vortec heads. what are you guys payin for them?

[pontiacgp]

should be fun once its done though.

it's never really done though...once you get there you'll find something else to do to it and that's what's fun about these cars..

 

[patmckinneyracing]

^ Amen to that one

 

[megaladon6]

a set of new, stock vortecs costs about $500. if you have an agressive cam, you may need the guides modified as the vortecs are limited to about .480 lift. that set for $900 could be bowtie vortecs or they could have the guides done, screw in rockers, and maybe some other mods.
if you go to aluminum you HAVE to increase the compression by about one point. FWIW vortecs already run a bit cooler than other heads. and if you set up the quench area correctly it's even better.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Try them, the only reason to do a sbc over the stock Olds. Why anyone would throw in a sbc with old crappy heads, is a retard, unless you get it free.

 

[83cutlassowner]

Try them, the only reason to do a sbc over the stock Olds. Why anyone would throw in a sbc with old crappy heads, is a retard, unless you get it free.

well it was a v6 car to start with so anything is better power wise but yeah i dont know why they did some of the things they did on this car. judging by the idle you can definitely hear the bigger cam, it has a nice intake and carb but the heads are of a mid 80's truck and they dont have hardened seats. i dont know if they ran out of money when rebuilding the thing or what the deal was but i'm definitely going to do it right and put some decent heads on the thing.

 

[megaladon6]

IDK for sure but the "truck heads" might be camel humps or something considered high(er) performance back in the day. people don't realize how much tech has gone into modern heads, especially the vortecs. when they made the first ones for the 'vette they did a ton of work. then when they made the actual vortecs they improved on the original design.
they really are an amazing head. the only drawbacks are the lack of lift and the specific intake bolt pattern. but the bowties fix this, unfortunately the price reflects it.

 

[custom442]

This is really a no brainer, the vortecs are going to outflow these patriots in stock form, but they drop off hard after .5 lift. I got the freedom 195cc intake runners when they first came out, under a promo deal so it was a killer price (not their normal 195cc heads). I do know the 195's are ported 188cc runners, not sure the story on the 185's. They have had issues with the heads, but rarely. Mine are perfect, don't have dyno numbers yet, but as flow goes if they have a little porting done (and if I trust patriot and white performance's flow test), they'll give you about 252 [email protected] lift and 260 [email protected].

IMO the 185s are crap, I wouldn't even consider it. They flow something terrible like 229-240 @.5. The only plus to patriots heads are the 195's keep on flowing after a .5 lift and they're one of the best aluminum choices for the money. So if you've got no plans to use that extra flow or don't want 195cc intake runners, then I strongly recommend the vortecs -- have more $ for porting or your pocket.

... just some info, the guys running big boosted syclone/typhoons (i know, it's the v6) upgrade to the vortec heads as opposed to aftermarket. Thats gotta tell you somethin

 

[axisg]

I am running those heads on my 350 at 10.5: 1 compression and have been happy with them ( Patriot has been taking a beating for their quality issues on some forums ).

I cannot really see how the alum would be much better performance wise other than taking some weight off the nose of the car.

yeah i guess i dont know much about patriot, i guess i could always sell my intake and get a different one if i get vortec heads. as for if its really worth the extra money for the little bit of weight savings i dont think i car that much. what kind of issues are people having with patriot if you dont mind me asking?

Patriot heads have both bolt patterns ( vortec and non intake , centre and perimiter valve covers )

My engine is running a GM Vortec Intake and perimeter valve covers for the stealth stock look ( I tell anyone who asks that it's a 305 whne really it's a 350+ hp 350 )

Complaints about Patriot heads have ranged from claims the Castings are made in China to poor finish machine work. My motor was built by a good freind who has built a lot of motors over the years. He runs Patriot heads on his 11 sec Mustang and had no issues put these on my 350.

 

[megaladon6]

i don't understand why people talk about the vortecs falling off after .500 lift. how often are you at or over 500? if you're running a cam that big, you need much bigger runners than the (stock) vortechs.

 

[83cutlassowner]

ok heres what the car has on it right now for heads. casting # 333882 mortec says they are 350-400ci from 1974-1980, 76cc, 160/60cc ports. like i said they're truck heads and dont have hardened valve seats. i'm told they're prone to cracking.
anybody have any experience with the 10066036 blocks? mortec says its a mexican made 350ci crate motor with a 2 piece seal. some sites say it's 4 bolt main others say either or.
*** forgot to mention it has roller rockers****