I just got done bowl blending this set of iron L98 heads I bought.

before


after




After I get all this done a friend of mine tells me he's putting new heads on his 383 and wants to know if I'm interested in buying his Vortecs. They have ~3000 miles and were bought new. They've had the guides cut down and have been machined for 1.43" valve springs. He's selling the Vortecs for $200 minus the springs, retainers, keepers and rocker studs. Just the castings and valves.

Should I finish the L98 heads pictured above? Or should I buy the Vortecs? It'll cost me about the same to do either so which one do you think will be a better choice?

I posted this here because I want some input from those who have run TBI on a 350 with these heads.

 

I think JP will have something to say on the subject, but my bro is currently running these heads with a carb, and all I can say is wow. All this talk about vortec heads is not hype. They really do scream. He's using a cam with a full 10 deg less duration, and a much more restricted exhaust than me and he can just plain run off from me on the highway. We're talkin at least 30-50 hp more and I run high 13's. So with the right cam you can tell us whether or not it's possible to feed 400 hp with TBI

 

Sell the L98's on ebay and use money to finish vortecs!!

 

naaa keep the l98's and sell me the vortecs.

 

I'd go with the Vortecs (keep in mind they need a Vortec-specific intake which would add to your cost if you hadn't planned on buying an intake). Stuff some Manley Street Flows in them (they are available in the smaller 1.94/1.50 size). They are already back-cut and swirl polished similar to stock Vortec valves. They'll set you back about $130 for a set of 16.