Vortec Heads Question: 906 casting or not???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Murphy NC
Vortec Heads Question: 906 casting or not???
I am going to get a set of Vortecs to go on my 406 build and I have a question. Everyone says stay away from the 906 castings because of the exhaust valve. Im just trying to figure out what exactly is wrong with it and what needs to be done to correct it? Ive heard that the seat is thicker but couldnt you just do a bowl blend and smooth it out? Interested in what you guys have to say 
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,360
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From: NORTHEAST
I am going to get a set of Vortecs to go on my 406 build and I have a question. Everyone says stay away from the 906 castings because of the exhaust valve. Im just trying to figure out what exactly is wrong with it and what needs to be done to correct it? Ive heard that the seat is thicker but couldnt you just do a bowl blend and smooth it out? Interested in what you guys have to say
The newer mexican castings have smaller intake runners then the older 906 castings and the non Mexican 062 Vortec casting are a good choice as well.
And on all the heads we machine we always bowl blend the intake and exhaust with bowl hog.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 4
From: Texas
I've heard the 906's aren't as easy to port as the 062's...and that the
exhaust side port was the problem when trying to mod for increased flow.
I have no idea what budget you are working with... you can pick up a
used set of 062's on Ebay for $300 complete....
But for $550 to $650 you can get a pair of Bowtie Vortecs or Dart
Platinums...and make 30 to 80 more horespower.....your big cube motor
would respond very well to either the Bowties or the Platinums..
we're only talking about $200 to $350 more dollars.... not much money
for the extra power.
the Platinums on that engine would make a 500hp plus combo with the right cam..
exhaust side port was the problem when trying to mod for increased flow.
I have no idea what budget you are working with... you can pick up a
used set of 062's on Ebay for $300 complete....
But for $550 to $650 you can get a pair of Bowtie Vortecs or Dart
Platinums...and make 30 to 80 more horespower.....your big cube motor
would respond very well to either the Bowties or the Platinums..
we're only talking about $200 to $350 more dollars.... not much money
for the extra power.
the Platinums on that engine would make a 500hp plus combo with the right cam..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
I've heard the 906's aren't as easy to port as the 062's...and that the
exhaust side port was the problem when trying to mod for increased flow.
I have no idea what budget you are working with... you can pick up a
used set of 062's on Ebay for $300 complete....
But for $550 to $650 you can get a pair of Bowtie Vortecs or Dart
Platinums...and make 30 to 80 more horespower.....your big cube motor
would respond very well to either the Bowties or the Platinums..
we're only talking about $200 to $350 more dollars.... not much money
for the extra power.
the Platinums on that engine would make a 500hp plus combo with the right cam..
exhaust side port was the problem when trying to mod for increased flow.
I have no idea what budget you are working with... you can pick up a
used set of 062's on Ebay for $300 complete....
But for $550 to $650 you can get a pair of Bowtie Vortecs or Dart
Platinums...and make 30 to 80 more horespower.....your big cube motor
would respond very well to either the Bowties or the Platinums..
we're only talking about $200 to $350 more dollars.... not much money
for the extra power.
the Platinums on that engine would make a 500hp plus combo with the right cam..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: Lufkin Texas
What about the steam holes for a 406 build? Do vortec's have them?
I've heard the 906's aren't as easy to port as the 062's...and that the
exhaust side port was the problem when trying to mod for increased flow.
I have no idea what budget you are working with... you can pick up a
used set of 062's on Ebay for $300 complete....
But for $550 to $650 you can get a pair of Bowtie Vortecs or Dart
Platinums...and make 30 to 80 more horespower.....your big cube motor
would respond very well to either the Bowties or the Platinums..
we're only talking about $200 to $350 more dollars.... not much money
for the extra power.
the Platinums on that engine would make a 500hp plus combo with the right cam..
exhaust side port was the problem when trying to mod for increased flow.
I have no idea what budget you are working with... you can pick up a
used set of 062's on Ebay for $300 complete....
But for $550 to $650 you can get a pair of Bowtie Vortecs or Dart
Platinums...and make 30 to 80 more horespower.....your big cube motor
would respond very well to either the Bowties or the Platinums..
we're only talking about $200 to $350 more dollars.... not much money
for the extra power.
the Platinums on that engine would make a 500hp plus combo with the right cam..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: Lufkin Texas
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 904
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From: Murphy NC
You might be interested in this build then. Its what Im building for my vette. Lots of power for very little $.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._block_torque/
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._block_torque/
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
You might be interested in this build then. Its what Im building for my vette. Lots of power for very little $.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._block_torque/
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._block_torque/
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 65
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Seems like some of the 906 castings used for heavy-duty truck engines had a beefier, but restrictive exhaust valve seat (or more material underneath the seat?). If you order a new set from someone like Scoggin Dickey, you will get the more common casting.
Depending on what you expect from that 406, I think the 906 port volumes are too small, and your valve lift will be limited without machine work. If you're set on Vortecs, have you looked a the GM Bowtie Vortecs or Edlebrock E-Tec?
Depending on what you expect from that 406, I think the 906 port volumes are too small, and your valve lift will be limited without machine work. If you're set on Vortecs, have you looked a the GM Bowtie Vortecs or Edlebrock E-Tec?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 904
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From: Murphy NC
