLOW@.300: 190 / 129
FLOW@.400: 227 / 140
FLOW@.500: 229 / 147
FLOW@.600: 229 / 151

http://sdparts.com/details/gm-performance-parts/25534431

Large-Port Vortec Cylinder Head Flow after mild mods, the stock large port heads are limited to a .530 lift, unless modified but easily raise the max potential rpm range by several thousand rpm
INTAKE EXHAUST
Lift Volume Lift Volume
0.200 128.6 0.200 100.8
0.300 188.4 0.300 138.6
0.400 234.8 0.400 154.4
0.500 257.2 0.500 152.5
0.600 263.2 0.600 163.8
0.700 269.1 0.700 167.0

standard stock smaqll port vortecs max at about 230cfm, but cost less, the cylinder head flow will restrict power and rpm levels to some extent, as they are designed for low and mid rpm tq.

http://sdparts.com/details/gm-performance-parts/12558060

both types of vortecs can be modified with better springs and machined to work with better/higher lifts
be aware you'll need self aligning rockers and center bolt valve covers and a vortec specific intake

http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-dickey-parts-center/sd8060a2

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

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

naturally if your going to be installing better/longer/larger valves ,pushrod guides, better valve seals,and doing some port/bowl work and adding better springs, like beehives and titanium retainers, too get a head that will work with .650- lifts you buy bare heads and save some expences since youll discard the stock valves and springs, retainers etc. anyway

http://sdparts.com/details/gm-performance-parts/25534445

more info

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89515&highlight=vortec

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

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

as always its your responsibility as the engine assembler to check, but this info will help!

http://chevyhiperformance.com/howto/97458/

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


http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us110128.htm

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

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


http://chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/148_0208_vort/
 
stock corvette, iron or aluminum L98 heads peak flow about 200-210cfm

stock iron vortecs peak flow about 230-236cfm

theres aftermarket aluminum heads that will bolt onto a L98 that easily flow over 270cfm

heres a short guide comparison

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/techinfo/heads1.html

http://users.erols.com/srweiss/tablehdc.htm

https://www.holley.com/products/intakes/dual_plane_manifolds/parts/8121
image17of.png




a set of basic vortec heads are not all thats required, youll need new self guide rockers, center bolt valve covers,and a differant vortec intake, ETC. easily the combined cost could exceed $1500, so the $600 or so for the vortec heads alone looks great,and at first the better flow looks promising, but thats NOT the whole deal, and your better off buying the AIR FLOW RESEARCH,BRODIX,TRICKFLOW or similar L98 style heads and not necessarily getting the vortecs as the true cost to benefit ratio doesn,t favor the vortec heads if you need all the new components:thumbsup:

now don,t get me wrong the vortec heads flow better and probably just the new intake and heads could get you 35-50hp, but stock vortec heads are limited to about a .475 lift cam, and when you go adding machine work and better springs and a bigger cam, it soon becomes very obvious that your better off buying the AIR FLOW RESEARCH,BRODIX,TRICKFLOW or similar L98 style heads that will work with most of the L98 components, flow far better and will accept a .540-.650 cam if you order the correct heads and still keep the TRUE TOTAL COST SIMILAR OR LOWER, AND MAKE NOTICABLY MORE TOTAL HP, besides vortecs are cast iron heads which are more prone to detonation, and are far harder to repair if damaged ,you can get aluminum aftermaket heads, easily repaired and lighter in weight in a wide choice of combustion chamber sizes , to more easily match the compression ratio to the intended cam,etc,and still save money based on the true total costs


http://www.airflowresearch.com/pages/180sbc_sh.htm

http://www.airflowresearch.com/pages/195sbc_sh.htm

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=TFS-30400002&N=700+115&autoview=sku

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_186384_-1

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_760699_-1_10187



BTW THEY DO MAKE ALUMINUM VORTECS, if your determined

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_749898_-1_10187

standard vortecs

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_749896_-1_10187

improved vortecs
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_955896_-1_10187

LARGE PORT IRON VORTEC HEADS

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/sto...c-Bow-tie-Cylinder-Head-25534371-P857C65.aspx
 
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to answer a few questions

vortec heads are some of the best flowing STOCK PRODUCTION cast iron heads for a small block, and certainly have a good following among many budget performance builders., but they are hardly the best heads available and theres hidden costs to a swap

http://nascarheads.com/chevy_heads.html#chart

most intakes can be MODIFIED to bolt up and in most cases work, by elongating the bolt holes but they DON,T fit the ports exactly or correctly as the bolt angle and port shape and port height changed slightly with vortec heads

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

http://www.competitionproducts.com/prod ... CH353-ES-1

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/97458/index.html
p177897_image_large.jpg


p177900_image_large.jpg

p177891_image_large.jpg


vortectostandard.jpg


vortecsaw.jpg

standard intakes don,t fit some vortec heads because the vortec head ports extend higher
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sbch.html

380 cu in vortec head build
heres a mild high torque build using a set of mildly reworked vortec heads and a chevy hot cam.
Recently I built a 380 inch small block with 906 Vortec heads for Pat Mcneil. The build: 4.020 X 3.750, 10.1 compression, hyd roller on a steel billet 218/228/112/109/.525, Crane/GM LT 4 1.6 roller rocker arms, very mild, Ferrea 1.940/1.50 stainless valves, GM titanium retainers, GM locators, GM valve springs, the 906 Vortec heads featured honed bronze valve guides, race valve job, spring pockets cut, machined for screw in studs, fully ported, 65 CCs, Performer RPM intake, 850 Holley, 31 degrees total timing, 5 quarts 10/30 Valvoline oil.
IMG_3008.jpg

2972vt.jpg


IMG_3007.jpg
Click to expand...

If your going to run vortec heads, you either check you have clearance on current heads, with accurate precision tools and/or if you find you don,t have the required clearance,your going to be forced to modify current heads or you could buy heads with the correct clearance


reading the related info will be helpful
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-151124

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...train-clearances-and-problems.528/#post-57678

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ting-up-the-valve-train.181/page-2#post-54091

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/what-springs.11352/#post-51960

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-loads-and-installed-height.10709/#post-46627

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/removing-valve-seals.4283/#post-44287


http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/the-new-215cc-vortec-heads.266/#post-35948

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-vortec-heads-and-other-heads.401/#post-34996

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/vortec-info.529/#post-27299

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...o-the-large-port-vortec-heads.1040/#post-1943

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/vortec-related-info.731/#post-1028
 
Last edited by a moderator:
http://sallee-chevrolet.com/Cylinder_Heads/Vortec.html

http://chevyhiperformance.com/howto/97458/

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

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=401&p=1807#p1807

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

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

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 wasting time and money running 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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