ok today i picked up a set of vortec heads out of a 1997 350 sbc here is my question i have a 488 lift cam and 1.6 rockers can i just bolt the head on or will i have to get the head done i am kinda on a budget so if it will work that would be great thanks Eric

 

You have a couple options, you can either have the heads machined to handle that much lift with new valvesprings, or you can buy a COMP kit that will be able to slide right in and handle the lift. The number is 982 for the springs, they sell a kit that's like 133 bucks with the retainers, locks, and springs. If you go that way all you will have to do is lengthen the pushrod holes slightly to work with the 1.6 rockers, also are the rockers self aligning? If they're not, dont waste your time putting them on, because they will not work.

 

or you can grind down the bottom of the spring retainer that sits around the valve... i think it can go pretty much flush with the retainer... will help you get some clearance

 

ok i bought the comp cam spring kit today. i also got a question how good are the vortec heads and what is the normal hp gain with them. Thanks Eric

 

IMO the vortec heads are awesome, especially for a street motor, and to tell you the horsepower guess, well guys will go up to 460 flywheel hp on a 383. That's with a really healthy cam though. Do you know your cam specs? or compression ratio? then i might be able to give you a guess. The HOT cam can make 400 horses in a 350, which is a painfully mild cam. you typically see around 400 horsepower with these heads and a decent cam.

 

the cam specs are 510 intake and 510 ehaust with a 112 lobe at .050

 

got any duration numbers, i assume the 112 is the LSA.

 

the durtation is 292/292 and also the block is .060 over and the block was decked also

 

How about listing a cam grind? That sounds like an OLD POS cam actually.
Straight pattern cams don't work that great with stock heads, especially vortecs which are crippled on the exhaust side.

 

i am going to buy a new cam how about with one with a 302/312 and a .510int / .533exh would that work better

 

sure it will if you are building a drag engine...

are you sure that is even a hydraulic cam?

what exactly are the specs on the cam/engine and what is the purpose of the car