I just had and odd thought jump into my head. Are there any companies that produce Vortec style heads with the old style intake patterns? And if so, are any of them cheap?

 

The Bowties come that way.

 

Really? Last time I was looking at a set the note said requires Vortec intake...hmmm, kewl.

 

There are Vortec heads that have both ( 12 and 8) bolt intake patterns but they have a VORTEC intake ports
( if it didn't have Vortec style ports it wouldn't be a Vortec head )
so you need a special raised runner reg 12 bolt intake

Note this aftermarket Vortec head ( Procomp ? ) has both bolt patterns but no way the reg intake shown in pic
is going to cover the top of tall Vortec ports without a lot of welding

 

There on page 176.

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/performance_parts/2012/

 

Only one GMPP intake listed to suit and as I noted

"The intake runners in this aluminum intake manifold are raised .200" to match the ports in the raised runner Bow Tie cylinder head P/N 10051101"

 

The ones advertised to be a Vortec head with dual intake bolt patterns is purely a marketing gimmick. Vetteoz's picture is worth a thousand words.

 

Just wanted to add this link to a usefull thread with a lot of pictures that show exactly why you cannot have a true vortec style head that will work with both style intakes.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...eads-pics.html

 

The upper parts of the intake can be welded and then opened up to match the old style intake to Vortec heads. I've done this with a Crossfire intake, it was a brand new NOS lower as well.

 

Going to go out on a limb without searching and say that there probably isnt a vortec crossfire intake on the market. So in that case, I could possibly see it being worth the effort. (Id rather put the money into a good set of regular sbc aftermarket heads, but if you have the equipment and the time, this method might be the best on the budget)

But for the majority of builds, you can easily sell your current intake, buy a used vortec manifold and be right back at it. But once again, if you can weld aluminum and have the time, go for it.

 

I stand corrected.Thanks.

 

^This is what happens when I read articles and think in the middle of the night.

I appreciate all the answers.

 

I would note also, that using an intake like that on "regular" heads, might offer an advantage; or at least, wouldn't "hurt".

Lots of people, for the last 40-odd years, have been running "square port" big block manifolds on oval-port heads, with good results. Since those manifolds aren't generally "all else equal" it's hard to PROVE very much about it, but at least, it "works". I'd suspect that the larger-port manifold on the smaller-port head would behave similarly in this case but I have no data to back that up.