75 Corvette performance updates.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: anchorage ak
I've never used vortecs, so I can't say either way on them. Some love them and some hate the. Bkbroiler runs a set on his 383 and turns low 12's in his vette with a flat tappet cam. I don't know for sure if you can hit 400 horse with them on a 350 due to the lift limitations but should be able to hit 350 horse or so. They would definitely be a cheaper head, but you have buy the intake, headers & rockers to match them get the compression up to around 10 to 1 and try to find a cam shaft that would just meet the lift criteria. Istill say if you can afford it go afr, you won't regret it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
I've never used vortecs, so I can't say either way on them. Some love them and some hate the. Bkbroiler runs a set on his 383 and turns low 12's in his vette with a flat tappet cam. I don't know for sure if you can hit 400 horse with them on a 350 due to the lift limitations but should be able to hit 350 horse or so. They would definitely be a cheaper head, but you have buy the intake, headers & rockers to match them get the compression up to around 10 to 1 and try to find a cam shaft that would just meet the lift criteria. Istill say if you can afford it go afr, you won't regret it.
Vortecs do two very good things for you:
1) Smaller chamber = higher compression, you get nearly 10:1 compression with simply a head swap along with the heart shaped chamber design which reduces knock
2) you get substantially better flow characteristics AND higher flow compared to what is stock on the car.
To recap, more compression plus more fuel plus more air = 2x the stock hp. Of course, that presumes you get a cam matched to the increased capabilities and exhaust which can maximize flow.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
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Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Have you heard of using mopar valve seals, from what others have Said on the forum you can do this and use a higher lift cams. I don't know his true it is. The thing I dint like about vortec heads is having an intake manifold that only works with vortec heads. If you decide to up grade heads in the future you've either got to buy new intake, rockers and headers or stick with vortex style heads. With that being said, far and edelbrock both make a vortec style head, but iirc one size for both companies which is some what limiting. I've also read that they don't flow past .550" lift which doesn't mean you wouldn't want to run a bigger cam shaft because more time at max flew us more time at max flow.
Last edited by bluedawg; May 2, 2013 at 02:30 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
Check out these Trick Flow heads.http://www.trickflow.com/egnsearch.a...7&autoview=sku
The 56cc chambers will bump up the compression.They also have great flow numbers.Order the right heads for the roller cam and you'll have a nice combo.Would have used these heads if my motor didn't have Edelbrock heads on it already.The PO installed 70cc heads,he should've gone with smaller chambers!!
The 56cc chambers will bump up the compression.They also have great flow numbers.Order the right heads for the roller cam and you'll have a nice combo.Would have used these heads if my motor didn't have Edelbrock heads on it already.The PO installed 70cc heads,he should've gone with smaller chambers!!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 68
From: Colorado
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Thanks. They flow 12cfm better than performer rpms with smaller runners. Should be a good head. I had rpms on the l48 not bad heads definitely better than stock but nothing like afrs.
Last edited by bluedawg; May 2, 2013 at 09:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
Have you heard of using mopar valve seals, from what others have Said on the forum you can do this and use a higher lift cams. I don't know his true it is. The thing I dint like about vortec heads is having an intake manifold that only works with vortec heads. If you decide to up grade heads in the future you've either got to buy new intake, rockers and headers or stick with vortex style heads. With that being said, far and edelbrock both make a vortec style head, but iirc one size for both companies which is some what limiting. I've also read that they don't flow past .550" lift which doesn't mean you wouldn't want to run a bigger cam shaft because more time at max flew us more time at max flow.
If cost were no object I wouldn't recommend the Vortecs. But with his stated goals they are light-years better than what's on there.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Yeah i hear ya budget. I always recomend afr's and a roller cam. If performance is your goal you cant go wrong with that combo provided you can afford them. I know that there are porters out there that get more power than afr but cost alot more, not to mention 18 or 12 degree heads with the high dollar matching intake getting big power numbers costing exponentialy more. For average guys like me looking for power you cant hardly beat afr, much past that price and you could go with a roots style blower and get as much if not better power with instant torque. Like i said ive not used vortecs cant say i wont in the future bk has done really well with them on a budget.
Last edited by bluedawg; May 3, 2013 at 12:00 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
Set of budget aluminum heads,58cc set up for a Hyd roller cam.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-CHEVY-210CC-BUILT-ALUMINUM-HEADS-ANGLE-58CC-HYD-ROLLER-CNCd-A58210274-PBM-/330790695989?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item4d04a97435 Good luck with the project....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-CHEVY-210CC-BUILT-ALUMINUM-HEADS-ANGLE-58CC-HYD-ROLLER-CNCd-A58210274-PBM-/330790695989?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item4d04a97435 Good luck with the project....
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I'm with the Vortec crowd for budget builds... just remember that budget builds get budget results! 
It'll still be a lot quicker than what's under the hood right now though.
I would not go with the World S/R Torquers mentioned earlier. They are more expensive and won't make the same power as the Vortecs.
It'll still be a lot quicker than what's under the hood right now though.I would not go with the World S/R Torquers mentioned earlier. They are more expensive and won't make the same power as the Vortecs.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Shearwater Nova Scotia
I've looked at this myself under the same conditions. And I will repeat what others have said:
1. If you are aiming for 400 hp on a tight budget - get a crate engine. ZZ383 fast burn turn key - http://www.crateenginedepot.com/ZZ38...772-P9982.aspx
2. If you INSIST on keeping the original engine and going for 400 hp, then you need to drastically increase your budget and your patience.
3. If you insist on keeping the original engine and willing to drop to 300 hp, then you can get new heads (AFR seem to be recommended), get true dual exhaust (I'm a fan of MagnaFlow), and a few other upgrades associated with these: camshaft, radiator, maybe water pump, etc.
Bottomline: You want 400 hp, get a crate, you want cheap, drop it to 300 hp.
1. If you are aiming for 400 hp on a tight budget - get a crate engine. ZZ383 fast burn turn key - http://www.crateenginedepot.com/ZZ38...772-P9982.aspx
2. If you INSIST on keeping the original engine and going for 400 hp, then you need to drastically increase your budget and your patience.
3. If you insist on keeping the original engine and willing to drop to 300 hp, then you can get new heads (AFR seem to be recommended), get true dual exhaust (I'm a fan of MagnaFlow), and a few other upgrades associated with these: camshaft, radiator, maybe water pump, etc.
Bottomline: You want 400 hp, get a crate, you want cheap, drop it to 300 hp.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
I'm with the Vortec crowd for budget builds... just remember that budget builds get budget results! It'll still be a lot quicker than what's under the hood right now though.
I would not go with the World S/R Torquers mentioned earlier. They are more expensive and won't make the same power as the Vortecs.
It'll still be a lot quicker than what's under the hood right now though.I would not go with the World S/R Torquers mentioned earlier. They are more expensive and won't make the same power as the Vortecs.