Well I've been fighting myself over what I want to do lately. I have a set of lightly ported ZZ4 heads and a set of Vortec heads here at home and I keep wondering which direction I want to go. I want the ZZ4 heads for the weight advantage but I want the Vortecs for the Power advantage. I still want to use my ZZ4 cam but to use the Vortecs I'd need a new intake. What should I do? either way I'm going to have to modify something to use either head. I'm stumped.....Any help?

 

Wow... 18 views and nobody knows? some help here would be great.

 

I think you would get more power out of the vortx , go with that compared to your zz4 heads ...weight over power.... I would go with power, as you would only loose... 50 odd pounds maybe

vortec with tbi also sounds better unless you plan to switch

 

With the Vortecs you'll have to use a completely different intake and machine the Vortecs to accept the lift of the ZZ4 cam if that hasn't already been done. With the ZZ4 heads you'll need to modify a few bolt holes on your intake so it'll bolt up. It's a matter of personal preference in my opinion. I kind of got the best of both by using aluminum vortecs. As far as power I don't know which heads would make more power.

Gene

 

If you are staying with the 305 under them, the ZZ4 heads will actually work better than the vortecs. They will maintain the stock compression ratio of the 305.

 

the ZZ4's have been milled down as far as they can go, almost to the intake valve seat. and I did some light smoothing of the intake side and I polished the exhaust side. I'm just worried about the ZZ4's because when I purchesed them from ebay the seller did'nt bother to tell me that the engine they were on had lost 2 pistons and it chewed up the face of the heads abit, hence why they were shaved down so far. Plus one of the intake valve guides seems to still have alittle damage but it's alittle cracked around the valve guide. The machinist I had repair the heads replaced the valve guide with a new one and said that it should be fine but it still has me wondering.

 

I would be more inclined to use the ZZ4 heads but with what you've described about them, I'm not so sure.

I would keep your vortecs for the upcoming (someday) 350 swap and pick up a set of used 87 and up LG4 or TPI 305 heads. 1.94" valves and a little port work, replace every component of the exhaust.

Build a 350 on the stand with your vortecs to upgrade later while you drive your mild 305.

 

I'm not bored with the 305 yet and it's still in good running shape so it's going to sta for alittle while. I'll post up pics of what i'm talking about alittle later.

 

here's what I'm talking about.

 

any thoughts anybody before this thread slips away? Will this head still be ok?

 

I'm inclined to run parts even if they might be bad - because they might be good!

The point is, I have more time than money. I can buy gaskets while I try different sets of used of second hand heads over and over before I ever buy new stuff.

I'd run them and go for it.

 

I think you should run the Vortec's and send me the ZZ4's to "test" out for you.

 

DOH!! It completely slipped past me that you're still using the 305. Listen to Fast. I even contemplated using the ZZ4 heads on my 305 before I swapped it to a 350.

 

well does anybody know if that little problem on my intake valve will be an issue? plus I have another question. Since the heads have been milled down so far would I have to get new pushrods and what kind of head gasket would I need to get?

 

anybody?

 

apparently nobody knows.

 

I've seen worse... far worse

 

I don't see anything in the picture that I would be concerned about.