Vortec heads
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
Vortec heads
Hello Everybody,
I am living in Guam. I purchased a very beat-up 1985. I think I need to pull the motor. I poured oil in the engine and barely got it to move. So I am most likely going to remove the engine and have the block machined and put new rings and whatever else it needs. This is for me a driver not a race car. But, being I will have the motor apart I was thinking of going to the local bone yard and trying to find a set of Vortec heads. Will they bolt on to the 1985 L98.
My other thought was a set of the aluminum Chinese heads. I did see threads on those heads and thought I saved the threads but they are lost. So if you can send me the threads or can answer "if the heads will bolt on" I would really appreciate it. I'll be replacing the cam and timing chain. But, most probably going back to stock.
Thank you all,
Joe
I tried to search heads and got everything but. So if you can tell me how to search on this site. Thank you
I am living in Guam. I purchased a very beat-up 1985. I think I need to pull the motor. I poured oil in the engine and barely got it to move. So I am most likely going to remove the engine and have the block machined and put new rings and whatever else it needs. This is for me a driver not a race car. But, being I will have the motor apart I was thinking of going to the local bone yard and trying to find a set of Vortec heads. Will they bolt on to the 1985 L98.
My other thought was a set of the aluminum Chinese heads. I did see threads on those heads and thought I saved the threads but they are lost. So if you can send me the threads or can answer "if the heads will bolt on" I would really appreciate it. I'll be replacing the cam and timing chain. But, most probably going back to stock.
Thank you all,
Joe
I tried to search heads and got everything but. So if you can tell me how to search on this site. Thank you
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
I thought that there was an intake problem with them. Is it the angle or is it the bolt pattern?
Okay so is there a head that I can use that will give me better flow and work with the L98 intake. Or do I port and shave the heads that are on the car and be satisfied with that?
I would leave the heads but being I most probably need to have the motor repaired at a shop. I figured I should see what I can do to get some horsepower.
Thank you
Joe
Okay so is there a head that I can use that will give me better flow and work with the L98 intake. Or do I port and shave the heads that are on the car and be satisfied with that?
I would leave the heads but being I most probably need to have the motor repaired at a shop. I figured I should see what I can do to get some horsepower.
Thank you
Joe
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
I know. the easy answer is to throw money at it. I looked up some engines and I could buy a 350 for $1600.00. If I add a roller cam probably $1900.00 free shipping. But, I am in Guam. It takes three weeks to get a postage stamp and Amazon Prime charges. So shipping a motor is probably going to take month an cost A LOT of money. I am thinking of Chinese aluminum heads or just having mine shaved a little and ported a little, new cam (have to), new timing chain, new injectors the pold ones are shot. ( is anyone sellling a set of good injectors for that car. I think they are 22 gal per hour) and water pump and calling it a day. Don't forget this is not a restore and this car needs a lot of work. So 3K in the engine is out of the question.
Thank you for the input and comments are always welcome.
Thank you
Thank you for the input and comments are always welcome.
Thank you
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If your heads arent cracked, yes you can surface them get a good valve job, bowl blend and short turn cleanup. Dont go nuts, those heads dont leave a lot of room but can surely be improved.
Factory heads are pretty weak so doesnt take much to look like a hero lol.
Factory heads are pretty weak so doesnt take much to look like a hero lol.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,928
Likes: 1,486
From: New Jersey
The vortec block will have a roller cam and heads and will bolt right up. All you have to worry about is the intake and fuel system at that point. The stock block is rated at 255 with the very restrictive vortec intake so you'd be sitting around 265 with a decent intake I'd guess... you would be getting into a decent whole engine from a salvage yard for probably 1k maybe less. Just food for thought.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
The vortec block will have a roller cam and heads and will bolt right up. All you have to worry about is the intake and fuel system at that point. The stock block is rated at 255 with the very restrictive vortec intake so you'd be sitting around 265 with a decent intake I'd guess... you would be getting into a decent whole engine from a salvage yard for probably 1k maybe less. Just food for thought.
I own a 1989 Corvette. I was reading an article earlier today. Does the 89 really have 58 cc heads? Just wondering.
and thank you again. It is something to consider.
Lets face it the cam in the 85 has 151K on it. It is probably nfg. So it has to go. To buy a roller cam and the rest for the 85 would be 500/600 or more.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
If your heads arent cracked, yes you can surface them get a good valve job, bowl blend and short turn cleanup. Dont go nuts, those heads dont leave a lot of room but can surely be improved.
Factory heads are pretty weak so doesnt take much to look like a hero lol.
Factory heads are pretty weak so doesnt take much to look like a hero lol.
I have to see what's available when I get back to Guam.
Thank you all
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,928
Likes: 1,486
From: New Jersey
A roller can for a regular roller block is fairly cheap too, the vortec heads are a choke point with lift but you can grow into a low lift 212/218 or something like that and have a very fun car. I don't know the logistics of shipping and pricing but again. If you have the block you can reuselifters with a roller block.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
A roller can for a regular roller block is fairly cheap too, the vortec heads are a choke point with lift but you can grow into a low lift 212/218 or something like that and have a very fun car. I don't know the logistics of shipping and pricing but again. If you have the block you can reuselifters with a roller block.
Thank you for the suggestion and support
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,928
Likes: 1,486
From: New Jersey
Just look for a 96-00 gmt400 in the yards. You're bound to find a whole ready to run engine. Like I said, it is the easiest.
Last edited by 84 4+3; Jul 31, 2018 at 09:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,928
Likes: 1,486
From: New Jersey
the pistons have a dish. Flat tops would be like 10.5 to 1 with 58cc heads. Adding the dish is like using a larger chamber head.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Hello Everybody,
I am living in Guam. I purchased a very beat-up 1985. I think I need to pull the motor. I poured oil in the engine and barely got it to move. So I am most likely going to remove the engine and have the block machined and put new rings and whatever else it needs. This is for me a driver not a race car. But, being I will have the motor apart I was thinking of going to the local bone yard and trying to find a set of Vortec heads. Will they bolt on to the 1985 L98.
My other thought was a set of the aluminum Chinese heads. I did see threads on those heads and thought I saved the threads but they are lost. So if you can send me the threads or can answer "if the heads will bolt on" I would really appreciate it. I'll be replacing the cam and timing chain. But, most probably going back to stock.
Thank you all,
Joe
I tried to search heads and got everything but. So if you can tell me how to search on this site. Thank you
I am living in Guam. I purchased a very beat-up 1985. I think I need to pull the motor. I poured oil in the engine and barely got it to move. So I am most likely going to remove the engine and have the block machined and put new rings and whatever else it needs. This is for me a driver not a race car. But, being I will have the motor apart I was thinking of going to the local bone yard and trying to find a set of Vortec heads. Will they bolt on to the 1985 L98.
My other thought was a set of the aluminum Chinese heads. I did see threads on those heads and thought I saved the threads but they are lost. So if you can send me the threads or can answer "if the heads will bolt on" I would really appreciate it. I'll be replacing the cam and timing chain. But, most probably going back to stock.
Thank you all,
Joe
I tried to search heads and got everything but. So if you can tell me how to search on this site. Thank you
Just look for a pair of good used iron heads, while the vortec heads are good for 20 to 30 hp over stock.
Having the stock iron heads resurfaced and valve angle job good for 25 hp, (from my engine builder).
The intake runner volume needs to be around 180cc to 190cc for good low down torque.
Is no use putting race heads that flow great numbers, they are designed for 4000 to 9000 rpm
Will loose the low down torque.....
So for street use the standard heads flow fine, by fitting long tube headers and raise fuel pressure you can cut a second of quarter mile times with otherwise standard engine. That is what I did to my 85 when it was stock, from mid 14.4 sec quarters to 13.2 without heads / cam.
Iron heads and all, quite an improvement ...... before I went crazy going to a 383 engine.
By the way the 85 have TRW forged pistons standard
The injectors are 24lb running 32psi fuel pressure, later models have smaller injectors and 40psi fuel pressure.
I found 45 to 55 psi is the sweet spot for more seat in pants feel !