Vortec Heads
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,107
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From: Lancaster PA
Vortec Heads
Are any of you running Vortec heads? A local engine builder will sell a pair (complete and checked) for $395. I know I will need a special intake and valve covers. Would this be a good idea for the 73? I'm having it bored .030 and flat top speed pro pistons. Thanks, Craig :chevy
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Vortec Heads (CF6873)
Better check to make sure they want up your compression too much. I don't know the CC's of the heads you are running now, but the Vortecs are 58cc. You are most likely running a 76 or 64 CC head now, so check to see where your compression is going to end up.
If they are aluminum heads, you can probably get away with a 10.1 compression ratio. If not, I would go over 9.5 on pump gass.
If they are aluminum heads, you can probably get away with a 10.1 compression ratio. If not, I would go over 9.5 on pump gass.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 101
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From: NJ
Re: Vortec Heads (CF6873)
that's a good price for a complete set of heads that have a clean bill of health. the 350 vortec heads have 64cc combustion chambers so compression won't be a problem if you're running the speed pro 9.7:1 forged pistons. just make sure you don't buy a set of 305 vortec heads. those are the ones that have the small (58cc) combustion chambers.
in conclusion, these are the best flowing iron heads the general ever produced. this being the case, i'm running them on my motor.
in conclusion, these are the best flowing iron heads the general ever produced. this being the case, i'm running them on my motor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Vortec Heads (CF6873)
The Vortec heads are sweet. Burt Greenwald, in Akron, Ohio, sells them brand new for a little over $400. More than a couple guys on the forum are running them. Hot Rod built an engine with them, one of their junkyard jewels, and pulled out over 400 horsepower. I think the final number was 427 hp. They ran an Edelbrock performer RPM Vortec manifold, and a slightly bumpy cam. The short block had over 100K on it, and it was only running the old, mid seventies, low compression slugs. Check around on the Net, I think it was either Performance Chevy or Popular Hot Rodding that did a whole, online article on the Vortec heads. The runners are identical to the aluminum Vette heads, but it's an iron casting. The 58cc chambers will push you close to 10:1, but that's still okay for premium pump gas. I think you made a great choice. :yesnod:
