If you plan to use Cast GM Vortec heads, be prepared to search for new headers. On the passenger side, the farthest back bolt on a stock manifold will no go in. There is no hole in the head or even a boss in which you can drill and tap. Right now I have to deal with an annoying tick. Any good suggestions on which headers I should go with?

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1988 Camaro Sport Coupe: Orignally: 305 TBI 700r4
Now: 1974 350CI, 2bolt,.030 over, Badger Flat Head Pistons w/ valve relief, Melling high performance street cam, GM Cast Vortec Heads, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap Intake, Edelbrock 600cfm w/ electric choke, GM HEI w/ vacuum advance, Weiand Low Profile Air Cleaner, Mallory 5 port Fuel Pressure Regulator, Mr. Gasket Throttle Cable Bracket, Corvette Shift Servo, 16" IROC Wheels, Every thing else is STOCK

 

what do you mean it wont go in? theres a bolt broke off in the head? there is no bolt hole? try running a 3/8 16 tap in the hole with the manifold bolted up, but not tight. those stock manifolds have a bad tendency about warping, and results in the manifold not being long enough(i know it sounds strange, but i have seen in many times at our shop) the easiest way to fix it is to drill out the holes on the end bolt holes. this makes the manifold "longer" and will let you start the bolts. when drilling out the holes, dont go much bigger than what it already is, you can also wallor(i think i spelled it right)the hole to make it fit better. hope this helps.

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Wide Open Till You See God...Then Brake

 

i just re read your post. ooooppps. i mis read it. so there is no bolt hole there at all? i ran into this problem on my buddys firebird, 2nd gen, the 400 heads he had didnt have bolts on the outer edges. so we marked them, drilled and tapped them, they work great. sorry for the mis post.

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Wide Open Till You See God...Then Brake

 

You cant use f-body manifolds on Vortec heads because that last bolt hole is missing. But headers use the inner bolt hole, so you are fine with any set of headers.

I didnt know that, I just looked on my dad's set of Vortec heads and discovered it.

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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
317 RWHP, 418 RWTQ
13.23 @ 107.62 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Member: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

I dare not drill into my Vortec heads. Do you guys have good recommendations for headers?

 

Yeah, the swap meet brand. I picked up a set for $30, blasted them, now I'm going to spray them with 1500* paint that will flake in 2 weeks. Go with your prefered brand.



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Joshua Johnston
1991 Z-28
Flowmaster
K&N
305 / 5spd. (Temporary)
Soon to have:
350, Ported Vortec heads, Edelbrock RPM, Holley 750 D.P., HEI, 11.07:1 CR, Comp Cams Roller-.510"/.520"-282*/288* dur., Shorty Headers, Dual 2.5 Exhaust, T&R Motorsports custom air intake