Did anyone know there are some special GM intake gaskets to use Vortec heads with later style intakes such as the original TPI?
And if so, then why not use them instead of spending $400 for the SD intake?
A guy I was doing some computer work for thats a GM EFI tech told me about them and showed me them in a GM product listing catalog. They are thicker than a regular gasket with the intake runner holes channelled over, probably still a restriction in flow though.

 

Never heard of them...but that is a very interesting item you speak of.

 

You can't use vortech heads without the proper base. the intake doesn't even go high enough to cover the raised runners of the heads. In the new Camaro Performers mag they show a picture of what it looks like if you try and adapt the lower intake to a vortech head and half the intake runner is exposed!

 

I think that might be the reason this gasket is so much thicker, not for certain without seeing one in hand...I'm just going by what this guy told me and he is a very reputable EFI tech.
I'll see if I can get the part number from him for it.

 

Kinda like running an oval port BBC intake on rectangle port heads huh?

 

Even if there was a magic gasket that fixes what i have heard to be a pretty gross port mismatch using a regular intake on vortec heads, you'd still have the different intake bolt hole loctaions to deal with. And even if you redrill those, a regular SBC intake was not designed to be bolted at only the corners, which would leave you leaking in the middle.
Couple that with the fact that the stock TPI base is complete junk and would only choke those heads anyway it doesn't make much sense to try it.

 

Here's the part # for the gasket, 12497760 , but what Ed says is very true, but I guess this could be a last resort if you can't afford the Vortec base and have the heads.
Go this this link and enter the part# 12497760 for a pic and detailed description.
https://www.spoperformanceparts.com/

 

A last resort - if you're trying to lose power IMO.

The Vortecs NEED that air to show thier worth. I think if you just slapped on that special gasket, you'd actually lose power.