I'm currenty researching a 350 swap and I am wondering where the best/ cheapest place is to buy premodified vortec heads. I need at least screw in studs and perferably upgraded springs too. If you need anymore clearification just ask.

 

Modified Vortec heads

If i were you i would get some ProTopline replacment 906 Vortec heads. They are already setup for performance and cost way less then those modifiedf ones. Pro Vortecs

 

hmmmmm...in that case what about the 083 heads they have listed there for stock replacement . Aren't they the casting of L98 heads? would they be better or worse

 

Yes those are the L98 heads. They will be a direct bolt-on for L98 heads. The Vortecs will require a Vortec intake to work. Overall the design of the Vortecs is superior to all earlier heads. Vortecs have raised runners, a very effecient port design that induces swirl and high velocity. Vortecs also have a very good and efficient combustion chamber design.

Now i believe that the Pro 083's have the same chamber design, so that point is null when comparing the Pro stock replacment heads.

 

according to the pro-topline site, I don't know as I trust their descriptions.

They mention a "Vortec D chamber" for the 083's, which doesn't exist. Vortec chambers are not a D, period.

Then if you go to the 906, it says "Non Vortex, Heart Chamber" (and yes, their words) which makes no sense, since the Vortec chambers ARE heart shaped.

For ID purposes, this is what Vortec chambers look like:

Vortec pics

Pro-topline prices are excellent, don't get me wrong, but they better be selling what they are advertising! If they made the 083's with actual Vortec chambers, then those would be very nice. Probably not as efficient runners as the Vortec design, (perhaps imporved?) but at least the good chamber.

 

Yeah i think they have some blonde or something doing their website. D chambers are the old bathtub chambers that came one all previolus SBC's. Also the D could be referring the exhaust port. Competition Products Pro-topline Vortec heads

 

so the vortecs have better chambers and better ports then? if so i think im sold.

 

Well, fortunately, the pro-topline link was in this thread too, I just missed it.

Check it out if you like, it lists the chamber as being non-vortex heart.

Oh well. As far as I can tell, they don't make one, but if they were smart, they'd make heads with the "old style" center intake bolt (either vertical or angled) with an exhaust crossover, and improved chambers and runners. Give people the option of NOT replacing the intake with a Vortec specific piece.

I'm pretty sure AFR offers what I mention, but not at anything near a pro-topline price of course.

 

Better chambers and ports yes.

For carbed swaps, I don't know that you can get any better for the money than the pro-topline 906's. The cost is much less than GM Vortecs, but they appear to have all the upgrades needed to run more lift on a higher RPM engine.

For injected (tuned port particularly) setups, even a stock engine, IMO the Vortecs suck, and AFR's are a viable alternative, because AFAIK, the cheapest TPI base for Vortecs is still $400+.