what does vortec mean?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Gardner KS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: what does vortec mean? (Jsailor24)
They are called "Vortec" heads because they were used in the Vortec truck engines. They are actually derived from the LT1/4 style aluminum heads although slightly different - cast iron instead of aluminum, straight instead of angled plugs, regular coolant flow instead of reversed, and some differences in the ports and chambers. They are much more efficient than a regular GM cast iron SB head because of the "fast burn" style chamber and the port designs. They have raised intake ports which is why a special "Vortec" style intake manifold is required. With a comparable CR, the Vortec heads will make more power than aluminum L98 heads. They are also very popular because they are extremely affordable - around $500 for a brand new pair with springs and valves good to around .490" lift. -Jeff
[Modified by 18carfan, 10:21 PM 2/6/2002]
[Modified by 18carfan, 10:21 PM 2/6/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Re: what does vortec mean? (Jsailor24)
I'll give a WAG at it. Have you ever seen the wing tip Vortices generated from a slow moving jet airliner? The combination of weight and slow speed of the plane generates the "vortices" or swirling motion of the air flow, therefore, one might conclude this is the magic of vortec heads. (but, like I said, it is only a WAG on my part). :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 865
Likes: 6
From: Auburn Michigan
Re: what does vortec mean? (southern_son)
Have you ever seen the wing tip Vortices generated from a slow moving jet airliner?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Re: what does vortec mean? (cohocarl)
cohocarl, you are absolutely right! The point of the slow moving airliner references the load factor and greater angle of attack of the wing to sustain flight. The laminar flow of air is more exagerated and produdes a greater vortice (? sp). :)
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay Area
Re: what does vortec mean? (Jsailor24)
You are all very close. The first advantage of the Vortec heads is the flow numbers. The flow almost 240cfm at .500" lift and have even better low and mid lift numbers (which is important for a good overall TQ curve). The flow comes form the raised runner design, the runners don't have as sharp of a turn into the cylinder as a standard runner does. Lastly the combustion chamber shape is optimized for flat top pistons, and it bascilly enhances swirl, squish and tumble which are all necessary for proper combustion. Due to these factors the engine will be less prone to detonation (which means you can run more compression), and the reason they are called fast burn is because those three things (squish, swirl, and tumble) allow for a better mixture, which in turn results in a faster burn which results in more pressure before the piston starts to go down the bore. All these factors lead to an awesome head for only about $600 ready for .525".
