25th92RS

iTrader: (4)

Trying to plan a build up of an LB9. What cylinder heads are best to go with. Been contemplating vortecs but am concerned with the extra expense of the vortec compatible intake manifolds. Are vortecs best? Are there equally flowing alternatives for cheaper or equal priced?

Is the LB9 even worth the effort, should I hold out for a L98 and build that up?

I'm looking to keep the TPI setup as well, no conversion to mini ram, or stealth ram.

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

The Vortecs are good for the money. You can get a set for $860.00 complete. Trick flow Super 23 aluminum heads are right around $300 +/- more, depending on which max. lift version you go with, which isn't a bad price for aluminum heads. There aren't many heads with the 1.94 intake valves, which is what you'll need for your 305. I'm going to build my 305, too. I think it is worth it because you can always swap the parts onto a 350 later, if you want to go that route. You can make near 400 fwhp with a n/a 305, which is plenty to make a third gen scoot quite nicely, especially when you use the right gears and get your tranny working properly. Your 3.42 gears should be perfect for the built 305. You have a tru trac lsd....nice! I like those.

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

I found this thread fun and interesting https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...tpi-310-a.html

wanab03ss

iTrader: (20)

For your 305 I would say go with a set of 601s or 113s, the vortecs are nice heads but the intake will cost and additional @$400. The 113s ( 58cc aluminum) are nice heads weighing in @50lbs less than the 081s or 601s and flow good with some port work. The 601s(53cc Iron) can be made to flow well (read sittingbulls thread @ porting 601s) and give you a bit more compression. Also there the cheapest youll find ..... 113s= $300-$650+ depending whats done..........601s= $50-$200+..... vortecs=$75-$400+. I have a set of each of the heads listed above and Im probally going with the 113s

Saabster

iTrader: (2)

!!!!! Where did you find them for that price? I want a set!

wanab03ss

iTrader: (20)

He meant $300 more than the $865 vortecs so $1165+/-

Saabster

iTrader: (2)

Oh, right.

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

Ha ha ha....I wish they were that cheap. I'd have them already.

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

I'm curious about the 113 heads now. What the frick are those?

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

The L98 aluminum heads found on the TPI Corvettes. A better version of the same head is being made for the ZZ4 and marketed through GMPP. It has factory port work and upgraded springs.

25th92RS

iTrader: (4)

That's an awesome thread you found. I could only dream that I make that kind of HP out of a 305. Easily possible but obviously the right conditions have to exist and it looks like Fast355 really found the right combination of things. Great build!

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

I ran corvette 113s on my 305 for a long time. car ran mid 13s with 3.23 gears, no traction and stock tune. 113s are the BEST heads for a 305 IMO

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

To which thread were you referring?

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

I dunno though, I really like the 059 Vortec 305 heads too. They work VERY well too.

25th92RS

iTrader: (4)

Fast355 - Have you every used or heard much about EQ CH305A heads? I guess they're Vortec in design but even cheaper.

Or what about the World Products Torquer 305's?? Just curious.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

I'm sure they do. I've never dealt with them, so wasn't making any claims.

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

From all that I have read about modding the 305, the Vortec heads are the most popular choice because they make good power and are half the cost of aluminum heads. I mean, 372 horsepower is 372 horsepower, whether it's from a Vortec headed engine or an aluminum headed engine. I'm going with the Vortecs on my 305. And you can make well over 400 hp with the Vortecs on a 350, if you ever decide to go that route.

25th92RS

iTrader: (4)

I'm probably not going to go with aluminum heads because of the expense but if I find rediculous deal I'll obviously jump on it. But if you can save 40 or 50 pounds of weight and still get 372hp then I'd say I'd have to favor the Aluminum heads..... technically speaking.

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

True. I guess the trick flow heads would be the best bet for Aluminum heads. They're fairly cheap, for aluminums, and they're more designed for the 305 than any other ones I've seen. I personally am not worried about the weight of the heads. I can't see it making too much of a difference for a daily driven Camaro.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

you can get 113 casting vette heads for less than $500

The Project

iTrader: (6)

Torquers are nice for the price. Went for a ride in a 305 with Torquer heads and ZZ4 cam. GREAT midrange.....lit the tires at will.

Hawk92Z-TDZ would know more about the car as he did the tune.

killa66cam

Did you do any port work to the heads?

Cam

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

I found a guy in Florida who does the 059 305 specific Vortec heads for $320 bucks each. That's not too shabby, in my book. And 059's make good power. I am torn between these and aluminum trick flows. grrr...I don't know if the extra $500 for the 10:1 compression is worth it.

killa66cam

I found some 059's for $200...used of course. I think that the 059's are a good used head that you can usually get a pretty good price on. I would guess that the TF 175's are great heads, may well be the best heads for a 305, but for a $1000 more...they just aren't worth it to me! Especially not on a 305 that I am probably going to replace at some point with a 350, 355, 383, 400, etc. If you want aluminum heads, you may want to look for the vette 113's. There are some on ebay right now for about $400 shipped. That is still $800 less than the TF 175's. If you are never planning to get rid of the 305, and you have the money, go ahead and get the TF 175's. If there may be some other plans that you have in mind...I would probably lean towards cheaper alternatives. Just my 2-cents...not worth much, I know, but I have been thinking about heads for my 305 for a lil while now.

Cam

slow305rs

iTrader: (1)

TFS head will add .2 to your compression ratio due to the slightly smaller than stock combustion chamber.

I'd say worth the extra money. Lighter head, produce more power out of the box and the WOW factor.

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

The trick flows should bump the CR up higher than that, I would think. For a poor dude like me, the Vortecs are the best for my money.

The Project

iTrader: (6)

Don't forget to add the cost of a vortec base manifold (if you don't have one). The vortec heads wont fit right with the regular bases.

killa66cam

I got a set of 059 Vortec heads, a Professional Products Vortec intake, and a GM HEI distributor for $325 last night. I am probably going to end up getting a Edelbrock Vortec intake. They range in price from about $200-$250 new...probably half of that if you can find them used.
I'm with New2Chevy on this one. For my broke a$$...I went with the 059's.

Cam

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

You also have to figure the cost of doing a valve job, changing the springs, etc., to allow for higher lift cams. The 059's I found in Florida are $320.00 each with all the work done to them already. That's much cheaper than if you got them done at a machine shop. The valve job alone costs at least $200.00, and that's a cheap estimate.

New2Chevy

iTrader: (11)

Most guys will want to ditch the tpi and get another intake anyway, to take full advantage of the new camshaft. The Vortecs are still a cheaper way to go.

Shockwe9

Where would you personally buy the vortec heads from ?

Shockwe9

Where would you personally buy the vortec heads from ?