Ok i have a set of Vortec heads and can get an Edelbrock Air-gap intake for 100bucks. Well i noticed in summit mag. They have two one for Vortec and one for non Vortec. Whats the difference? I looked up the part # and its the non vortec one. Can i use it and be ok?
Thanks Brad

 

I don't think it's going to bolt right on. I've heard some people have0 custom fabricated non-Vortec ones to fit though, but I've never seen it first-hand.

 

It won't fit, don't try and mod it, it still won't work right!!

 

I think it can be done. I have a vtec engine but havent checked to see if a stock manifold will work but I can check in the morning to see what will have to be done. The GM carb/vortec manifold looks to be a good piece, Im sure you can pick one up a good price.

 

different bolt pattern.

 

It can be done, but I wouldn't recommend it. Some circle track racers do it with success. BUT, these guys are not opposed to tearing down their motor every 2 weeks. If you want good reliability, shuck out the extra couple bucks and get the correct manifold.

Vortec = 8 bolts.
Standard = 12 bolts.
So, drilling, tapping the heads and porting the manifold to match the heads (larger openings) and a lot of jacking around for questionable results.

It really all depends what your time is worth...

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

S-D

 

Well to elaborate on what I was saying. The vortec heads only have 4 manifold bolt holes per head. The angle of the heads are the same as any SBC. The problem is the vortec manifold bolts go straight down | and standard heads are angled \. If you elgogate standard manifold bolt holes and use vortec intake gaskets I see no problems with making it work. I dont think any water passages or air passages are different. The heads dont have a EGR crossover, BFD. I will check like I said and if it can be done Ive got a spare LG4 manifold to play with of course I dont think GM was on the ball with 4 bolts holding the maifold down but eh.

 

The intake ports simply don't match up. There will be a severe gap at the top of the port that the manifold does not reach.

Get the right manifold 'cause it WILL NOT work.

 

Vortec heads have a raised intake port design on top of the bolt pattern issue. Some manifolds won't even cover the top of the ports on the heads. Those that do are not going to line up for jackcrap without a lot of work. Why bother with the heads to **** the power away with the incorrect intake? If you redrill the heads for the standard bolt pattern/angle, you don't have much meat for the threads. Could be stripped out fairly easily...

Just say no to Vortec heads with non-Vortec intakes...

Just comparing the port shapes on my Vortec Performer RPM to a spare standard Performer RPM I had laying around in my garage made it painfully clear that trying to screw around and use the regular intake was a darned bad idea... Too bad I didn't try laying the regular Perf RPM on the heads to see if it even covered the ports though, been curious about that.

 

Ok guys thanks for all the replies. Looks like i got my anwser. I will just get the right manifold to work with my heads to save any trouble.
Thanks again, Brad

 

Ok I checked it today. A standard intake could fit but, the 4 bolt holes sit 1/4 of an inch higher then the manifold bolt holes, elgongating them wont work. The intake ports are close enough with gaskets but not enough to flow well. You could drill and tap new holes easily but with the intake ports missmached it would not be worth it.

 

Thanks for taking the time to check that out for me. Like i said just gonna be smart and buy the right intake. Thanks for all the help guys.
Brad