Replacing Vortec Heads
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte NC
What Aluminum Heads to use?
I have been toying with the idea of replacing my iron vortec heads with some nice aluminum ones. I know that this is not necessary, as the Vortecs are fine for the street, but I'd really like to have some high performance aluminum ones. I know that there are tons of street heads to choose from, from 170-210 cc intake runners, but I was just curious what brand/type I should look into? I would like to to use something that will also support 450-500 hp in the future. My engine stats are: 350 bored .030, hyd flat tappet cam, 10:1 compression (no stats on it)currently dyno's at 425. I realize choosing heads is no simple task, but just looking for tips and suggestions.
Thanks
Cris
Thanks
Cris
Last edited by corvettecris; Jan 4, 2005 at 08:05 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Air Flow Research makes very good aluminum heads. I think either Chevy High Performance mag or Car Craft ran a comparison study on a bunch of different heads. You may need to also change you intake as I believe the Vortec uses a specific design. You should also be carful to match you cam to your heads. Vatecs are great at producing low end grunt. If you go with large runner heads, You may be disappointed with the results. You are getting 425 hp at the wheel with a 355?
what is your torque?
what is your torque?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte NC
My torque, if I remember correctly, is about 400 Ft/lbs. Its been a while since I looked at the specs, so I'm not totally sure. All information was provided via the machine shop that built it for me, so the numbers may be slightly inflated...
Oh, and its 425 at the crank, not the wheel! Ha, at the wheel would be nice, though.
Here comes a BIG question: I know that the heads/cam combo is one of the most significant things you can choose for an engine, but how do you do it? What makes certain cams work well with certain heads? Is there some information source that I can enlighten myself with?
Oh, and its 425 at the crank, not the wheel! Ha, at the wheel would be nice, though.
Here comes a BIG question: I know that the heads/cam combo is one of the most significant things you can choose for an engine, but how do you do it? What makes certain cams work well with certain heads? Is there some information source that I can enlighten myself with?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
You're pushing the law of diminishing returns here; ie., less bang for the buck. In other words, it's gonna take a lot of bucks before you get a noticeable difference in performance.
