Has anyone on the forum used this combo. If so, how do you like it ? Is it worth the money? What else did you change during the swap? Did you have any problems? Was yours a M.A.P. or M.A.F. system? Did you need to change the E.C.M. programing?

Thanks,
Kerry

 

Looked into this option. contacted TPIS and they said with their mini ram III and (I forget which cam) and vortec heads, they quoted 400 horse. now with the mini ram, and cam, need to change prom... just my 2 cents... i decided to wait and get a set of AFR's for mine.

 

Hi Kerry,
Wish I knew the year of your car for sure but here are some facts for you:
1. You will need a special intake to use a TPI setup on Vortec heads: http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...1460&pid=13740
2. The vortec heads do not have EGR ports (if you have an '85, could be a problem)
3. The springs on assembled out of the box vortec heads are only good for about .490" of lift at the valve

Vortec heads are hard to beat for the money. Out of the box performance for around $500 per pair new with valves can't be touched. They will outperform a stock L98 aluminum head no question. That's all I can think of for now. I'll post back if something else comes to mind. -Jeff

 

If you're even thinking about the vortec please consider the edelbrock 170cc/200cc version. Everything wrong with the GM vortec is right on the Edelbrock Etec's. (Eg valve springs, valve size, Al vs Iron, port flow,etc...).

I personally went with the FastBurns. I was a very tight decision between the Etec200 and the Fast burn. The fast burns in my own oppinion had more features that over came their short falls. The fast burn short falls are intake TOO big (210!!!) and it doesn't flow well for its price. To match the intake port size I stroked the motor :) and I am having the heads flow to see if it will meet my minimums.

The Etec's short fall was the lack of features that would help me to install it in my car. Striaght spark plugs may cause clearance problems with my headers...Tall Valve covers to clear roller rockers...etc....

The one thing you NEED to do is to consider intake and RPM range. The SDPC vortec manifold is made for the TPI and I will have mine flowed here shortly (Tomorrow). The other manifold is the Miniram III...a VERY IMPRESSIVE product and PRICE-$895+$335 for 460 HP with the fastburn on a .060" over 360 ci.

I personally went with the fastburn head for its features and SDPC unit to help keep max HP RPM down in the Non-forged category.

However, whatever you decide buy 1) intake manifold (SDPC is the longest wait), 2) buy the heads, and 3) the buy the cam to maximize your combo.

The only difference between the SDPC intake and my 91 TPI is that the SDPC does not have "Brace Boss" for the air pump brace. Otherwise, the SDPC has a few more coolant "taps" to aid the use in other cars (I suppose). EGR is present in the manifold.

Although I do not think that You'll need tho change the programing for the intake manifold you SHOULD re-program based on the vortec heads and cam selection.

Finally, is it worth the money? I Dunno, It all depends on what you wan t from the vehicle

 

Thanks guys for all the help. My car is a 78 corvette that I installed a T.P.I. unit on. The heads are the stock 78 350 C.I. heads. I've already bought the heads used for $240.00. I have to take them to the machine shop to have them setup.

 

The Vortec should do you a better job of it, however, when you are ready to step up your TPI will work well with any of the "normal" al heads out there

 

I ordered the intake manifold today from S.D.P.C. I hope it works out well. I'm still hoping somebody will tell me they done this.

I've got 8.5 to 1 C.R. now with 76 cc combustion chambers. The vortec heads have 64 cc combustion chambers. people say that should put the compression ratio around 10 to 1. What do you think?

I've got the plenum ported, a 52 mm throttle body, and stock runners. I've got a T.P.I.S. cam with 224 duration at .50 intake and exhaust, 495 lift and LSA of 112. I'm using the Crane fast bleed lifters to increase vacuum and smooth idle some. Vacuum is 15 inches with current heads.

Thanks for the input.
Kerry

 

Your cam selection may/will run into problems with the vortec head. The vortec head has pressed rocker arm studs may "pull" out under an agressive cam.

 

OH yeah forgot to post some the flow bench numbers

Max lift .55"
FB intake valve 233 CFM (28")
Manley undercut valve 235 CFM (2")
With SDPC intake (held in place by me and another shop guy) 195 CFM
With GMPP single plane (Carburated) intake 240-ish

 

I still hoping someone has done this.

Thanks,
Kerry

 

I would think this would be a popular swap...it is a natural...

Those Vortecs outflow the old Chevy Bowties for heavens sake.:)

 

Well I received my Scoggins Dickey manifold base today. I've got everthing I need now to do the swap. I plan to do the job this coming weekend. I'm going to leave the current prom in for now. After I get it running I will hook up my scan tool and check all the numbers. Jim at Jims performance said this would give him more valuable info to burn a new chip with. Thanks Jim.

Thanks,
Kerry

 

I'm in the process of doing this my self I got all the parts I need but I will be dynoing befor and after. Thats the hold up getting to the dyno. I got the head on ebay for about $270 and the intake on the forum for $300 I even got adapters for the valve covers so I can use the stock 85 covers. I dont run a EGR now so I dont see a problem with not running one after the change. Let me know how yours turns out.

Dave

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I got my heads from the machine shop. I got my manifold base from SDPC. I got all my gaskets. I'm still waiting for my E.G.R. block off plate. I'm excited!

Does the vortec heads use the same spark plugs?

 

NO you cant use the same plugs they are two short. I'm not sure what ones to use on our heads I guess what ever would have been in the truck they came out of.

Dave

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[Modified by opel, 3:55 AM 4/27/2002]

 

corvette4life, did you get the heads and intake on this weekend if so how did it go? I test fit them on a extra engine I have and they fit fine with almost nothing different from the stock ones. Still looking for the time to get to the dyno before I change over.

Dave
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Opel,
Yes I did get the heads on this past weekend. I haven't had a chance to drive it much yet. It feels good so far. It was worth the investment. Definately feels stronger and pulls harder in the higher R.P.M.s. I ordered the gaskets from Scoggins dickey when I ordered the manifold. I would highly reccomend the G.M. gaskets. Nicest gaskets I've ever installed.

The machine shop made a mistake with the valve springs. When I started the car it ran for about 4 seconds and made a loud knock. I shut it down immediately. I felt sick to my stomach. It sounded terrible. I removed the valve covers and found every pushrod bent and one missing. I removed the manifold and only found half of the missing push rod in the lifter valley. So, I removed the oil pan and found another piece. But I was still missing one ball end. I searched everywhere I was about to give up when my friend found it. evidently it got thrown up by the crankshaft and stuck into the side skirt of the piston. It stuck into the flat of the side skirt just below the wrist pin. It was just hanging there. It wasn't and hadn't touched the cylinder wall. Unbelievable. I touched it and it fell out.

I relaxed for a few minutes and starting reinstalling everything. I took the Z-28 valve springs off my old heads and installed them on the vortec heads. finished the installation and the car cranked up on second revolution. Set the timing and went for a test ride.

Seems to ran best at 10 degrees timing. I'm slowly bumping the fuel pressure up now. I bumped it up 2 pounds and felt a noticable difference. I'm going to try a little more pressure this weekend.

I'm pleased with the performance gains. We always want more, but I think they are great for the investment.

Please let me know how yours goes. If you don't mind, let me know how your dyno numbers turn out. I might try to get mine to a dyno this weekend.

Thanks for your interest,
Kerry

 

Holy crap batman - How could a mistake in the springs cause all that damage with the push rods?

Now you've got me scared S-less

 

I go in for the first dyno on Tuesday but I'm on vacation after that so I will start the head change the day after I come back I'll keep every one informed.
Dave
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