Is anyone here running Vortec heads with a TPI unit? I made a stock base fit my Vortec heads, I'm just curious as to how it works out. I'm not driving the car yet, still working a few things out. Scoggins Dickey was supposed to have an intake by now. But they are having problems. I'd like to see some dyno #'s. My motor sounds really healthy and revs up & down very fast. I've never had a TPI 350 that was this responsive. Give me some input, good or bad.

HA! Where's the manifold!!!!

I keep telling you guys....it's a MYTH. It will never happen. Edelbrock has brought other scratch-built designs to market in the time SINCE they announced the vortec-tpi base. If they were really going to build it they would have by now.

I was just at the scoggins dicky site and they say they are having problems with the castings and after they fix all the problems they will have them out on the market.

um........ok dude..... let me hold my breath, by the way if it does come out it will probably b like 400$ wich defeats the purpose.. oh well

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white/gold GTA ,leather 5.7TPI 700r4 3:27posi twin cats,3"catback,aluminum d.shaft ported plennum,afpr,8mmwires,k&Nand all other "free" mods, performance resource chip,SLP cold air intake.

That's what I said.

Can't agree with you there. I've seen the casting. The problem is in production of the castings, I think it has to do with the EGR ports. Since Vortec heads don't have EGR passages in the head like most heads, there obviously isn't passages in the intake. What they do is locate the EGR valve in the factory position, and add a feed port at the back near the distributor that runs to a header tube or exhaust manifold. Unfortunatly, this EGR passage would be run in a weak area. I agree with them solving all problems before releasing the intake, but it's been too damn long. They need to get it out.

FYI: The manifold is made by Edelbrock, SD has no control over production of these castings. They're just difficult to make. I've already informed SD and Edelbrock of our suituation and they're aware that we expect that base NOW, that we should of had it a month ago. I'm on top of it...

86IROC, the Vortec heads have such good throttle response because the ports are IDENTICAL to an LT1. Ever drive one? That explains it. If you compare a 305 5.0L Vortec head to a 350 5.7L Vortec head you'll see the 350 head's combustion chamber is more heart shaped to promote swirl. These are good heads, but the area behind the valves SUCK. Nice sharp ridge left from casting the head. These heads would work better pocket ported and polished, as I plan to do to mine. Still, for a factory out of the box cylinder head, not bad considering it wasn't made to compete with the aftermarket anyway.




[This message has been edited by dhirocz (edited May 20, 2001).]

Where's what intake? The Edelbrock/SD piece, or the one on my car? I had a shop weld extra material to my stock intake, then I used a dremel and the gaskets to make it match up to the heads. It is possible. And yes, I have driven an LT1. In fact about a dozen sicne the F-cars got the LT1 in 1993. The LT1 is a good design, but I am still partial to the old L98 cars. It looks like yet again, people may have to improvise because the aftermarket can't deliver. But, this doesn't really answer all of my questions. Does anyone have any dyno #'s? Or maybe some timeslips of before and after Vortec heads? I wish I had the time & resources to do such a test. Another problem with these heads out of the box, is the rocker studs and valve springs. I bought my heads used off of a 96-97 350 truck for $100, then I had studs and guide plates installed. A better set of valve springs. A bit of work behind the valves and a 3 angle valve job was all done by a professional shop. I have about $550 - $600 in the heads total.

I am in the same boat. I am tired of waiting for the Vortec intake, so I am going to get another car and put a carb. intake on, and use this engine in the other car. I understand the time it takes to make something like this, but I can wait no longer. I have pocket ported these heads as well. I would post some pictures, but I don't know how to do so.



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Joshua Johnston
1991 Z-28
Flowmaster
K&N
305 / 5spd. (Temporary)

Why is it so difficult? Just run the EGR the exact same was as they do for the Corvette TPI intake manifold. It works fine for the 3860 and 3861 TPI intake.

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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.23 @ 107.62 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

EXACTLY...that's why they will NEVER be made! That EGR stuff is B.S. b/c edelbrock already knows how to provision it if they were really going to...but they're NOT. All these people holding their breaths for one could have by now saved up enough money to buy some even better heads & not had to worry w/ a special intake that will probably end up costing more than they spent on their heads!

Vortec heads... The bargain of the year... OK take the heads ($435) add in the intake if it ever gets done ($400+) then toss in some machine work because the vortec heads need more lift ($...)

OK Trick Flow ($850), port and polish (Like madmax, but hell, a dremel and some cutters (less than 100) and you'd have a hell of a combo.

Sounds like the vortec for the TPI is going down the tubes for me anywayz. I don't wait for anything and a manifold for the price of the heads?!?!

OK, the Vortecs are $400
Intake will be about $450
That's $850. Personally I'd rather spend that money on some trick flow's or Iron Eagles. No funky intakes needed.

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1980 Camaro, '88 Police 350 engine, Headers, full exhaust, completely redone, my baby!
1988 Iroc-Z L98, MSD 6a, Accel coil, K+N's, Airfoil, Coolant Bypass, Flowmaster, Gears, Late model Bose, I like the 80 better

I don't know. I'm not the one to ask, I on't know exactly how they're engineering this manifold, but all I know is I'm getting pissed off waiting for it. I personally think the 'weak area' of the casting is BS, all I want is the manifold. There should be a discount for this since we had to wait so damn long. I think $225 is a good introductory price .

Were i work we deal with casting problems there is a ton of things that can happen. Why be so synical of this just becuz one company has let you down dosent mean that the next will. Just be patient and let them work out the problems, They don't want you to be able to bit*h about the product. When they get right to theyr satisfaction and what they think every tpi owners are they will reliese the product.

Maybe not a funky intake, but you will still need an expensive intake to take advantage of the increased flow of these other heads.



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87 Formula 350 13.94@96.67
98 Z28 1LE 13.15@107.59
1LE Owners Association

Look at madmax's intake.... Thats not expensive but I bet it flows good!

Exactly! Upgraded heads/cam on a stock intake sucks.

once again.........FORGET THE FRIGGIN VORTECS!!!!!!!! the have CRAP flow numbers. Just cause they swirl dont mean jack if they cant suck in and push out. 71% I/E ratio.....BAH! even Trick Flows are better then that. Sell the vortecs and buy some Iron Eagles.

Holley is supposed to have a EFI intake for Vortec type heads: L31(Vortec 350), L30 (Vortec 305), Fast Burns, and Edelbrock E-tecs. I put the PN into www.summitracing.com and it came out $435.69 for the bare intake.

http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLin.../9901-110.html


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-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

Soon to be installed:
Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248), Catco 3" cat, and injector spacer.

Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz

[This message has been edited by Tas (edited May 23, 2001).]