I have a 1979 350 (.060 over) motor that I am building. What kinda heads should i use. I heard vortec heads were a great bang for your buck. Could i even use 90's model vortec heads on my 79? Also what do you guys think about using 305 heads on a 350 to boost compression. I have a pair of 92 heads i could use also...I have around 300 to spend.

Thanks!

 

Vortecs are definitely a nice bang for buck head and will work on your older block, but you do need to get an intake made specifically for those heads. Something to keep in mind and in the budget plans.

 

Alright cool, thanks! Ill probably go and try to pull some off a late 90's chevy truck. Do you know if an edelbrock RPM performer intake will work with vortec heads?

 

They make two,

Performer RPM:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7116/

Performer RPM Air Gap:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7516/

Summit also lists a Performer, Performer EPS, and two different Super Victor manifolds.

 

I love my vortecs but if I had to do it over again I'd go with something aluminum and aftermarket. Vortecs just require too much machinework to make them worth the trouble, then the special intake on top of it just makes it worse.

Screw-in studs, guideplates, and getting them machined for more lift and then maybe larger valves... + new intake... it gets real pricy. Into aftermarket territory. I think I have about $600 in mine.

I'm happy with the performance though.

 

I have been looking at the Patriot Performance aluminum at Summit for $895 .

Says everything but rocker arms.

So about $1100 done.Well a little over $1200 with pushrods but you will need these with any new head probably.

Anyone try these yet?