Calling all Vortec head users....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 405
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis
Calling all Vortec head users....
I'm about to place the order. But before I leap, I'd like to know some of the installation details that I'll need to consider before making the committment. I know about the hood clearance issue, but what about the fuel line? I would assume that a new one will have to be fabricated to account for the increased height of the carb. Will the accelerator/THM and CC linkage still match up to the carb? What else has to be considered? Is there a web site that one can access all of this info. ?
I'd appreciate the benefit of your experience out there.
I'd appreciate the benefit of your experience out there.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Brandon FL
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
I've been tooling around the thought of replacing my L-48 with the GM's 330HP vortec crate engine and from what I can gather GM's vortec intake manifold #12496820 is a low rise design that should fit under a stock hood. Don't no if this will be any help to you or not :steering:
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
Vortech heads place the intake higher??? Sure about that?
Considerations:
1- Intake bolt pattern is different.
2- Valve springs only good to .450 lift. Need machine work to bore out spring bosses to install bigger srpings fpr bigger cam. Also have to machine down valve guide a bit.
3- Press in studs. I will never use those again. Can be machined for screw in.
Damn good head. But the price creeps up when you do required machine work.
Considerations:
1- Intake bolt pattern is different.
2- Valve springs only good to .450 lift. Need machine work to bore out spring bosses to install bigger srpings fpr bigger cam. Also have to machine down valve guide a bit.
3- Press in studs. I will never use those again. Can be machined for screw in.
Damn good head. But the price creeps up when you do required machine work.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (Weird Science)
I have the Edelbrock Performer Vortec manifold. I test fitted my carb to my new engine and it seemed OK. That said, nothing is for certain until I try to bolt it all together.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay Area
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (Weird Science)
Scoggin Dickey sells a set that are pre prepped with the LT4 springs (good for .525" lift) they sell for $319 ea, compared to $238 ea, not to bad. Don't come with screw in studs though. You can alomost do that your self though.
http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...d=277&pid=9063
Josh
http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...d=277&pid=9063
Josh
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 405
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (mean8t)
Edelbrock says in their web site that the Vortec intake will not clear the hood on Corvettes. (I'm assuming with stock air cleaner) That means that the Vortec design is definitely higher than stock. That also means stretching the gas line, and what else, I don't know.
There MUST be ONE person out there who's done this. I ain't gonna be the first. I'm told that DART heads are an exact replacement. I may just ante up the extra $$ and call it done.
There MUST be ONE person out there who's done this. I ain't gonna be the first. I'm told that DART heads are an exact replacement. I may just ante up the extra $$ and call it done.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
How about Smokehouse69?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=169180
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=169180
Advanced
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Wylie TX
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
I have the vortec heads on my engine. I am using the performer RPM for vortec intake and a holley 650DP carb. it fits under the stock hood (76) with a drop base air cleaner...the stock air cleaner will not work. As far as the fuel line goes...I changed carbs so that stock one would not have worked any way. I made a new one. It was pretty cheap and easy. The only other thing I had to change was the alternator mounting bracket. The heads I used were off a 98 truck. I had them machined and new valve springs put on them. The engine seems to run well, but the car isn't road worthy yet so I have only driven it around the neighborhood. Hope this helps some.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
I've been running the Vortecs since October. I like them. They were easy. The obvious stuff, is the valve covers. You need center bolts.
The water temp sensor needs to be adapted or relocated. I moved mine to the water outlet.
Unlike someone else, I did not have issues with the alternator bracket. Mine went right on, without issues.
I'm using an Edelbrock carb, so I went with an Edelbrock low profile air cleaner. Fits fine.
The throttle cable bracket did have to be adjusted somewhat. But I used nothing more than common hand tools.
I used Lar's site as a guide to custom fabricate my fuel lines. Easy. I also went with his recommendation for the fuel filter. This is a great idea, as you can never have too good of a filter.
And that's it. No other issues.
I bought my heads from Scoggin Dickey. I bought the base, assembled kit, with the intake, gaskets, and all fasteners for a little over $700. Go to my website, if you want more info on this. I have links to SDP as well.
:cheers:
The water temp sensor needs to be adapted or relocated. I moved mine to the water outlet.
Unlike someone else, I did not have issues with the alternator bracket. Mine went right on, without issues.
I'm using an Edelbrock carb, so I went with an Edelbrock low profile air cleaner. Fits fine.
The throttle cable bracket did have to be adjusted somewhat. But I used nothing more than common hand tools.
I used Lar's site as a guide to custom fabricate my fuel lines. Easy. I also went with his recommendation for the fuel filter. This is a great idea, as you can never have too good of a filter.
And that's it. No other issues.
I bought my heads from Scoggin Dickey. I bought the base, assembled kit, with the intake, gaskets, and all fasteners for a little over $700. Go to my website, if you want more info on this. I have links to SDP as well.
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (joeveto)
I have Vortec heads on my 77. Joeveto covers it pretty well, except for one thing. If you are using the stock distributor cover and plug wire enclosure pieces, they are mounted to brackets that bolt to the intake manifold. The Vortec heads use an intake with bolts that are verticle, not on an angle like other SBC heads/manifolds. You can modify the brackets to fit however.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 405
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
One more issue..... What about the air conditioner compressor support strut that normally mounts to the middle intake bolt? On a Vortec there is no bolt. Looks like one would have to make a new strut and extend it to the next bolt towards the rear, right?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
I was planning on leaving that support brace off. I'm not planning on having the A/C working right away anyway. I guess whether it's needed or not depends on how much your compressor moves around under load.
In other news, I fitted the fuel line between my stock fuel pump and the carb on top of the Edelbrock Vortec manifold last night. It took a bit of cajoling and bending, but it can be made to fit while clearing the valve cover.
In other news, I fitted the fuel line between my stock fuel pump and the carb on top of the Edelbrock Vortec manifold last night. It took a bit of cajoling and bending, but it can be made to fit while clearing the valve cover.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Englewood CO
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
When I was installing my valve covers I realized that the valvecovers rested on the stock exhaust manifold. I know one person on the forum had to grind his manifolds down to fit the valve covers, I just used it as an excuse to get headers.
I also had no problem fitting the stock Q-jet with the Edlebrock Permofmer Vortec intake to my stock 1979 air filter, hood clearences are fine.
[Modified by 79corvette, 8:33 PM 5/8/2003]
I also had no problem fitting the stock Q-jet with the Edlebrock Permofmer Vortec intake to my stock 1979 air filter, hood clearences are fine.
[Modified by 79corvette, 8:33 PM 5/8/2003]
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Quebec
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
I just installed a new engine with vortec head and it fits great. The intake issue depends on which one you choose. I chose the edelbrock performer to keep the stock appearance. With a thin gasket for the carb base, it cleared the hood with the stock air filter.
The spring that I used didn't require any machining. The are from Scoggin-Dickey http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...art&catid=2060 , you just remove the damper that is inside the spring and they fit great. I have a roller cam with .500 inch of lift and so far everything is great to 6000 rpm.
Stephan
I had my heads machined to accept the stock valve cover.
[Modified by American Boy, 9:58 PM 5/8/2003]
[Modified by American Boy, 10:00 PM 5/8/2003]
The spring that I used didn't require any machining. The are from Scoggin-Dickey http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...art&catid=2060 , you just remove the damper that is inside the spring and they fit great. I have a roller cam with .500 inch of lift and so far everything is great to 6000 rpm.
Stephan
I had my heads machined to accept the stock valve cover.
[Modified by American Boy, 9:58 PM 5/8/2003]
[Modified by American Boy, 10:00 PM 5/8/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (79corvette)
When I was installing my valve covers I realized that the valvecovers rested on the stock exhaust manifold. I know one person on the forum had to grind his manifolds down to fit the valve covers
I also used exhaust gaskets... there were none on the car as supplied from the factory but I thought using gaskets was a wise precaution.
[Modified by zymurgist, 6:57 AM 5/9/2003]
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 524
Likes: 59
From: watchung N.J.
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (zymurgist)
I just installed a 385 fastburn G.M. Crate engine and had hood clearance problems with the stock 71 hood, Lars suggested using a base from a C-2
Big block, I ordered one from Ecklers for $75- it really has a drop to it
I have a Holley I dont know if it will work with a q-jet- but it fixed the problem!
Big block, I ordered one from Ecklers for $75- it really has a drop to it
I have a Holley I dont know if it will work with a q-jet- but it fixed the problem!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Re: Calling all Vortec head users.... (7T9Shark)
Add speical intake bolts to the list. These bolts keep you from over-tightening the intake. Cant re-use your rocker arms either. These babys want self-aligning.
Honeslty, I like the vortechs but even if you order them with better srpings from Scogin, your out $700+. And you still have push-in studs. You may not care about that now, but I've pulled a couple and that makes it an issue for me.
Unless your on a tight budget, I would spend $200 more and get a complete assembled pair of Sportsman II heads from summit for $795. Comes with screw-in studs, guidplates, good srpings valves, etc.. Get these heads and re-use your rocker arms. Same intake, etc.. Elimintates some of the above problems. Hood clearance still an issue, because that is dependent on your intake of choice and not the heads.
Have fun!
Honeslty, I like the vortechs but even if you order them with better srpings from Scogin, your out $700+. And you still have push-in studs. You may not care about that now, but I've pulled a couple and that makes it an issue for me.
Unless your on a tight budget, I would spend $200 more and get a complete assembled pair of Sportsman II heads from summit for $795. Comes with screw-in studs, guidplates, good srpings valves, etc.. Get these heads and re-use your rocker arms. Same intake, etc.. Elimintates some of the above problems. Hood clearance still an issue, because that is dependent on your intake of choice and not the heads.
Have fun!
