Thread: Vortec setup OR roller rockers?

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My vote is for the Vortec heads with the following qualifiers - they need to be crack free and have a good three angle valve job done at a quality machine shop. So you'll need to take them in and have them magnafluxed and if they're okay, deck them, get a good three angle grind done, taps the studs and go with your new springs (and maybe a few valves?) and viola - great set of heads. Before you get the work done however; price the finished product and consider the next paragraph-

You may want to at least look at the offering from Edelbrock where you could get aluminum heads that are CNC designed and newer technology, close to the same flow numbers as Vortecs, new springs, guide plates, screw-in studs, hardened spring seats, stainless valves for under a grand ready to go. No muss, no fuss - See: Edelbrock 5089 - Edelbrock E-Street Cylinder Heads - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Just sayin'

Others will chime in - let us know what you come up with and welcome to CHR!
Glenn

i HAVE A FRIEND THAT BUILDS STREET ENGINGES. HE TOLD ME THAT AFTER USING MOST OF THE SBC ALUMINUM HEADS AVAILABLE THAT HE DISCOVERED THAT THE ELDEBROCK ALUMINUM HEADS WHEN TORN DOWN CHECK OUT WITH ALL THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS EVERY TIME. HE SAYS THAT THE ELDEBROCK HEADS ARE THE ONLY HEADS TO CHECK OUT LIKE THIS. SO YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOME GREAT ADVISE GARYS GEARBOX

Originally Posted by Muncieman

i HAVE A FRIEND THAT BUILDS STREET ENGINGES. HE TOLD ME THAT AFTER USING MOST OF THE SBC ALUMINUM HEADS AVAILABLE THAT HE DISCOVERED THAT THE ELDEBROCK ALUMINUM HEADS WHEN TORN DOWN CHECK OUT WITH ALL THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS EVERY TIME. HE SAYS THAT THE ELDEBROCK HEADS ARE THE ONLY HEADS TO CHECK OUT LIKE THIS. SO YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOME GREAT ADVISE GARYS GEARBOX

First off-please turn off the caps.That is interpreted as yelling.Edelbrock does build a good product.But to make a blanket statement like that isn't accurate.How did your street engine builder come to that conclusion??.Does he have the equipment,flow bench,test for for what he is saying??.Hell RHS builds one waling aluminum head as so many other companies do.Bottom line I have my doubts the ONLY Edelbrock check out.Seems some limited experience is coming into play.Short of tie-ing in Edelbrock's $3,500 EFI system with the heads my ref to them as been a mid moderate kind of mod.

I went with Vortec heads, Erson TQ-40 cam and the flat-top pistons I got the higher pressure z28 drop-in springs and .035 up locks for the valve stems to compensate for the new lift in the Vortec heads. I also splurged and got a 3hp mini starter. After I had the block all the way together on the stand I realized something was not right with the rotating assembly. Turns out a rod stud was bent and was causing it to bind up the crank. I went to the guys at Accurate engine and got a new crank, bearings and a replacement rod. Now it's back together and I started it up and it seems to be running pretty strong. The increased compression is very noticeable and the Edelbrock 1405 is plenty good as is with standard jets and metering rods. So far I'm pretty happy with the build and I figure 400 hp is a good target. It is hard to tell anything from a stand run so I'll have a friend at Lincoln tech dyno the car after the engine is in and broken in. if it isn't obvious from the pic I have a dual plane intake and some worthless chrome pan and chain covers that don't add any performance numbers but make me happy anyway. also my brother is planning on running almost the same exact setup on his 72 nova with a 327 that he is putting a five speed overdrive transmission in from an 80s pickup truck. 355 engine.jpg