I'm planning on picking up a set of vortec heads off gmpartsdepot.com and know I have to pick up the intake too, which I need to get a new one anyway.
What is something that I might not be realizing about hte vortecs right now?
I've heard there are EGR things to worry about so as too keep it street legal, what are the problems? I was going to pick up the cast iron's instead of aluminum because they are cheaper and they don't break as easy.
What am I missing?

 

ok one other thing to add..
If you think I should go with something other than the vortec's tell me what it is and why.
I'm looking for an inexpensive bang for the buck cylinder head and intake setup. I definately need a new intake and TBI so I figure I might as well play with the cylinder heads too.
Lemme know what you think.
-Justin

 

Vortec heads are the best bang for the buck heads you can get. They regularly go for $500 (modded for higher lift), which is a great deal considering you can hit 420hp with them on a mild 350 motor (well maybe not too mild). You can also find cheap Performer RPM intakes that fit vortec's, you don't have to go with a gmpp intake. I don't think vortec's have EGR (or maybe it's the performer rpm for them, I can't remember). You won't have and EGR valve, so that's one less thing to worry about. Everything else will function the same though, and if you're in an emission state you should still pass the visual no problem. If you had a choice between cast iron and aluminum, I would go with aluminum, it's just as strong, besides if you crack and aluminum head it can be welded easily, a cracked cast iron head is pretty much junk or it's really exspensive/hard to repair. Aluminum heads will also take a good 50lbs off the front of your car too helping with weight transfer. The GM heads are good, but the aftermarket Vortec style heads are much better. You might look into Pro Topline, they have a vortec style line or if you have some extra money, Edelbrock has their E-tec heads which are aluminum BTW. Both those aftermarket heads have screw in studs, modified for higher lift, thicker walls, optional bigger valves, and usually high quality manley valves. Of course the thing with the E-tecs are that for just a little more you can get AFR's which blow them away. Oh, and for the TBI unit, check out the Holley Commander 670, I've heard good things about it.

 

Since the Vortec heads do not have EGR openings I used the GM Performance Parts Vortec TBI intake and SLP headers (or any headers with AIR tubes) to accomodate it.
I inject air into the passengers side headers and draw exhaust gas from the drivers side header to feed the EGR system. Note the braided hose coming from the header going into the intake manifold.
The 305 to 350 Vortec swap went well and I do not get any SES lights. Fuel economy is excellent and car performs well.

Go for it and keep us updated.

S-D

Also, I just bought a brand new pair of Vortec 8060 casting heads from a guy for $425 shipped. Don't know what price you've gotten from GM Parts depot but this guy is very reasonable and ships fast.

 

Just realized it, but ignore everything I said about the performer rpm intake.... I just made that connection that you were running tbi... I guess I shouldn't post that early in the morning...

 

lol
thanks guys both your posts are helpful.
So I should look into getting the after market vortech's and don't worry about the cast iron's little extra strength..
cool When I save money I shall let you know what happens..

 

www.sdpc2000.com sells a kit that includes modded Vortec heads that can handle up to .525 lift, head bolts, gaskets, GM Performance Parts TBI intake, intake bolts, gaskets, and some EGR adaptors for alittle about $1050.

Or if you just want to get the Performer Vortec carb intake the kit is only $900.

 

Pro Topline vortechs are also worth looking into. There has been discussion on them over in the Aftermarket board. I'm using them and get pretty good numbers (well time slips that is) and flow. Also, I believe they come stock capable of .550" lift, and are comparable to gm's price wise. I think they are only sold bare, but I'm not sure, but it does give you a chance to pick your own springs, valves and retainers. If I have one complaint about the vortechs however, it would have to be the limited selection of intake manifolds. Moreover, if I did ever make the big $$$ and wanted to swap over to something like the stealth ram, I couldn't because it's not available for vortechs. Still the best bang for your buck as far as heads go though.
BTW, I really like what you did with the egr swerve. Very well done.

 

yeah, i really like how you did your EGR too, makes me think i can get away with using Vortec heads in CA.

 

Do you guys think that these heads and intake combinations can be used on my 93 TBi 350 caprice, and what cam do you recommend?

 

Y'up, they can be used on your '93 caprice. The cam really depends on what your goals are, and what exactly you plan on doing to your heads as far as max lift is concerned. I would definetely recommend a hydraulic roller. Assumning the lift of the cam is between .450"-.480", you probably want a lsa of 112 or so.

 

If you had my car what exactly would you use cam ect. I want the best performance i can get from my car without abuse and damage to the engine.

 

Well, I am by no means a cam expert. But taking your caprice's weight into consideration as well as sticking with the 2bbl tbi, I would imagine you would want more low end torque as opposed to making peak power at 6,000rpm. The two cams I would be looking at would be comp cams #63-08-300-8 specs 206 / 210, .450 / .480 112 LSA or #63-08-302-8 specs 210 / 220, .480 / .480 112 LSA. The LSA will make for easy prom tuning, while the cam's lift is right at the max the vortecs can take in their stock form. I also highly recommend staying with a hydraulic roller cam, because 1) your engine is already set up for it, and 2)they are more profficient at making low end torque while retaining upper rpm hp.
You can find more cam selections and prices at http://www.thunderracing.com/index.c...yid=1110#T1136 Hope this helps

 

I've got a 204/214 cam in my truck with a 350 tbi and it's got great low end. If I could do it again I would go larger though...

 

I second those cam selections- they sound like they would take care of Memph1z.
Memph1Z, the 93 caprice motor is the one I used for my build up (91 camaro RS). I used the stock bottom end and Vortec heads. The cam I used required that I use Comp valve springs 981-16. I used a slightly larger cam (Comp 08-500-8, 206/212 .480/.488 lift and 112 LSA), but Comp Cams mentions that this cam is used to increase top end power. I think R90camaroRS' observation of good low end torque for your car being a main requirement is right on. I think the cam grinds he mentions give you an excellent group to choose from.
S-D

 

I have the 206°/210°, .450/.480 cam in my caprice and am very pleased with it's power curve.

 

I've got the Vortec heads and the cam selections sound good but what does a guy do about the EPROM? I know absolutly nothing about tuning it myself. Who do I get to program it for me? What do I need to know to give the right information to the programer?

 

swerve-driver, would you mind posting the name and adress of the guy you bought your heads from?
Thanks

 

Please contact him via e-mail: partspup24@yahoo.com

 

That is a big question- one I was asking myself about a year ago. I wound up reading and understanding the available information on this site, buying the equipment and doing it myself. I highly recommend this approach, though other routes are available. Search this site for related topics TBI, ecm, chip etc... and see what you come up with.
There is even a tech aritcle concerning chip burning.
S-D