True, but the op already stated that he had an intake, just didn't state the type or brand. I'd go afr 180 cc with a 64 cc chamber heads and a retro roller cam in the 220@ .50. You'd have quality parts and wouldn't be much over budget & would definitely meet the power goals the op has stated.

 

Billla Mako, Matt all 3 of you deserve a merit badge for patients above and beyond the call of duty.

 

Its the same old answer because that's what works well for a 1 hp per cube motor If it ain't broke (and it ain't) don't fix it. All components should be matched to the planned power level and 195 cc heads are a poor choice for a motor with other components geared to 1 hp per cube. No doubt you can build a motor making 300 hp with 195 cc heads but it will also have a lot less drivability and poorer gas mileage than a motor making 300 hp with properly matched (170cc-180cc heads) components. When someone says they're looking to build a 300-350 hp motor its a bad assumption to think they'll automatically prefer more just because you do.

 

To OP -

There is a member in the C3 parts section for sale who has 2 sets of aluminum vette heads for $250-300 set.
You might want to check those out.
Just showed up yesterday.

Good luck with your build
Bman

 

1 reason why vortec heads suck is when your tired of the limited power they make you have to buy another set of heads, rockers and an intake instead of just a set of heads, not to mention a good cam with more than 450 lift that the vortects limit you to use.
And if all your looking for is 300 hp you might as well stay stock and enjoy the no problem driving without the price.
There is too many good cylinder heads out there to choose from instead of changing everything over to run vortecs, but thats ok because we need slower people out there that don't know any better than to buy someones novice set of entry level heads.

 

One sign of maturity is recognizing that not everyone feels the same way you do. I had a 325-350 hp motor and I never got tired of it and that is my target again for my Corvette so the idea that any given owner must get tired of 300 hp is nonsense. Some of us want a balanced motor with good horsepower, drivability and reasonable fuel economy. If that's not for you, fine, but stop trying to force people to modify their cars to your desires instead of their own.

There's a big difference between 180 hp and 300 hp so once again the idea that if you want 300 hp you should just leave it stock is absurd. Obviously the idea of matching engine components to the rpm where one intends to produce peak horsepower is lost on you. If the OP took your advice to build the 300 hp motor he wants and used the proper components other than your 195 cc heads he probably wouldn't make 300 hp as the heads would be inefficient at the rpm the other components are peaking. If he went with a somewhat bigger cam and intake to compensate for the mismatched 195cc heads and actually made 300 hp the 300 hp would be at a much higher rpm and the motor would be down on low speed torque, wouldn't run as well at lower rpm, and wouldn't get as good gas mileage as a 300 hp motor built with matching components.

We get it, vortec heads won't do for the motor YOU want, but the OP doesn't want YOUR motor, he wants HIS motor and for him the Vortec heads are an excellent, if not the best, choice. If he wants a 300 hp motor with maximum efficiency and drivability the last thing he should do is buy the 195 cc heads you're trying to push on him just because you want someone else to validate the choices you made.

 

Im just saying vortecs are a one way street and in the end will cost you more money when you want to change over to something else with all the parts you have to buy again, plus a 450 lift cam is for sissy engines!

 

There's nothing saying a person buying vortecs is going to ever want to change over to something else - what part of that don't you understand? Are you incapable of conceiving of other people having different desires and goals than you? I imagine you're at least in your early 20's, this shouldn't be beyond you.

There are also a variety of aftermarket Vortec heads at good prices that come with the capacity for higher lift cams. Not every man needs a cam over .450 to feel macho.

 

I see your point, Priya, and I agree that the vortec heads can be a pretty good low-buck deal, especially if you are willing to do some scrounging, but Tim's got a point, even though he can be a little abrasive sometimes. If you add up the 600 bucks for the heads, and let's say a couple hundred bucks for the intake, rockers, and valve covers, you are not too far away from a nice set of aluminum heads. Here is a link to a pretty interesting article about low-budget aluminum heads, mostly in the 180cc intake port range:

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...t/viewall.html


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott

 

Yes, Scott, I'm not saying that it couldn't happen that a person would build a 300 hp motor and then figure he or she wanted more, my point is that that is not an inevitable outcome and its not good to advise the owner to pick parts assuming its a certainty they're going to feel that way. If Tim had suggested that as a possibility rather than a certainty I wouldn't be arguing with him.

 

 

when I started reading that you have to change to a specific manifold just for vortec, that was enough for me to say "no thanks" on the vortecs. your right, you get locked in

 

Valve covers, rockers, is what erks me, plus I just can't get by a stock set of tecs only support a 450 lift cam.
If I can't run something as mild yet powerful as a Comp cams magnum 470/270 then I'll just stay stock.

 

I forgot about that, that's an important consideration. The other point still stands though, if you want a 300 hp motor with good gas mileage and drivability a head with a 195cc runner is a bad choice unless you think its likely that you're going to want to remodify your motor afterwards for 400 hp or more. If you're confident you're not going to want more than 300 hp down the road a head with a 170-180 cc runner is going to give you the most efficient and drivable motor at that power level.

I'm looking to maximize gas mileage at the 325-350 hp level so for me the vortecs are the best choice.

 

oh yeah, like Tim pointed out, valve covers too, I totally forgot about that. didn't know about other internal engine requirements such as the rockers too.

 

I think its best to wait until you have all the money and do things up right. simple mods that can be swapped over to a 383 stroker is fine, stuff like intake manifold, headers. But to put cams and heads on a 350, isn't worth it, not to me. I'll wait and save funds, do it up right, full power

 

Thank you. Its first and foremost my customers are happy with what they get.

 

Ralph,
Hope to have you finished up next week late. I have been slammed and had to move equipment for new equipment but hope to have you on the bench and cam done and ready to ship. I may wait though till after Xmas. I never have good luck shipping the last week before Xmas.

Chris

 

Chris, thanks for the update. No problem with timing.

But, don't wait too long, or I will have to send you another 10 page specifications package, and you will be sure you are being "served" for something again.

Have a great Holiday Season. Ralph.