Did the search found to much and nothing. My question is does the 88 tpi vortec heads give my 86 tpi more power or am i wasting my time, and will that intake work on after market vortec heads insted of wasting 500$ on spdc.I know it sounds dum but i need to be reasured..Thanks guys i would really appriciate the feedback...laters
Sorry posted in wrong thread should have been in tech if enybody can move it that would be appriciated.

 

Vortec head intake ports are a completely different shape. You'll have to buy an entirely new manifold/intake especially for them.

You'll definitely get more power out of them, but it's all about gettin the combination right.

 

Vortec heads are (L31?) 1996 to about 2002 models, or new. 1988 TPI heads are not vortec. They will use centerbolt valve covers and a different intake manifold bolt angle for the center 4 bolts of the intake. Vortec heads use a completely different intake pattern and yours won't work at all. I'm not sure they will help you gain anything more than a headache over what you have now with 88 TPI heads. You also have to change your TPI base or modify the center bolt holes.

If you buy real vortec heads, you will need to visit Scoggin-Dickey for a vortec TPI base. It's a nice upgrade to your setup but dollar for dollar, you may be better off using older style heads with your intake.

You actually have a slight aftermarket advantage with your 86 intake being "old style" intake bolt pattern. All of the aftermarket small block heads for the old engines will go right on.

 

Thanks for shedding light into my issue guys. Ill be looking for older heads for sale now. I appriciate the quick response...

 

dude!!!! those heads are what all others are measured by,, and there is a reason for that!!! do some research on car magazines web sites and you will see why!!!!

 

Basically, your looking at $400 for a SPDC Vortec TPI base + $525 for a pair of base Vortec heads (you can opt for higher lift capable springs, stock maxes out at .450-.470, depending o who you talk to)...

So...Approximately $900, for heads & a base, or keep your stock base, and buy a $900 set of non-Vortec intake heads...

I'm probably just going to buy a $3000 TPI/L31 (Vortec) long block (with the intake base), swap the cam, upgrade my runners, port everything, and call it done for under $3500 for a long block, after sales taxes.

 

I'm not a big chevy guy, but that with an LT4 cam is what I recommend over and over to my friends who are doing their first swap/upgrade.

It's easy, cost-effective, and you can really feel the difference afterwards!

 

LT4 cam/Vortec heads/TPI? What kind of HP/ & torque #s are we talking about? Not just peak if you know, but a range?

 

Just wanted to chime in on this one. I got a set of GMPP vortecs on my motor. I heard every lift range from .440" - .510" . The fact is if you do get a set of Vortecs, and you set them up yourself (i.e. springs and such), check your clearances!! I forget the tolerance before spring binding, but Im runnin .490 and every one of my springs were in the green. If you wanna be safe, you can have them machined out so you dont worry about it. But my point is dont just throw out the idea of Vortecs based on its low-lift capabilities. For a street motor, they pretty stout if built right

Nuther thing: If you wanna a GOOD deal on some heads, go to your local Chevy dealer and talk to the parts guys about buying a core motor from them. All 350s (excluding LT1 and LS1) have a core charge of $100, which is what GM pays them when they send it back in. So if there's a big enough dealer around you, you can go pick up a Vortec 350 longblock core for $100. Some dont like this idea because you dont know really what you're getting until you take it all apart, but Ive seen some niiice core motors sell for $100 that just need a few bearings, everything else perfect. Maybe spend $50 on valve seals, and a little more to have the machine shop check the heads over. Just a thought...

 

Sorry, no dyno info here. I only know that my friend Roger broke into 12.99 range with not enough tuning.

He's in LA, so when I hear from him again I'll see if he ever hit the dyno. It's just a mish-mash of stuff lying around that really worked good.

The TPI was opened up (siamesed runners) with an aftermarket throttle body (don't know which one)

 

WOW! guys thanks for the replys alot of great info and advice. I think im gonna go with the afermarket type heads.I agree it wouldnt make eny sense to buy an intake then heads. Witch ones to buy on a budget? Im from Texas enybody got a set of good used heads? Again