lt1/vortec heads ?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Better bet. This is a real nice performing head
http://www.airflowresearch.com/index...h8gd6ckelvbd35
http://www.airflowresearch.com/index...h8gd6ckelvbd35
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
GM Vortec heads are reasonable lots of work to convert Ltx heads to an 89 and not worth it. They make about the same power stock.
EQ makes a real nice vortec head also
EQ makes a real nice vortec head also
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Of the two choices that you listed, the Vortec head would be far easier to install. Mods would include lower intake>head bolt holes drilled in head...old holes plugged/filled, lower intake ceiling porting, tuning and possible shimming of front spring to accommodate more weight.
Power potential would be similar between the two heads.
Power potential would be similar between the two heads.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Like ch@os said , you need the special Vortec only TPI base to run Vortec heads
Reg SBC ports on a Vortec head shown below ( aftermarket head with both intake bolt patterns )
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Yeah, I know. But you can fiddle-fart w/it and make it work. CFI-EFI made them work by stacking two intake gaskets, no welding w/his CFI intake. It's wasn't ideal...but it was better than the stock heads. and ir ran great. In fact, I think the CAR, still does. RIP, Jim.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 621
Likes: 37
From: Texas
The only thing that limits the lift on vortec heads is the retainers hitting the valve seals. I believe stock "factory assembled" vortec heads are limited to about .450 lift before the retainer hits the valve seal. I just did a spring swap on a set of new vortec heads.
Comp cams behive srings and there retainer. Lift good to .575 or so after the swap.
Comp cams behive srings and there retainer. Lift good to .575 or so after the swap.
Last edited by project C4; Mar 16, 2013 at 09:31 PM.