Has anyone had any luck with the GM iron vortec heads. They seem to have good flow numbers with the 1.94 valve set up. do you have to use anything special with these heads. Is a roller rocker self alining?

I have a 68 Camaro with a 311 (307) with vortec heads,280H Comp Cam,Pete Jackson Gear Drive,Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap(vortec),Demon 650 carb,and 9:8:1 compression and let me tell you, those heads are something else. They make all of the difference on how that motor runs.
With these heads though you will have to use a different intake manifold, the stock one does not work. The vortec manifold uses 8 bolts where standard small block uses 12 bolts.
Also when using roller rockers that are not self alighning you will need pushrod guide plates, and hardend pushrods. If you run self alighning make sure that they are made for center bolt valve covers, otherwise the rockers will hit each other.

*I know what your thinking 307 ha ha. But I run a 12.96 in the quarter mile. And you can check out my motor and car at www.angelfire.com/ca7/my68camaro1/ (http://www.angelfire.com/ca7/my68camaro1/)


[This message has been edited by Camaro_Guy (edited 11-27-2001).]

the Vortec heads have some hidden costs...

first, the intake is more expensive and you need a specific one for the heads.

second, the valve springs aren't super, so you may need new ones if you are running a cam with some lift to it. The head may need machine work to accept a new spring.

third, centerbolt valve covers required, or an adapter that costs $$.

fourth, pressed in studs, if you want to run a big cam using screw in studs gives some extra security. You can have screw in studs installed, but it costs $$.

fifth, self adjusting rockers cost more in general.

If you factor in the costs, these heads can come to cost as much as standard heads.

*Disclaimer* I am not saying that these heads are bad, they actually flow very well. Just saying that they can nickel and dime you. If you are running a more mild cam, you can use the stock springs and the pressed in studs will probably be fine.

Thank you for your info!! what can those stock springs hold for a lift? I think the vortecs arnt a bad deal cause they flow more than almost any other cast iron head and cost is pretty cheap. 219 from jegs assembled. With the manifold you are probally going buy a new one anyway so whats 5 bucks? guild plates and hardened push rods are a must with most performance engines. With the plates and push rods do you still have to run self alighing rockers or can you get anyway with normal rockers? I think my biggest worry is about the springs so if anyone knows how much lift they can handle would be great!! thank you That looks like a sweet car and engine. One thing your need is a HOLLEY the true carb of champions. For the little bit of dinking around with it the performance is well worth it.

[This message has been edited by MoeSS396 (edited 11-27-2001).]

I am using a .480 lift cam on my engine, and that is with stock vortec valve springs.
I read in Chevy High performance the maximum lift is like .486-.488. It dose just fine I haven't had a problem with that at all,but eventually I am going to get those double coiled valve springs.

As for roller rockers, I am running just giude plates and hardend pushrods from comp cams, I am not using self alighning rockers. If you do not run guide plates you must run self-alighning rockers, if you run guide plates you don't need to run self-align. rockers(but some engine builders do).

I also used the adapter that allows you to use standard valve covers,(instead of using the center-bolt valve covers)the adapter is about $170 and is made from billet aluminum.
You can get that from your local chevy dealer.

*If you have the new Car Craft(January 2002) look on page 92 and they compare the Vortec head to the cast-iron Bow Tie head, the results will suprise you.

Here is a cost breakdown I did.

Vortec Package:

Heads PN WHESC53564446 (Jim Pace): $550
Performer RPM "Vortec" (jim Pace): $174
Valve Covers PN TD6986 (Jim Pace): $112
Hardened Push Rods (Summit): $30.50
Guide Plates (Summit): $17.00
ARP Screw-in studs (Summit): $29.00
Roller Rockers (Summit): $160
Total: $1072.50

Trick Flow Package:

TFS 23* aluminum Heads (Summit): $895.00
Hardened pushrods (Summit): $30.50
Roller Rockers (Summit): $160.00
Performer RPM Intake: $120.00
Total: $1205.50

A difference of $133.00 or so. All parts are new and you still have to figure in gaskets, silicone, etc for the installation on both packages. Figure on spending a little more if you go with a single plane intake. You can save a little more money by buying the regular Vortec heads instead of the Wheeler prepared heads. However these heads come with Ferrea 1.94/1.60 valves and springs good for up to .550 lift. They are also machined for screw-in studs and guideplates (which are not included) so you do not have to worry about any of that.

Pace is running 'specials'on the Vortec heads and intake....around $600 for heads and intake. http://www.paceparts.com/Specials/specials.html

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383 Speed-O-Motive stroker kit with Holley 750DP, RPM intake,MSD6a box,World Products Sportsman II heads, ported and polished with 2.02/1.60 valves,64cc,TRW forged pistons with 10.7:1 compression, Comp Xtreme 284 cam,Crane pushrods, Comp Cam 1.6 full roller rockers,ATI damper, 40 series Flowmasters, 4.11 gears with TH350 and Hughes 3000 stall.