Vortec upgrade question
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I think this cam, which is a bargain, would be well supported by the heads so long as the heads were machined and capable of the lift.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...3&autoview=sku
Intake $128 shipped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...link:middle:us
Most salvage yards will have these heads as a pair for around or under $200.
Yes, I forgot about the rocker arms, and the valve covers are a dime a dozen at salvage yards...heck I have two pair, one brand new, that I am not even using.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
If I still had the invoice I would show you, but I had a set of LT1 heads machined for my Gen1 small block with valve guides, studs, rod guides, and spring bases for just over $200.
Now, that was me providing the plates and studs but the work was not that bad.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,172
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
I think a question you have to ask yourself before going any-further is:
what are my realistic expectations, and what are my intended use for the car, after a top-end rebuild?
In 80 crabvette's case, his OEM cam lost a few lobes with less-than 20,000 original miles, so he HAD-TO replace it:
he contacted me about 'making it run like a Corvette should', and I suggested a few things he could do to upgrade his performance, but also knew that at his age (39+ ), he wouldn't be out looking to win Stop-Light Nationals against ricers every Friday evening.
We had spoken in years-past, and I feel certain he'll rarely, if-ever, take the car to the drag-strip, and the only way his tach would ever reach 6000 RPM was if the U-joints failed, and he didn't left in-time:
he just wanted something that 'rumbled' like an old-time hot-rod, and that could flatten his eyeballs if the need arose, yet retain good road-manners for 200+ mile trips and get decent fuel-mileage, too.
As stated above, the vortec heads don't really work-well with high-lift/long-duration cams, but with a decent, mild/hot hydraulic streetable cam, intake & carb, exhaust (and especially rear-gears ), it shouldn't be too-hard to build an original L-48 bottom-end, in good working-order, to withstand 5200-5500 shift-points, and run 13s at the drag-strip:
considering most of our L-48s would be hard-pressed to run 15's, that not-bad.
what are my realistic expectations, and what are my intended use for the car, after a top-end rebuild?
In 80 crabvette's case, his OEM cam lost a few lobes with less-than 20,000 original miles, so he HAD-TO replace it:
he contacted me about 'making it run like a Corvette should', and I suggested a few things he could do to upgrade his performance, but also knew that at his age (39+ ), he wouldn't be out looking to win Stop-Light Nationals against ricers every Friday evening.
We had spoken in years-past, and I feel certain he'll rarely, if-ever, take the car to the drag-strip, and the only way his tach would ever reach 6000 RPM was if the U-joints failed, and he didn't left in-time:
he just wanted something that 'rumbled' like an old-time hot-rod, and that could flatten his eyeballs if the need arose, yet retain good road-manners for 200+ mile trips and get decent fuel-mileage, too.
As stated above, the vortec heads don't really work-well with high-lift/long-duration cams, but with a decent, mild/hot hydraulic streetable cam, intake & carb, exhaust (and especially rear-gears ), it shouldn't be too-hard to build an original L-48 bottom-end, in good working-order, to withstand 5200-5500 shift-points, and run 13s at the drag-strip:
considering most of our L-48s would be hard-pressed to run 15's, that not-bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 156
From: Clayton New Jersey
Hey guys, if any of you are interested I have a set of RHS Vortec Heads that are from new castings. They are thicker so you don't have to worry about the cracking associated with stock Vortec heads (that's what I was told from RHS) Anyway, they are 2.02/1.64 the bowls are polished and they are set up to accept the vortec manifold or standard. I'm currently running an Edelbrock Performer.
Not sure on the exact specs of the heads but I can check it out. I still have the original boxes. When I ordered them, I was using a 530 lift cam so I had to get the springs to accommodate that. I will throw in the intake with the heads. The set up is still on the Vette there is only maybe 500 miles on the heads. I purchased them a little over a year ago but have now decided to go a different way. I can pull the heads off Monday if interested. I can also provide pics.
Thanks, Bill
Not sure on the exact specs of the heads but I can check it out. I still have the original boxes. When I ordered them, I was using a 530 lift cam so I had to get the springs to accommodate that. I will throw in the intake with the heads. The set up is still on the Vette there is only maybe 500 miles on the heads. I purchased them a little over a year ago but have now decided to go a different way. I can pull the heads off Monday if interested. I can also provide pics.
Thanks, Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
cheap & easy vortec spring swap
Goofy OE Vortec retainer is primary limiting factor on max lift.
A set of taller ( +0.100" ) springs ( elgin or pioneer RV1943X ) with a set of Crane 99914 retainers will allow otherwise stock iron GM vortecs to easily have about .500” -.525” valve lift without hitting stem seals & without coil bind ... shop around & this can be done for under $100 & end up w/ stronger springs to go along with the $70 summit cam-lifter kit. Crane also sells a kit ( 10309-1 ) with similar springs & same retainers but their springs MUCH more expensive$ ... that crane kit's about $180. NO machining required for any of the above. I also posted about this stuff here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1561349249
crane 10309-1 kit
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=brows...1&lvl=2&prt=34
A set of taller ( +0.100" ) springs ( elgin or pioneer RV1943X ) with a set of Crane 99914 retainers will allow otherwise stock iron GM vortecs to easily have about .500” -.525” valve lift without hitting stem seals & without coil bind ... shop around & this can be done for under $100 & end up w/ stronger springs to go along with the $70 summit cam-lifter kit. Crane also sells a kit ( 10309-1 ) with similar springs & same retainers but their springs MUCH more expensive$ ... that crane kit's about $180. NO machining required for any of the above. I also posted about this stuff here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1561349249
crane 10309-1 kit
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=brows...1&lvl=2&prt=34
