I'm replacing my LG4 heads. I am well aware that putting a 350 in place of the LG4 would be a better idea, but it's not happening(Lack of tools and stuff).

So the question is Vortecs or WP S/R Torquer 305s? I don't want to do too much porting/polishing. I'd be getting a shop to shave a bit off the Vortecs to keep compression UP a little too.

Price difference is a big deal too $500/pr for the vortecs and $700/pr for the World heads.

Well, what do you guys think?

 

Don't forget the $180 Vortec intake manifold, and $50 self-aligning rocker arms. You'll also need centerbolt valve covers. You mentioned getting them shaved, how much were you quoted? (that's to keep the compression up, BTW). The heads have to come apart before you do that, so have to be reassembled after.

Hmmm, looks like you've exceeded the $200 price difference.

Vortecs are probably okay (if you don't have emissions inspections/testing to worry about). You'll still be limited to .450" lift, and have the normal factory pull-out rocker studs.

Worlds will pass emissions muster, don't require the special parts, will support .500" lift out of the box (easily upgraded up-front), and have screw-in rocker studs. The one nit is that they do benefit from some pocket porting (full porting produces even more improvement). But, you said only that you didn't want to do too much porting, so even that fits your criteria.

 

One problem is that if you go over a certain lift, you're gonna slam the valves into the cylinder walls cuz it's under a 4 inch bore.

 

good call. you dont want to go to 350 heads. it will drop your compression too much. i would go for the worlds and then port them. just my 2 cents....

 

The vortecs will outperform the S/R's hands down.
Even if they cost a little more all said and done, (which they won't
if you do it right) the difference in actual in car performance will
be well worth it. The S/R's will need signifigent porting
to equal the power and torque of a set of vortecs.

Only do what is absolutely nessessary to get the vortecs ready for your car. You do not need screwin studs for moderate performance on your 305. Have the guides shortened .200" and install new performance replacement springs. Reuse the stock retainers and locks and seals. You do not need or want a super high lift cam for a moderate 305 .470" is plenty.
There is no need to over inflate the cost of installing the vortecs
on your mild 305. Find a shop that can prepare these heads for you without making a $$mega project$$ out of it. A simple .040" cut off the decks will get the cr you want.
Match it up with a mild torquey 305 friendly cam .470" or less.

You also have the option of rebuilding your 305 heads.
You can port them and upgrade the valves to 1.94x1.50 to good effect even if you have to rebuild the guides. (which you may not)
If you already have "416" heads you have a good head to start with.

 

and don't have yer heads shaved... even that little bit will screw up your valve train geometry and intake manifold sealing enough to cause U some issues... buy heads with the same CC chamber.

 

Highly unlikely. The most you'd need to do is enlargen the manifold bolt holes a little. A .040" cut is nothing to worry about.

 

That's what I meant. Keep compression UP

 

??? have you ever slammed valves into the bores of a 305? That's not even a remote concern in this application.....