Does anyone who has gone through the process of fully "upgrading" their Vortec heads (valve seat work, larger exhaust valves, machined for screw in studs, guideplates, larger spring seats, milling the guide bosses, etc), still have their work order? I am really curious to see what kind of amounts people are putting into these heads.

 

I started with a set of bare Topline Vortec's. These already have screw in studs and larger spring pockets. Sent them to CFM in Indiana. They upgraded them to 2.02/1.6valves and bowl port for $315.00.
Flow #'s: Int Exh

.100 72 78
.200 128 135
.300 188 170
.400 231 183
.500 258 187
.600 259 191

I'm assembling a 408CI motor with these heads and a Bullet Roller 249/254 @ .505 .607" Lift. We'll see how it does.

 

Sorry.

Cam is 249/254 @ .050".

 

does anyone have similar numbers, but with plain jane 96+ stock vortec castings?

 

Does tha price include hardware and machine work together or did you provide the valves? Im looking to having this done myself. Those are some damn good flow #s btw.

 

CFM swapped the 1.94/1.5 valves for 2.02/1.6 valves. It was included in the price. He didn't add guideplates because I already had self-guided rockers. Mike Stark is a good guy and does very good port work. Look him up on his website CFMPerformance.com. I'dgues he can improve the flow on GM parts also. Although I don't know any actual flow #'s.

For Stekman:
I have modified GM Vortec's also. It depends on what you want your requirements are.
1. If you're looking to run <.550" lift on a flat tappet or Hyd. roller cam, you don't need to modify the valve spring pockets.
Just by a set of Comp beehives. There are two PN's. One has lower spring pressure and is good for hyd. flat tappet cams. The other PN has more seat pressure and is good for Hyd.Roller camsor mech flat tappet cams.
Cost ~125$ with retainers.
2. If you're having the heads refreshed. A good machine shop should pull the studs and cut the threads for studs. Studs cost about $25-50. Machining maybe $30-50.
3. You can add guideplates for another $20-30.

Total cost ~$225

Now if you want to modify the spring pockets and guides I don't have an actual $$$ figure. I'd guess $100-150.

 

I'm just looking to see what people are paying for and what they have, that's all. I have no personal intentions of doing anything with Vortec heads - I have an engine to play with already.

 

nm: answered my own question