I'm starting a build of a 355 TPI, this is a camaro 350 so it has cast iron heads....I keep seeing people talking about the Vortec Heads, can anyone give me any info? Like are these off a new Vortec motor or something? any info is much appreciated.

 

They are off vortec truck motors. They are cast iron and require centerbolt valve covers and a different intake manifold.

Have you tried google?

 

Vortec is GM's name for it's truck engines. First appeared in 1988 on a V6 and used many different engines since then
The "Vortec" heads being mentioned are off '96 - '00 V8 trucks ONLY
If they don't have 4 bolts on the intake side ( reg SBC heads have 6 bolts ) they are not Vortecs , no matter what the seller says

As already noted , plenty of info about then on the web if you take the time to
like
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showpo...35&postcount=2

 

yes, but as mentioned by Vette, the vortec motors have been in existence from 1988 to 2013

 

Thanks guys, i didnt know it required different intake manifolds....thanks for the info guys

 

It would be worth your time to read this
http://www.compcams.com/information/...HP0201-002.asp

 

this has some good info too

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine

 

Don't be fooled by those that say you can re-drill and run a std 6 bolt SBC intake on vortec heads. ( (certain race intakes excluded )

The intake port shape is also different leaving a gap at the top on most

 

If you are looking for Vortec heads, stay away from the truck heads...also known as swirl port heads. You want the Vette/ camaro heads instead, they flow better. The only thing with the stock valve springs, they are limited on lift. So be careful if you're doing a cam swap too.

 

The Vortec heads being talked about here only came on 96 - '00 TRUCK engines ; as previously stated.

More wrong info.
The swirl port heads you speak of were installed on the earlier (89 - 95 ? ) truck engines.

The '096 Vortec head being discussed is a cast iron version of the LT1 alum head used on the '92-'97 Corvettes and F-Bodies ( LT1 heads don't work on a reg SBC block anyway )

Got any documentation to back that claim up ?
The Vortecs will blow away any earlier stock factory head

 

Not wrong info, a warning. Some people mistaken the swirl port heads as Vortec heads because they are center bolt design. It was just a "buyer beware" warning.

And I meant the Vortec heads are better than stock style heads.

 

TY for correcting this. I must have missed the previous highly uninformed post or I would have been all over it.

96-2000 vortec heads flow better than ANY production cast iron chevy head EVER made for the SBC.

 

It was wrong info, he does NOT want vette/ camaro heads. He does want truck heads but only 96-2000 or some after market equivalent.

Factory vortec heads can support near 400hp.

 

O man, just realized what I wrote, that's what happens when you read things half asleep. Sorry guys!

 

thanks guys for the info....since i wont be getting to the heads or cam for the engine till probably next year, im gonna look into possibly doing brand new heads from summit....gonna have to get more educated on all the info on the heads, cuz right now it list like 12 different kinds for a L98 lol

 

I keep seeing this misquoted everywhere. Vortec heads were 96-2002 and 96-current on marine engines.

Factory Vortec heads can support close to 450 hp and do 400 all day long.