This is the first I've heard about Edelbrock offering new aluminum Vortec heads, two models.

A basically stock one it would appear from the flow numbers called the E-TEC 170. Comes w/ screw in studs and guideplates, no mention of max lift. It has a slightly bigger 1.55" exhaust valve which claims 20% more exhaust flow than iron Vortecs. 170cc intake ports, 64 cc combustion chambers.

Then there's the E-TEC 200. Which has 200cc intake ports, w/ 2.02/1.60 valves. I was looking at Edelbrock's site and they claim they will outflow the Fastburns by a decent bit.

Both require Vortec specific intakes, but they have provisions for either perimeter or center bolt valve covers.

Here's the flow numbers from the CHP Article:

E-TEC 170
------ I --- E
.050- 32 --- 21
.100- 63 --- 48
.200- 126 -- 100
.300- 177 -- 132
.400- 215 -- 160
.500- 240 -- 172
.600- 240 -- 180

E-TEC 200
------ I --- E
.050- 30 --- 23
.100- 63 --- 50
.200- 123 -- 102
.300- 177 -- 138
.400- 220 -- 171
.500- 252 -- 188
.600- 257 -- 197

As you can see, the 200s don't flow much more until you get up to .400 and above lift...

Here are the stock Iron Vortec numbers, as per an earlier issue of CHP, which for some reason seems to flow better than the Edelbrock pieces on intake all the way up past the mid lift numbers, which doesn't make much sense... But the exhaust starts to noticeably lag behind pretty quickly:

Vortec
------ I --- E
.050- 40 --- 25
.100- 70 --- 48
.200- 139 -- 101
.300- 190 -- 129
.400- 227 -- 140
.500- 239 -- 147
.600- 229 -- 151


Anyone happen to know what Edelbrock is trying to sell these heads for?? I couldn't find any numbers...


------------------
Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray


[This message has been edited by Ray87Z (edited March 21, 2001).]

 

Summit has them for for under $1100. There is less than $100 difference between the two models. Looks like a pretty decent deal to me. I've been considering some Vortecs, but after machining for bigger springs, bigger valves, etc., the price starts climbing quick. I think I might just save a little longer and spend a little more and get aluminum to boot!!

 

Hmm, I don't think there is anyway in hell they're worth that. Well, not for the 170s at least. I was hoping they would be coming in around $850ish to compete w/ the Trickflow 23 degree heads...

BTW, Scoggin Dickey sells Vortecs premodded for higher lift cams (some clearancing work) w/ better springs, etc for like $550 last I heard. Supposed to be good to around mid .500s lift or something I believe.

------------------
Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray

[This message has been edited by Ray87Z (edited March 21, 2001).]

 

Just for the sake of comparison, here's the Fastburn's flow numbers ($1085 for the set)...

Lift Int Exh
--------------
.100 071 050
.200 139 089
.300 178 118
.400 208 142
.500 230 158
.600 242 165

-Mark W.
'88 SC Camaro w/ 305 TBI

[EDIT] I got to looking at 'em and my numbers didn't look right, so I double checked my numbers

[This message has been edited by Mark305TBI (edited March 22, 2001).]

 

thats some great info Ray.

If you are planning a mild street car though, the stock heads are better and cheaper, these new aluminums are really only better if you've a got a seriously radical cam. I don't think that increased exhaust flow will help all that much at .4x lift on the street.
and for for the extra $$$ compared to vortecs irons, all you gain is weight savings IMO.
thanks for sharing that info


[This message has been edited by Jer82Z28 (edited March 22, 2001).]

 

oh yeah chp did a article on theyre flow numbers as well check it out at:www.airflowresearch.com these heads rock and are wayyyyyy better than the vortecs of any kind for about the same price!!

------------------
89 firebird formula

356 10.5:1compression
comp cams xe262 cam
performer rpm intake
#1405 edlebrock 600
sportsman 2 heads 64cc 2.02/1.60 valves 200cc intake runner
msd 6al
h.e.i. proform 50,000 volt vac. advance ditributor
700r-4 with 3.08 first gear and 3.23 posi 7 5/8 rear end.
b trans shift kit(will kill shifts...suck dong!!)
shorty heddman hedders with custom 3" pipe y-pipe back(no damn cat!) with 40 series flowmaster!


future mods: 406 roller REALLY REALLY REALLY RADICAL!!!!!

 

I really like the way the chambers on those heads look but i think it would be pointless to use them considering the price while comparing em to the regular vortecs

 

btw i think i saw somewhere that the springs those heads come with are good to like .565

its in one of their ads somewhere

 

BTW, airflow research already has this article scanned and up on their website in the articles section if anyone wanted to read it. www.airflowresearch.com

------------------
Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray