I know that there are tons of "Vortec" Posts, but I didn't find an answer to what I was looking for.

After researching heads for awhile, and now that I can actually afford to buy perf parts for my car, The Vortecs seem like the best deal. My question is should I get the heads fully assembled or get them bare and get an entire cam kit with springs, rockers and all? I was recently reading an article on how buying cam kit can be better because all components (Springs, rockers and cam) are perfectly matched. The Stock Vortecs cam selection is restricted by the springs(and engine size).

Prices from www.gmpartsdirect.com

Complete Vortec: 235.00 ea
Bare Vortec: 220.00 ea
LT4 Cam kit: 475.00

For now I am looking for an excellent running 305 with some power that I can take away to school and not have to worry about reliability. I plan to throw these parts onto a 350 someday, that is why I am trying to decide if I should put the money into the heads now. Given the price, it's probably worth it to just get the complete Vortecs and worry about the 350 when it comes time.

Any input is appreciated!!

Thanks, Matt

The stock vortecs can handle the stock LT4 (non hot) cam fine, although I'd run an LT1 cam since you can pick them up used cheap, then couple those with the Vortecs and you'd scoot pretty good. Plus if you ever do go 350 you'll want a larger cam than the LT4 is.

I picked up my vortecs for $405 used with better springs valve guide work, so I didnt think I paid too much. I dropped $35 for the cam. Both were in great condition.

It really wont be all the reliable until you get tuning though.

Keep in mind that if you get the heads bare you will have to have them machined for bigger springs if you want to use an LT1 or LT4 cam. Vortecs are a truck head and were not meant for large lift cams. That is why I would order mine from Scoggin-Dickey with the larger z-28 springs. When I bought mine the guy their told me there would be no way the stock springs could support an LT1 cam and the Lt4 cam is even bigger. Plus Scoggin-Dickey can do the machine work more cheaply than you probably could if you took it to a shop. They do more than just slap bigger springs on.

Just a quick question, I have a set of Lt-1 head and want to get your thoughts about them. I thought i read in super chevy or CHP, that the vortec were better flowing stock heads, but if you took the Lt-1 head to a machine shop and had some work done to them that they would out flow the vortec hands down. I know the Lt-1 head are pricey but i already have a set that needs a valve job. Just wanted your thoughts with the lt-1s and a lt-1 cam or one little more beefer. Thanks Brian

I think that if you did some port work on LT1 heads they would outflow stock vortecs, by how much Im not sure. But you have to remember that LT1 heads are reverse cool heads and will need some machine work to put them on if your block is not an Lt1 block. I looked into doing this myself, but the cost of the heads and the machine work required was too much I thought.
I think that If you took vortec heads and had them ported they would flow about the same as ported LT1 heads. Vortec heads and LT1 heads are similar in intake volume and chamber design.