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Vortech head swap

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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 07:28 PM
  #1  
TreDeClaw's Avatar
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 97
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Car: 1983 TA WS6
Engine: 357 (5.7L)
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Vortech head swap

Here is the add,
"Sbc vortec 906 heads, fresh valve job, cooked, cleaned fresh from machine shop Casting #10239906. $450.00"
Looking to swap those heads from my camel hump. Here are my specs.
-357
-10 to 1 compression
-Comp cams Xtreme energy cam 12-262-4
-69 Corvette double hump heads
-Edelbrock performer Rpm air gap intake
-650 Holley vacuum secondary
-1.5 rockers


He says they look stock to spec, what else would I need besides intake and valve covers? New springs?
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 10:33 PM
  #2  
RamIt's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 497
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From: El Sobrante, California
Car: 1984 z28
Engine: Crate replacement L31R 350
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 7.625" 28 spline 3.23
Re: Vortech head swap

I dont think it would be much of a power gain over what you already have unless your heads are in bad shape. A gain yes, but not worth the cost.
Your rockers may not work. The vortecs come with guided rockers and they need to be narrow body to work with centerbolt heads.
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Old Feb 18, 2016 | 02:59 PM
  #3  
stephenscamaro's Avatar
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 129
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From: Hermiston, Oregon
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 2.8 to 383
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Vortech head swap

Originally Posted by RamIt
I dont think it would be much of a power gain over what you already have unless your heads are in bad shape. A gain yes, but not worth the cost.
Your rockers may not work. The vortecs come with guided rockers and they need to be narrow body to work with centerbolt heads.
+1
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Old Feb 18, 2016 | 11:30 PM
  #4  
Night rider327's Avatar
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,535
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From: Bowdon, GA.
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 355, 10.34:1, 249/252 @.050", IK200
Transmission: TH-400, 3500 stall 9.5" converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9", detroit locker, 3.89 gears
Re: Vortech head swap

The vortecs will gain 20-30 HP over the old camel humps.

You need rocker arms for 1987 and up sbc. They are self alineing rockers arms.
You will need center bolt valve covers and gaskets, fel pro ms9800T intake gaskets, vortec intake, 5/16" intake bolts, better valve springs
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Old Feb 19, 2016 | 08:17 AM
  #5  
HEFF16's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 25
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From: Norwood, Ontario, Canada
Car: '88 IROC-Z
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Vortech head swap

I have a 350 4 bolt. Was thinking of putting a set of Vortec heads on to replace stock. Worth hassle or money to do so or just have the stock heads cleaned up?
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Old Feb 19, 2016 | 09:20 AM
  #6  
Blizzard Bill's Avatar
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Joined: Aug 2015
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Re: Vortech head swap

Why waste $450 on used heads that are known for cracking, most shops claim they rarely find a good set for rebuilding. Put another $150 buck to the 450 and buy after market steel or aluminum heads. that would be the same price you'll be spending on this deal with an intake. Plus the other parts you'll need.
The only reason to run 15 year old heads is if a racing class requires it. Just about any aftermarket head will out perform the best factory head. The worst thing about aftermarket heads is the cheap Chinese valve parts, replace those and your good.
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Old Feb 21, 2016 | 04:01 AM
  #7  
novaderrik's Avatar
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 6
From: Howard Lake, MN
Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 355- hopefully a 5.3 this summer
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Vortech head swap

get the vortecs.

raid a TBI pickup in a junkyard for rocker arms and valve covers. upgrade the springs to match whatever your cam is.

buy an Edelbrock Vortec intake, stock GM gaskets, and stock GM intake bolts.

bolt it together and enjoy the increased power across the power band..
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