Is there anyone out there who can give some pointers when choosing Vortec heads...I've heard that 906 are the choice NOT to make???
They are nice looking and decent flowing heads, and with the dual bolt pattern you don't need special valve covers or intake.
VORTEC HEAD Choice????
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
As far as stock Vortec heads, there are only two, the 062 and the 906 and neither of them is a bad choice.
The only difference between the 062 and 906 Vortec head is in the exhaust seat. The 062 has a 3-angle grind on a standard-induction hardened seat; the 906 a single-angle grind on an Inconel seat. The 062 does flow slightly better on the exhaust side at low lifts but the advantage over a 906 is very slight. They both utilize back-cut exhaust valves. They both have 3-angle grind seats on the intakes with back-cut intake valves. Both heads make the same power in stock form.
However, they are widely available from the after market.
GM L-31 Vortec
GMPP 'small port' Vortec Bow Tie
GMPP 'large port' Vortec Bow Tie
GMPP 'Fast Burn'
Edelbrock E-Tec 170
Edelbrock E-Tec 200
Dart Vortec replacement head
RHS Vortec
EQ Cylinder Heads Vortec
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
FYI I would look into Patriot Performance Heads. They just Re Casted the Vortec heads and are nicely priced. They even have the original casting numbers on them. They just sent us a pair to dyno test on one of our builds for them. Not sure if they are listed on there website yet, but definitely something to look into. The part # is a 2051.
Last edited by BrandonATK; Jun 6, 2008 at 10:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,346
Likes: 418
From: Seattle Area WA
It will be interesting to hear your take on these heads, the fact that they have GM casting numbers on them is pretty bad. Patriot flow numbers have never been very impressive in the past, and the attention to detail and ports has never been anything special when compared to Brodix, AFR or Dart.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
I am running the RHS and they are fine. The reason I picked them was I could use my stock manifold. They have both bolt holes for the vortec manifold as well as the stock. I have an 80 vette with aluminum manifold so I just used it. Saved myself 300 bucks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Bet that's a bit more peppy that it used to be huh Tim? Do you still have stock exhaust?
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Get that thing dynoed...I'll bet you're getting up and around 300 HP at the rear wheels.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
It will be interesting to hear your take on these heads, the fact that they have GM casting numbers on them is pretty bad. Patriot flow numbers have never been very impressive in the past, and the attention to detail and ports has never been anything special when compared to Brodix, AFR or Dart.
The good thing about these Vortec heads is they will have 2.02/1.60 Valves, screw in studs and guide plates.
Oh, and in no way am I a rep. I just like many dont always have the money to feed all my hobbies and have the best of the best.
In all honesty though, we are very pleased with the heads they produce and for being $300+ cheaper than Edelbrocks...you cant beat it. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,346
Likes: 418
From: Seattle Area WA
Well good to hear that they are getting better, if they don't they won't survive in the market place.
Not to be too cynical but keep in mind that a big reason "rags" do builds with particular aftermarket parts is because the aftermarket manufactures pay big bucks to advertise in those rags. Just because its in a magazine doesn't mean too much, at least for me.
Not to be too cynical but keep in mind that a big reason "rags" do builds with particular aftermarket parts is because the aftermarket manufactures pay big bucks to advertise in those rags. Just because its in a magazine doesn't mean too much, at least for me.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Well good to hear that they are getting better, if they don't they won't survive in the market place.
Not to be too cynical but keep in mind that a big reason "rags" do builds with particular aftermarket parts is because the aftermarket manufactures pay big bucks to advertise in those rags. Just because its in a magazine doesn't mean too much, at least for me.
Not to be too cynical but keep in mind that a big reason "rags" do builds with particular aftermarket parts is because the aftermarket manufactures pay big bucks to advertise in those rags. Just because its in a magazine doesn't mean too much, at least for me.
I have the same feelings, just seeing it first hand has changed my opinion. I will post the dyno results as soon as we get it done. Were not sure if we are going to test it on our 406ci 427hp/526tq small block or are 355 350hp/400tq yet...they both are currently using the stock vortecs...will be interesting to see the difference. They sure look good though.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Haha...definitely understandable! I have the same feelings, just seeing it first hand has changed my opinion. I will post the dyno results as soon as we get it done. Were not sure if we are going to test it on our 406ci 427hp/526tq small block or are 355 350hp/400tq yet...they both are currently using the stock vortecs...will be interesting to see the difference. They sure look good though.
I have the same feelings, just seeing it first hand has changed my opinion. I will post the dyno results as soon as we get it done. Were not sure if we are going to test it on our 406ci 427hp/526tq small block or are 355 350hp/400tq yet...they both are currently using the stock vortecs...will be interesting to see the difference. They sure look good though.I'm building a 405 right now that will have aluminum Vortec heads, and I too will have some dyno numbers after it's built and passed the 500 mile mark. The heads I chose have 200cc intake runners, 10.15:1 compression, and a fairly aggressive cam. It'll be interesting to see the number.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Don't focus on the casting numbers. Even if one has a different valve job from the other you probably wouldn't ever know the difference unless you were building a hi performance engine, and at that point you would be dropping a lot of money into the heads to have the runners ported, and the heads set up for more robust springs.
The way I see it you have two options with a third based on your decision.
You can buy stock Vortec heads and install with a minimum if no machine work. You can buy a set of prepped after market Vortec heads, which are more money, but give you more performance. Third option is you can buy stock Vortec heads and dump money into them to be made for high performance.
That being said, if you spend the coin for high dollar after market heads, make sure the rest of the engine is up to the task...don't just bolt them onto a tired L48 and expect great things.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Agreed! The plans for the rebuilt are in the near future(2months), thus the reason for all my VORTEC questions. But I wanted to know the cam was going to be EDL-2102..I keep hearing all the talk about "self-aligning rockers....Is this true?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You can do this two ways.
You can use self aligning rockers, which come in both stamped, cheap, and roller, a bit more expensive.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ayphotohosting
Or...
You can use guide plates and hardened push rods.