vortec heads. what are you guys payin for them?

[custom442]

I'd assume its just another pre '86 350. Wouldn't worry bout 4 bolt or 2 bolt as you'll max out the internals or burn up the bearings before the mains go on an older stock 350.

megaladon made the point I was trying to say earlier. exactly why he should buy the vortecs. I dont think you really need the aluminum heads, the 185 patriots aren't doing anything for the combo except takin maybe 30 lbs off the front end, takin off the hood would give better results. Might as well make the same or more power for less money with the vortecs. I'm sure you could even find some nice used ported ones for 650$ that'll whip the pants off of those patriots

It all depends on what else youre doing to the engine, but for just a nice budget build, I'd get the vortecs. I have them on my truck and theres nothing I'd change about them for a daily driver (well...before I blew the transmission)

 

[83cutlassowner]

I'd assume its just another pre '86 350. Wouldn't worry bout 4 bolt or 2 bolt as you'll max out the internals or burn up the bearings before the mains go on an older stock 350.

megaladon made the point I was trying to say earlier. exactly why he should buy the vortecs. I dont think you really need the aluminum heads, the 185 patriots aren't doing anything for the combo except takin maybe 30 lbs off the front end, takin off the hood would give better results. Might as well make the same or more power for less money with the vortecs. I'm sure you could even find some nice used ported ones for 650$ that'll whip the pants off of those patriots

It all depends on what else youre doing to the engine, but for just a nice budget build, I'd get the vortecs. I have them on my truck and theres nothing I'd change about them for a daily driver (well...before I blew the transmission)

yeah. i really could care less about the weight savings. i will probably end up getting a pair of vortec heads instead of the patriots. my eventual goal is to have around 400-450 hp. as it sits it runs decent but the gears need to be changed bad. if i can get the heads changed out and get my rearend built this winter i'll be happy.

 

[custom442]

400 hp is attainable with some work, 450 is really stretching (not gonna happen) with an old block and either of those heads you're looking at. This is why I recommended the patriot 195cc heads, they really are a big step up for only 150$ more than those 185 patriots. At that point you'd have to be worried about your internals being able to take a beating, so if this is a budget type build the vortecs are perfect, also the two heads you suggested will give you more power in everyday driving situations, so if its a daily driver again go with the vortecs. In a perfect world we'd all be running ported AFRs but then what would be the fun in that.

 

[83cutlassowner]

400 hp is attainable with some work, 450 is really stretching (not gonna happen) with an old block and either of those heads you're looking at. This is why I recommended the patriot 195cc heads, they really are a big step up for only 150$ more than those 185 patriots. At that point you'd have to be worried about your internals being able to take a beating, so if this is a budget type build the vortecs are perfect, also the two heads you suggested will give you more power in everyday driving situations, so if its a daily driver again go with the vortecs. In a perfect world we'd all be running ported AFRs but then what would be the fun in that.

i'll keep that in mind thanks. from what the po told me the motor only has about 2000 miles on it but to get the power i want i'm going to end up going through the motor and checking to see what it actually has in it and what the condition of the motor is. if i dont do that i might just put some better heads on it for the time being and i'll just build a different motor while i run that one. we'll see what happens i guess. i could always buy my dads 454 that sitting in the shed :wink:

 

[olds307 and 403]

Those are decent flow # for the 195 patriots. Flow numbers vary from bench to bench. Edelbrock rpm for the Olds have 190 cc runners and flow around the 240-250 @ .500 lift with a back cut intake, for comparison. If you have crappy gearing and stall, do not get the bigger heads. You want more velocity and torque if you don't have compression, stall and gears.