Would the Stock GM Vortec Heads 12558060 work on a 1989 305 TPI? Would the provide a good boost in HP with the proper Vortec TPI intake? Do they still work with Hooker Headres 2055-1HKR?

What would be a great price for them used?

Thanks

 

Sorta.....

You'd need a new TPI to Vortec specific intake base, to do that.

 

Yes they are better than the stock heads. Yes you will need the Vortec TPI intake from Scoggin Dickey (they have the best price). Yes they require headers as the bolt pattern on the stock manifolds is different. Your 2055's are fine.

Keep in mind they do not have the EGR passages so you would need to hook up the external EGR pipe to remain smog legal. Otherwise you will probably get an SES light for code 32.

I have no idea what they go for used nowadays. The stock valve springs on them limit you to about .460" lift though, if you're thinking of a cam swap too.

 

Do Vortec heads work on 305 engines? I thought they were only for 350 engines.

 

BC GTA They will work on 283, 302, 305, 327, 350, 400 CID.

I am just trying to find out what all is needed and some kind of cost before I drop any money into them. Also are the worth the gain in performance.

Kevin91Z
I am confused on the EGR passages. So what does not have the EGR passages the heads?

 

they made 305s as well as 350s
the 350 L31 has better flowing heads than the 305s

 

You learn something new every day. Good to know.

 

I'm not sure exactly what you are asking here. Your stock heads have egr passages machined into the heads, so your egr valve just opens when the ecm calls for egr. The Vortec heads do not have the egr passages built in. You need to install small tubes from the headers to the intake like the L98 Corvettes used to get your egr to work.

 

Its also called the "exhaust crossover passage" sometimes. Its a path in the exhaust port of one of the heads that goes to the EGR valve. Normal small block chevy heads have it. The vortec heads do not. You'll need to modify your headers and hook up an external EGR pipe in order for it to work. the boards for "external EGR" or "corvette egr" and you'll see pics and descriptions.

 

Ok, thanks Kevin, Russ. This is what I am looking for all the things that will need to be changed to keep it Smog legal. So I can total up all the parts and make my pro and con list before I start buying parts.

If you have anything more please let me know.

Thanks to all for the information this is a big help!!

 

After you have got the egr issue taken care of the main issue with the Vortec heads is that they don't allow for very much lift stock because they are designed for use in trucks. If you look on Scoggin-Dicky's web site, look up their Vortec heads, and you will see that they do some modifications to the Vortec heads for high performance applications. Most likely, unless you come across a set of used Scoggin-Dicky heads that someone has replaced with something more hi-po, any used Vortecs you find will probably be bone stock truck heads.

 

Thanks Russ-So Cal

I contacted AAEQ the company that supplied the heads for the "Hate me 305 build".

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/eng...cks/index.html

They can get me the same heads they used for $500 shipped to my door. I may just go with a copy of that build only using TPI plus keep it smog legal and see what comes up. I am still way in the planning stage and won't get to the build till this summer.

 

Difference in flow is minimal, worth going with the 059 305 castings if you have a 305.

 

Now you have got me interested in these heads and I have a few questions. I have a cam which raises gross valve lift to about .49” on intake and exhaust. Will these fit on an engine with such a cam or would I need to get a bare head and get different springs? Also, the 305 use a head with a 58cc combustion chamber. You would have to mill the heads down from 64cc, would that affect valve lift? Any body have an idea what the milling would cost at a machine shop?

 

Yeah I want to find out how much the milling will cost as well. I am ging to call AAEG Monday to find out what they charge.

If I can find the money I want to use the best heads I can get, that wont cost me both arms and legs. Then put the Upgraded Vortec Head Kit, Roller, TPI Intake form SDPC Part#SD8060RATPI. Team that up with Large Tube runners for the 1989 to 1992 Camaro part#20199. Then I found a company close to me to put it together with my bottom end with 12month/1200 mile Warranty. Also use DYNO DON headers or Hooker 2055-1HKR headers.

Lot more to work out before I move forward. This is going to take a lot of time before I start to lay pipe.

 

Have someone done this setup with a 305 tpi ??? Might go with a less agressif cam range to keep Under tpi best condition iddle to 5500 will be nice ....