My knowledge with these is limited, so please bear with me.

Essentially, what "mods" do vortec heads respond well to?


To be more precise, is it worthwhile to increase the exhaust valve size to a 1.60" valve?

I'm also wondering approximately what gains could be seen by upgrading to full roller rockers, and what roller camshaft profiles work well with a 1.5 ratio rocker and these heads. Compression ratio should be around 9:1 give or take

I'm looking more for good torque and driveability, power above 5000 RPM's is not especially important.

Supposing I used this cam: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-12-410-8/ with 1.5 ratio full roller rockers , 1.60" exhaust valves, an Edelbrock performer intake manifold (carbureted), and shorty headers, 9:1 compression.... Does this seem like the parts are reasonably well matched to each other? Any estimates on numbers this might put out on a 350?

Thanks!

 

There are two things these heads need more than anything - cut the valve guides down to allow more valve lift, and some port work on the exhaust side. Intake side breathes fine, but the exhaust needs help.

 

I was taking the machine work for cutting the guides down as a given, I'd rather do that than run beehive springs personally.

What port work are you talking about in particular? Just the typical smoothing/radiusing the guide boss & de-shrouding the valve? Or something else in specific?

Also, anyone have any estimates on the numbers the parts combo above might make, torque in particular?

 

Ya, just the typical kind of port work on the exhaust is fine.