how do you go about finding an intake to match heads? i have some 601 heads but the intake i have for my 193 heads doesn't match. so if i decide to use the 601 heads what do i look for when searching craigslist and other used parts places. is there a bolt type or hole placement that i need to know

 

The manifold pattern didn't change from 1955 to 1986. The majority of aftermarket intakes are for that range. You actually need to work at finding an intake for the '87-up pattern like is on your 193's.

 

If the bolt angle on the heads is different from your intake you just drill the hole in the intake out and use a washer under the bolt head
Only the angle of the 4 center bolts is different on late model heads ; everything else ( ports , etc ) is the same

 

i have the aftermarket intake for the 193 heads, it is the 601 heads i don't have the aftermarket intake for. i am looking for a intake that fits a pre-86 is what you are saying?

anyone actually dirlled out the holes and can verify that it is no problem?

 

I do not know from the head #s but the difference in early heads and later, vortec style, heads is the center four bolts for the intake manifold. The center bolts for the vortec (193) heads are straight up, vertical while the early style are bolted straight into the intake at the same angle as the rest. That is straight in the intake based on the angle of the head. The later heads are straight up and down and therefor bolt in at a canted amgle to the head. The center holes can be elongated to work but when it is done the bolt head does not sit flush on the intake. When using the later style intake on an earlier head the bosses for thes bolts can be ground flush and then no problem with the bolt heads. The problem comes that this intake if put back on the vortec heads will have the center bolts with the heads only making contact on an edge. Instead it would be best to just find any earlier style intake and use it. They are real common as stated above due to the # of years used.
Most people just elongate the holes on an early style intake and bolt down with the center bolt heads only touching at one edge when using on a vortec style head. They make a special angled washer for this but good luck finding them. Or they just order the right intake from somebody like edelbrock.
It can be done either way but only you can decide what is best for you with your current situation. The 193 heads I am assuming are the vortec style and they are known to flow much better that stock earlier castings.

 

i was told the 193's are not true vortec but swirl port. and they are restrictive in the high rpm range but full of torque in the low range. the edlebrock intake i have that will bolt up to them should bolt up to true vortec heads later when i can get some cheap. 193 heads and vortec heads both have center valve cover bolts. the 601 heads have side bolt valve covers.

 

The heads commonly referred to by everybody as " Vortec heads "are the ones that came on Vortec 350 engines '96 -'00.
They only have 4 bolts a side and are more like a LT1 head with a different port shape to reg SBC heads .They require a Vortec only intake.

All the '87 -'95 cast iron centerbolt heads have the different bolt angle on center 4 bolts but otherwise are identical to pre '87 perimeter bolt heads.Ports match up and use same gaskets

Vortec is GM's name from it's truck engines; covers a whole range of years and sizes .Not just 350's
See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine)

 

Many of the aftermarket intakes like the HSR or MR come with the 4 center holes slotted to suit both type heads.

 

What you need is a pre-86 intake if you want to run the 601s. Something like an edelbrock performer 2101. The 601s are smaller chambers 58cc as well so watch your compression.

 

i am thinking about just using the 193 heads since i already have the edelbrock intake for them but i keep getting mixed opinions on which one would work better. the 193 or 601. i am looking for quick take-off and not really going to be going distances in it. so i was told 193 for torque but then other people tell me 601's will flow better

 

that is what i was looking for some actual numbers thanks

 

It really all depends on what you want to do, where, when and how much power are you trying to make. You could probably make better low end torque and gas mileage with the 193 and more top end power with the 601.

There is the 3701 too I think which is an EGR version. I recently sold a 2101. Those older style intakes are are all over craigslist used and pretty cheap as well.

 

i don't remember what the number was but the edlebrock intake i have has egr valve on it. most of the craigslist intakes i have seen just say sbc intake they don't list any part numbers or years. i have emailed a couple of them but most of them don't respond. everytime i call one their like, oh well i would have to check i don't have it on me right now.

don't know how to tell just by looking at them
http://austin.craigslist.org/pts/1965090471.html

 

The performer RPM is a good manifold for top end power, but that one is probably not an EGR manifold and hood clearance with a stock hood is questionable with that intake.

 

what about this
http://austin.craigslist.org/pts/1946742772.html

 

That would work and hood clearance would be okay since its short, but it is a single plane intake. It's probably best from 2500 - 6500 rpms and probably no EGR. They are cheap though! On the street a Dual plane is probably better since much of your time is spent at lower rpms.

What exactly are you looking for? EGR or not? What are your power goals? Daily driver? Race car? Truck?

 

I am looking for a driver not a race car but I want to be able to get up an go when I want to. As far as egr I don't want to have problems come inspection times so thinking about leaving egr. I drive a work truck to work so gas is not a huge concern but 5miles a gallon won't cut it because I do still drive my car when I'm not working.