I have an opportunity to purchase some Vortec Heads for 150$ complete. I'd like to add SDPC Heavy Duty Z-28 springs which are good for .570 lift. By the time I hand these heads over to a machine shop with those springs, how much would it be for them to replace seals and install those springs so they are ready to bolt on.

Reason I ask is SDPC (Scoggin Dickey) sells these heads for near 700$ brand new which support up to .570 lift.

 

buy some springs from lunati or comp. gm springs aren't very good. match the springs to your cam, not just get a big set of springs. for much over .45 lift you need to mill the valve guides down. cost me 2 dollars for each spring seat to open up. i doubt you find a shop that'll do seals with out grinding seats and valves. call the shops in your area and ask prices. there's a big differance in prices from one place to another.

 

As with all GM factory heads, they come with pretty crappy cast iron guides. I would have the machine shop check them out. I bought a used set that had 60K on them and the guides were shot. With the initial cost ($200) plus the installation of new guides, fresh valve job with cut back valves, pocket porting, installation of new springs, shortening the guides for larger lift, and a fresh deck surface, I have $575 in them. Your actual cost will depend on machine shops in your area.

 

What lift will your heads support?

Do I let the machine shop deal with parts, or should I provide some parts and just let them go at it? 575$ is still cheaper not to mention shipping.

 

My heads will support up to 525" of lift. I am using the Comp Cams Conical shaped springs because with them I was able to avoid enlargening the spring pads. I don't remember the part number but will pass it along when I find my Jegs catalog. The springs should be ordered with the recommended retainers and locks. That would be about the only things to bring to the machine shop. They would supply the guides. If the valves are bad, go with the Manley Street Flo's. Great price...improved flow. Ask the shop to back cut the valves regardless of which valves are used. Hopefully they will know what your talking about.

 

Okay I think I am going to go ahead and do this.

Ive been researching a little bit.

I think I'm going to go with Manley street flo valves with the GM Z-28 Heavy duty springs (rated to .560). I really dont know why not to go with GM springs although I'm sure there are better. But Scoggin Dickey puts these on their heads and car craft made 444 fwhp with them all for like 55$. For the rest of the pieces I'll probably just ask SDPC what I should get along with those springs.

Well I am at 150$ for heads, 120$ for valves, 55$ for springs. Now how much do you think the rest of the parts will cost me, plus labor at the machine shop?

Just reasoning why not to buy them new, but I guess this way I get a little better flow and a little bit better equipment right ?

 

the reason you don't use gm springs is becasue they're junk and for the same money you can get better springs from comp or lunati. it doesn't matter if everyone and their brother uses them and make xxx HP with a set on the heads they're still junk and always will be.

 

Okay thats fine, but if you could give me a brand and a part # of springs which are relatively close in price then I'll glady get those. It's just when I was searching Comp Cams they had em for like 140$ which is sort of out of my budget due to this "budget rebuild"

 

I think your on the right track by rebuilding. I would think the guide installation, if needed, valve job including back cutting, and surfacing the deck should be about $280. Add another $30 to shorten the guides to allow more lift. Some parts of the country are more...some are less. I would consider the Comp Cams Conical springs (PN 249-982-16) for $62. They will eliminate the need to cut bigger spring pockets and the conical shape has shown to last longer than conventional springs. The total cost would come in at just under Scoggin's but should be superior in performance. Ask around about references for the shop you choose. If you can't find a good one, new is the way to go.

 

Could you tell me where you bought your springs from, just cant seem to find that number.

Also, there should be some shops around here that can do this, were not that small of a city, I'll just ask some friends.

 

That part number is right out of the Jegs Catalog. Actually 982-16 is the Comp Cams part number. "-16" meaning 16 springs each. The 249 is a Jegs specific number. Sorry if I led you down the primrose.