Ok so i can get a good set of vortec heads off a truck for about $150 and i was wondering if its a good move for my engine build.

Im building a 350 TPI with and LT1 cam that i already have and im wanting a decent amout of HP out of it to be honest, my question is will the vortec heads flow well with the cam or will i be wasting my money???

I doubt theyll be available for long so info ASAP would be much appreciated

 

I believe the TPI won't fit the later Vortec Heads. Have to be modified I think for the bolt holes to line up. I could be wrong, but you should check it out, if you haven't already. I only know of a couple of friends that have used the LT1 cam in their 305's,
and had good results for the street. Most LT1 350 I think run about 275 HP. Make sure the dowel pin on the cam clears the timing chain cover. Good Luck with your build.

 

if the heads are 062s or 906s, get them. If they're 193s, don't. You'll be needing to replace your lower intake manifold entirely for vortec heads, forget trying to get yours to work.

 

yeah i planned on just buying a new intake anyway, turns out they were sold, so im guessing by your response the heads will mix well with my cam?

 

i was thinking about doing this swap myself i wonder what numbers can you see at the track with this set up.

 

For the record, the GM name is "Vortec" (I fixed the title line for you).

"Vortech" is a company that makes superchargers, not associated with GM.

 

thank you sir, it was a bit late when i posted and i was in a rush for a reply lol

i hate to ask this question but does anyone know a ballpark of what i can expect to get out of this?

*The Plan* - 350 roller block not boring as of now, just a hone, hypereutectic pistons etc, LT1 cam, roller rockers, Vortec heads, Vortec TPI base with factory plenum and runners for now.

i hate to be that guy but im just curious lol

 

Vortec 5.7 heads are basically Gen 1 versions of the LT1 iron cylinder head. The chamber design is VERY similar, and the intake ports flow very similarly to the cast iron LT1 heads.

Using Vortec heads and an LT1 cam, you'd essentially have an LT1 with a TPI manifold (assuming you keep the TPI and swap bases).

 

word ,

thats wat i came up with so pretty much a person with stock vortecs and a lt1 cam are running lt1 4th gen numbers at the track ?

 

Don't know, I don't know anyone who has a combo like that.

I DO know though, that the Vortec heads have a chamber that is VERY closely based on that of the LT1 and LT4 cylinder heads, and that the Vortec intake ports flow somewhere in between an LT1 head and and LT4 head, though closer to what the LT4 heads flow (Vortecs flow in the 230cfm range on the intake side, LT1s around 215cfm, LT4s around 240cfm).

I'd imaging a 350 with a set of Vortec heads, 10:1 to 10.5:1 CR, LT1 cam, a Holley Stealth Ram or MiniRam, and good exhaust system will make very similar numbers to a healthy LT1. Most stock LT1s will make 250-270rwhp on a good day, around 290-300rwhp with good headers and exhaust, and I'd bet you could do something similar.

 

well thats perfect then, im just lookin to get about 300 RWHP after all is said and done, ive got headers and a full exhaust now too so that will help me out a bit. At this point since ive got another good year on my 305 TBI im leaning towards forged internals