Bad Pun, Austin Powers Style.

Anyways, Im Looking at a Gmpp L98 Assembled Shortblock as a Starting Place to Build a slightly over warmed street/strip Motor For My Sport coupe.

My question in this thread, Is, what Heads would Some of Your recommend?

Im Not looking for 600 Hp or any artifical Number Like that, Im Looking For a Decent performer that Will Do My 1.1k$ Shortblock justice.

I know some will Suggest AFR's, trickflow, eldebrock and the like, And Yeah they are all great performers, except a liittle Spendy for My College budget.

I really Like the Idea of the L31 Vortechs, except the Lack of EGR provision leads to Some problems In the Golden state here. I am, However, not entirely opposed to bi annual Engine swaps To pass smog, If that need be the Case.

Would I be dissapointed with Stock, L98 Cast Iron Heads ? I would definately attack these with the Die grinder, But I have never ported a head before ( altho I plan to practice on th LG4 before undertaking this ) So I Dont imagine I could Do Much Magic, Maybe just improve them a little.

I also Noticed that Dart Iron eagles were about In the Right price range. However, I have no idea On the Smog provisions Of these heads.

What about an Older casting, Stock GM head ( Not smogger heads Tho )

hell, what about a Good ole Home Ported set of 882's ( thats the SMogger, Right ? ) the price there is Definately Right.


But realistically, Im stuck between Going the Vortech Path, Wich Im sure I would be satisfied with Hp and $$ Wise except it raises some Emissions Problems , The L98 cast Iron Path, Wich Would Feel Right $$ Wise, But Im afriad May leave me Feeling Dissapointed Performance Wise.

Is there a better third Choice For me ?


Thank You In advance, all Who lend their Wisdom ( or demonstrate lack of it )



------------------
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver

Livin' the Stereotype

 

Bort,

I could have suggested you see the post entitled "My girlfriend is faster than me...", but I don't think I'll go any farther.

The Vortecs not only provide a nice flow right out of the box, but evidently have some room for improvement if you feel like installing larger valves and doing some port work.

There is an EGR tube on LT1 engines that will work with the Vortec heads, provided you get the correct EGR valve and intake.

Aside from that, some stock 882, 462, or 441 heads can be made to flow very well, and the 882s are preferred of the three. They seem to have the best exhaust flow of all three. Some larger Manleys and a little bowl and short-side work could get you some respectable flows.



------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"I'm gonna talk about some freaky sheet now..."
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0
KaleCo Auto Parts

 

Yes Vader, subtle comedy is Acheived By merely hinting, And usually has a Much more pronouned effect as Opposed to Stating the Seemingly Obvious.

And Since Im still Lurking the board, I will reply.

I can Nab some 882's For free, So perhaps I will start there...

If I were to start On some 882's, Would there be any Reason I couldnt Use all springs, valves ( okay maybe not valves ), retainers and Other Head hardware I end up purchasing On a new Set of Vortechs if Im Not Happy With the results ?


the Concern I have With the Vortechs and EGR, is the Intake.

Weather or Not the heads have a EGR passage is of littel concern, as I dont need my EGR to actually Function During my emissions test. My Concern is that the Valve itself Be mounted on the manifold To pass visual Inspection.

This is the Problem With the Vortech Manifolds, the only one I know of with provision For an EGR valve is made By GMPP, and is roughly 250$. That is alot for Any Intake, Especially one that is On Questionble performance value.

If A Intake, Similar to the Edlebrock RPM were offerd For the Vortech Bolt pattern, With provision For a EGR, then It would be easy ( providing a resonable price )

Even if, a Low Priced, Low performance EGR manifold For these heads were avaliable, Such that I could merely Swap prior to the Smogger.

All this being Said, this project Is several Months away Due to Finacial reasons, So I Have plenty Of time to Slave away at some free 882's.

Wich casting Number are the L98's ?

And Just to Make Sure I Have My #'s strait, a 1978 Corvette With the L48 350 Would Have Wich head casting, 882 Correct ?




------------------
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver

Livin' the Stereotype

 

Why not just get the vortecs that come drilled and tapped for an old style intake? or just redrill or take a die grinder to an old intake to make it work with the stock vortec pattern? I think that's how Hot Rod mag. did it with a weiand action+.

 

I was not aware that there was a vortech Head redrilled For Conventional Intake USe.


Where Can I get some More information on these heads ?

Thanks.



------------------
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver

Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype

 

62,

Try PACE Chevrolet. They sell 'em.

BOR

 

Thanks BOR, Have a web address If I cant Find them myself here ?


TIA

------------------
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver

Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype

 

http://www.paceparts.com/small_block_chevy_heads.htm



------------------
My `91 Z28 Convertible

 

Thanks, yet again.

I guess that pretty Much decides it, Vortechs Atop a L31 4 bolt Main Shortblock.

I guess the only other Policy Question I have is Fuel Pumps.

Is this block Drilled for a Mech Pump, Or am I going to have to get Eletrical ?


Thanks

------------------
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver

Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype