I wanted the vortecs because they were the cheapest heads but since they have such a lack of manifold choices (may go dual TBI later) I don't think I want to go that root. I came across these heads but have never heard of them, do you think they're worth the money? http://www.superflowheads.com/chev190cc.htm
You can pick up a pair on ebay or http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/superflow_chev.html
for about $550 bare or $850 assembled.
If you don't think these are good heads I may end up saving a bit more for something else
I ran them in DD2003 with my LPE cam @ 9.8 compression and got 390hp and 415tq vs the vortecs 345hp and 405tq

 

What about a ported set of 193's? You can get a pair of them for next to nothing and Fast355 has all kinds of data to show what kind of power you can get out of them.

 

I can't afford the down time as this is my only car and I don't have anyone that will port the darn things for a price that isn't close to buying a set of new heads. Actually I just don't have anyone that will port the heads period. I've talked to quite a few people and no one knows who will port a set of 193s.

 

I just put the flow numbers for Fast355's ported 193s in DD2003, 380hp @ 5500rpm and 410tq @ 4000rpm
I could handle that. But like I said, need to find a porter.

 

First off, should I buy these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-C...QQcmdZViewItem

I think I found a place that will port these heads but I'm not sure what all I would need done, here is a list of the stuff they will do

• Valve Job Stock 3 angle 96.00
• Performance 126.00
• Competition 166.00
• Set up Springs 28.00
• Clean & Check ea. head 16.00
• Pressure Test 32.00
• Install Valve guides 80.00
• Install Bronze Valve Guides 124.00
• Install Candid Valve Guides 92.00
• Hone Valve Guides 48.00
• Mill Heads up to .020 (pr.) 48.00
• Mill Heads Per .010 after .020 8.00
• Mill Heads to CC 96.00
• Mill Intake Surface 56.00
• Angle Mill 135.00
• Set Valve Height add 36.00
• Machine for O.S. Intake Valve 44.00
• Machine for O.S. Exhaust Valve 44.00
• Cut for Teflon Seals 24.00
• Cut for O.S. Springs 28.00
• Install Seats 20.00
• Clean - Lap - Mag. - Set Up Springs 56.00
• Machine for Screw In Studs 80.00
• Machine for Screw In Studs Candid Valve 140.00
• Glass Bead Heads 32.00
• Shot Blast Heads 24.00
• CC Heads Head ea. 64.00
• Figure Compression Ratio (cc head-piston-deck 60.00
• Port Match Gaskets *150.00
• Pocket Port Heads *275.00
• Street-port *560.00
• Comp. *880.00
• Port Intake Manifold *225.00
• Flow Test Head 50.00

 

Are the heads you choose going on a stock LO5? You cannot just throw parts at a motor and achieve a pre-set numerical power value. If you do not get a new set of heads you should take them to an engine machine shop and at least have them checked for cracks, hot tanked, and have the guides cut (for cams over .470" lift). There is no need to mill them and there is not much merit to flow them (given the stock flow values posted here on TGO of SP heads) unless ported. If you plan on running a high lift cam you should consider screw in studs. However, it is not necessary for all combos (just added insurance to a prone problem with cams approaching and exceeding .500" lift). Even if you go the vortec route you will be required to purchase a vortec specific intake. I think you need to step back a second and ask yourself what you want out of this motor. You need to pick a realistic power level given your budget.

 

Here is the engine that is in my brother Tahoe, using unported swirl ports. I then swapped to swirl ports. This is the unported swirl port numbers, using the NEW swirl port flow test from the Stickie (NOT mine). Just to show that I am not biasing toward these heads.

That is 344 HP @ 5,000 and 393 ft/lbs @ 4,000. It dyno'd 288 RWHP, 350, 9.3:1, Stock 193s cut for lift, Crane Roller cam, 1.6:1 rockers, Holley Projection intake, headers, lots of tuning.

Then we later switched it to my ported 193s, lets just say that it hauls.

 

You asked about them going on a stock L05 engine, I'm guessing you mean like stock cam/manifold and all that, if thats the case no. I have a cam and headers so far, neither of them are installed... I can't put the cam in until at the very minimum get the guides cut for the lift .502 w/ 1.6 rockers. I want to run a performer rpm manifold if I go vortecs which I'm really thinking I don't want to do since there aren't a wide selection of manifolds for future modifications (dual tbi or blower) and the whole reason I started this thread. I'd really like to get 300rwhp, I think that is a reasonable power level for my budget. If I go with either the stock SP's or aftermarket nonvortecs I think I'd go for something like a weiand stealth manifold and have it modified to fit.

 

So should I wait for another set of 193's to come up or pick up the ones in that ebay link? What was the torque at the rear wheels on your brothers Tahoe? He seems to be making more power than I can get out of DD2003 with that combo. Which is good of course, but I thought DD2003 inflated numbers??

 

I wouldn't buy a set of cheap heads off of ebay. The cost of shipping outweighs the point of getting them. Look at your local bone yard for a set. These heads should be available in your area.

 

Cheapest I have seen them go for is $75 per head and I'm not sure if they're the right casting number since they're off of a truck. Thats using car-parts.com, not sure if I would get any better luck from actually going to each place and seeing what they've got.

 

There is only one way to find out. I would start calling local yards and seeing what they want. If you walk in with $50 or less chances are you will get the heads.

 

Did trucks have the 193 casting or just the b-cars? I know there were a few differences in the truck L05 and the b-body, they didn't get the hydraulic roller cam and got lower compression but that may just be pistons and not anything to do with the heads.

 

Ok i dont mean to steal your thread man but i also have some similar questions.....i wanted to use the Vortec heads and i know i can get them for about 300....now what i wanted to know was if used stock..no mods to the heads with a comp cam and stock parts from the vortec heads.....would this be good...i have a 305 TBI...the engine itself was bought new in 2003 but everything else is came like it did on the 91 RS.....what do you guys think....

 

You will need a vortec specific intake manifold and lots of chip work. You would really want to have the heads shaved so that you do not lose a great deal of compresson (64cc vs 58cc chamber size difference0.

Swapping heads and cam in these cams requires chip work and the right balance of parts, know how (ie. homework) , and chip tuning.

 

Yes the 193's was on the trucks also. I have a 350 (0.030 over) from a 95 truck in my 89 bird.