IN THIS SEGMENT WE CONTINUE OUR LOOK AT SMALL BLOCK CHEVY HEADS WE TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT TBI, TPI, AND VORTEC HEADS See part 1 • 350 CHEVY HEADS BEST A...
I'm so glad you made this video. I get so tired of explaining this to people who think their tpi heads are the bomb or call them "vortec" heads. From now on I'm just gonna send them this video and tell them to learn something 👍🏻🏁
I'm glad I watched this. I just bought a set of Vortec heads to put on a 305 just to help it a little for my nephew's first vehicle. So it looks like we're going to refresh everything on that engine as a learning experience. At least I only paid $75 for the pair
Amazing content! Thank you so much! I was raised a gearhead, joined the navy and had a bunch of kids, and now I'm retired from the navy and working as a contractor in Iraq. Your channel is invaluable to me for gaining knowledge in preparation for coming home stateside where I will finally find and build a 60-66 C10! Thank you for the knowledge and the in depth explanations.
Thank! I just almost got a set of "vortec heads" a guy thought he had, turns out they were tbi swirly heads. You just saved me 200 dollars and a bit of headache.
One thing you forgot to mention is that on the right side exhaust manifold rear flange is that sometime in the eighties they made the bolt pattern wider on the rear of the manifold. Earlier heads did not have both bolt holes, so trying to put earlier heads on a later engine could cause problems fitting up the manifold. I learned this lesson the hard way. The rest of your information is very good.
I had a 305 in an 86 Z28 and I had a budget of $2500 for my engine. So I picked up a vortec 350 (2 bolt) from summit @ $2200 and an intake from professional products. And since the car was carbureted from the factory I wasn’t changing anything major and man what a difference 95 extra horsepower makes. Since then I’ve installed ls6 valve springs and an eBay lt4 hot cam and the car dynoed at 240 hp at the tires, doesn’t sound like much but when you figure drive train loss through the 700r4 I’m making stock ls1 power for less than $3000. Now I just need a stick trans and it’ll be “done”
TBI heads work well for a truck with an RV / Torque Camshaft, like the affordable Melling MTC-1, and a small vacuum secondary 4 barrel with a dual plane intake. You'll have all sorts of torque with great drivability. The camshaft curve is idle to 4,500 rpm and the TBI heads flow to 3,500 / 4,000. I've built several truck motors with this combination that pull extremely strong with great fuel mileage. It's all about what you are trying to achieve. If I was building something with more mid and upper range RPM oomph, JEGS and Summit Racing both have brand new heads for low $300ish each. They offer an old school 2.02 intake valve, 72cc chamber, head and a Vortec form factor.
Agreed, my buddy spent thousands on intake manifold, cam & springs, exhaust headers, carb and ignition in his goody Cutlass...I dropped in a 97’ vortec L31 with only a small Comp cam and aluminium intake just so I could scrap the TBI set up to have a carb which I installed a Quadrajet in my 4 door Buick Regal body, we both has 1 wheel peelers and I’ve smashed him time after time after time even allowing him a car length off the line and I still over take him within a few seconds, I spent maybe $1000 on everything motor, cam, intake, old ass carb and swap, he’s spent thousands around $350 and I make him look stupid with that 305, if I slapped in a bigger cam and springs it would be a joke. Stock junkyard vortecs have rollers cams, 4 bolt mains, 1 piece read mains, awesome flowing factory heads and the center bolt valve covers NEVER leak
1.94/1.5 “valve heads CAN be run on a 305 block. I’ve seen it done and have done it myself. I have stepped up to 350s in all of my small block projects, but I give 305s credit where they are due. If you have an extreme budget, a simple heads+cam 305 is a great choice for a little 300 hp runner. Milled Vortec heads and mild .500” lift hyd.. roller cams work great on them with 9:1 compression. I did it and made about 325 hp in my old IROC with a COMP XR270HR. Still wasn’t enough for me, though. 305 HO ‘601/416/081 casting heads work great on 350s as well. With a .039” head gasket and the 58cc chambers, you get 9.9:1 compression. But that gets you nowhere unless you port those heads, and in the case of a ‘416 casting head, can grant over 220 cfm hand ported. Easy, cheap 375 hp engine if you run a well-matched cam. 305s in and of themselves are not good, but their parts are if they are applied on the right combination.
THANK YOU!!! I am tired of people arguing with me that the different angled bolt holes were vortec. I had one guy argue with me for hours, he spent his money on stuff that didn't work.
The 193 tbi heads actually respond very well to a straight pattern cam they flow pretty well on the exhaust side. The swirl ramp in the intake runner is the main reason they suck.
I bought new vortec heads from Chevrolet in 2003 for the carburated 1981 350 that I was building. They performed very well. But they had one big drawback, because they did not have heat riser passages they are very cold blooded and don't run well unless you run carb heater hose to your air cleaner (or some other type of carb heater) if you expect to have your engine run right if you live were it gets extremely cold in the winter.
First off great job on your videos I've watched several so far and they're very informative! ! I was searching through your videos for any information on heads, engine builds or anything else relating to a SBC 400ci. Do you plan on making any videos on it?
the drawback of the TBI heads - they have swirl ports (first introduced in 1983 on the Cavalier 2.0L motor) designed 4 max fuel economy - the swirl ports produce a tornado effect (hence the Vortec nomenclature which was introduced in 1985 with the 4.3L); also, the 96+ Vortecs (used on the 4.3) - there is no aftermarket intake 4 the TBI or CPI setup which exists
Myvintageiron7512 4.3L (the only aftermarket TBI intake which exist is the Edelbrock 3713 for use with 85-95 4.3 TBI - the 3713 does not have a Vortec 8-bolt pattern)
I’m going to look at a pair of Vortec heads tomorrow. (Or at least that is what he is proposing they are). I have watched your videos (they are awesome) so I know the casting numbers I need to be looking for. He says he “just got them back from machinist” which I am sure is a giant load of BS and I’ve noticed there are a lot of blocks and heads out there for sale that “just came back from the shop”. What should I look for??
just remembered the 7 hole Heads and the Spreaders built in on the Exhaust Manifolds of the older setups in cars like the Caprice and some cars coming out with 4 bolt blocks like the 3970010 or trucks 397001
Few mistakes as I worked for GMPD. The 193 TBI head actually breathes better than the vortec under 3500 rpm on a 4.00 bore. They are excellent for low rpm power. They get knocked too much. The vortec heartburn combustion chamber was aspired from the bowtie phase 1 heads in 1993. However they were not used till 1996 and ended 2002. The 906 vortecs have a pressed steel seat. They don't crack near as much as the 062 vortec heads. The 2500-3500 trucks had the 906. A vortec head will support 500 HP on a 4.030 bore and 6 inch rod. The gains of the TBI is strength and reliability. They run out of power at 4800 rpm. But are amazing off idle. The vortec castings are thinner, and most vortecs that get worked lose power, and crack. If you are reading this and stuck between heads, the only upgrade is a AFR 190 head. Otherwise, keep your vortecs.
i have no experence in the TBI -TPI and vortecs , i would have fell for the vortec fakes not knowing , i dont use craigs list ,,, Thanks for doing this vid :)
Had a guy try to sell me a 350 with 624 heads for cheap, I Told Him "you couldn't give those heads away No Thanks!" Watch those sly guys on Craigslist with cheap rebuilt 350's. Great Vids!
I recently traded for a fresh built sbc engine. The guy said something wasn't right with it. Said ran but never ran right. It has a very nice set of gmpp 12367712 fastburn heads, pm rods. Not sure what size the roller cam is but was built as a performance inboard boat engine. Before I say anything else let me say that 10yrs ago I'd bought a fresh built dirt track engine that had the same issue as my current engine. This is why whoever assembles an engine should always verify every part is correct. The issue is both motors started normally, sounded really good and ran decent at mid range and up but extremely sick from take off until RPMs hit 3k and up. The issue was that someone was shipped the wrong pistons and assembled the engines with them. The dirt track engine had huge dome 383 pistons with 291 DH heads on a 350 build. The one I recently got has dish 383 pistons with the 1st gen fastburn heads on a 350 build, idk how it ran just what I was told. I am curious about why the heads I have where redesigned or whatever, I can't find any information on them other than they're the 1st gen persay and the 2nd gen has upgraded valve train. They're stock, never ported etc. Do you have an idea what horsepower they'd be capable of in their stock condition. They're very nice heads with valve springs that match the roller cam so I was told.
I've only ever seen 081's with 58cc chambers. 193's are also 350 TBI heads. I believe the 305 TBI heads were all 187's... still junk heads for power, but nonetheless, all the 85+ Camaro 305 heads were 58cc, regardless of TBI vs TPI, and I dont imagine the trucks are any different. I also ahve seen some independent research showing that 1.94 valves usuall fit in a 305 bore just fine at the lift levels were talkinga bout for streetable cams. it depends on tolerances and overbore and so on, but there have been plenty of guys who run 1.94 intake heads on 305's. I dont think anyone needs to be wasting time building 305s or putting heads on them in 2016, but whatever. Just a moot point because the larger chambers dump so much compression you lose power. I dont blame you for not knowing. Most of these heads are not worth the time or trouble to learn or use in anything worth building. I just know them since I'm around third gen camaros a lot. Most of them are junk. 083's are okay, the rest should be left in the 305 and TBI wastelands from whence they came. Also the 305 vortec heads dont have the good chambers that the 350 head have. Not worth the trouble even if you do find them.
Sorry I missed that you had a second video part 2 from the first one on heads. I think you answered my question about heads #191. All I need to do is find out if I can cap that water port on the drivers side or find out what I need to do to keep it working. Thanks!
Great video! I have a question. I would like to know whats the best aftermarket heads or one of the best heads for the TBI engine that have the same bolt pattern. That flow as good or better than the Vortec heads with out giving up any torque on the low end. And keep the same compression ratio.
Im looking at a 350 crate (260hp) off summit website for 86 caprice. Im going to order vortec heads, correct intake/gasket and comp cam xe 268. Is this all i need or im missing something? Want to order everything i need all at once.
Awesome video! I have a 1972 corvette, I want to put some better flowing heads, looks like I'm going to start searching for some vortec heads. My question is, will the heads have all of the same bolt holes on the front for the accessories?
I had a 1987 chevy camaro 5.0 L engine stock. Also it had a type of a tpi intake head but it had a quadrajet 4 barrel carb. Yes, the distributor was not a hei, separate coil.
Greate video I have a question can. I put vortec heads on my 95 chevy 350 tbi whitout upgrading anything els? except for the manifold nd whats a good brand to buy a manifold so I can put my tbi back.thanks
You forgot to mention the intake ports are more nicely done than the older style heads. Also for higher lift, the valve guide bosses have to be machined. They also require self aligning rockers arms if im right, unless machined for guide plates and screw in studs. I had all that done on mine, and I believe, cost wise, it could have cost me nearly the same price as entry level aftermarket cylinder heads.
Great video. I have a 74 Camaro 350 engine with an eidelbrock performer intake with 4 barrel carb, middle bolts missing and 4 in the middle on the covers so I am assuming vortec and the cast exhaust manifolds that curl up (ram horn?) and I presume from the smooth idle a standard cam and my spark plugs are toasty brown and she runs sweet. Any idea what hp I may be getting from this setup. I’ve just bought the truck a 56 Chevy pickup and it really does move well ! Cheers for any valued advice.
Thanks for the Information now I know what to look for on my engine build. I have learned the hard way on buying performance parts lol funny shit I had a 305 with..like 850 carb and a high-rise intake now that I look back that was funny as hell I did not know just was young trying to go fast
Wow. I was just about to buy a new 3o5 crate motor to put back in my 98 c1500 2wd truck. A direct swap part for part. Now I wonder if a good 350 would be a better choice. Thanks for the great and detailed videos. "Born the same year as the Corvette"
I rebuilt the motor in my 99 classic Tahoe. The heads were cracked. I replaced them with some summit vortec heads. Was told they were made from dart. I put an lt4 hot cam in with longtube headers. It runs good but not dialed in. I replaced the spider injectors with the better factory upgrade. 411 pcm which is somewhat right for the build. Deleted the emissions stuff and such. Anyway the larger tb's in the aftermarket is really expensive and limited. Want to swap over to a carbureted intake. What intake and carb would you recommend for a fairly mild build such as mine?
Everything I've seen says that vortecs flow in the 220s on the intake at .500 lift. You're numbers are obtainable with bowl blending though. Still the best head from the factory for the SBC.
awesome video thanks for putting this up very informative and i request if you are good with mopar heads say small block 360 what's best for them and the difference would be awesome as well thanks for video brother
Great series on SBC heads. I learned a lot. I would like to know your opinion on the Pontiac 389 motor for a street build. Not for the track, but at least competitive on the street. Thank You
Clayton Diabo from Kahnawake. Quebec we ran a 1955 Chevy for dor With a stock Vortech ran 1327 on the 1/4 mile at 100 Miles per hour Mortar was right out of the scrap yard we purchased an intake And distributor with a 600 carb Those motors are the best for the price
I have 10110817 heads but they look exactly like vortecs me and my dad thought they were vortecs the engine that I have is going in a 1981 camaro that I plan to be a street rod any ideas on what I should do An ps the engine is a chevy 350
very informative. this is exactly what i want to do. what cam would you suggest with those heads. looking for power gain. i am investing in heads and cam in my 88 c1500 tbi. i
And also. Do you think that not having any bolts in the middle of the head to hold the intake manifold down is a flaw in vortecs? I have replaced two lower intake manifolds on vortec trucks. Getting to be a pain in the but if you know what i mean. Thanks
hey Myvintageiron7512 great video on stock 305-350 heads and if you mind me asking which aftermarket heads would you chose on 350-383 application its going to be with streetable cam also nothing crazy.
hello I have a set of double hump heads that are 2.02 valves 76cc(I think, sure about the valves though) they do have accessory holes from the factory. can you shed any light on them. I looked up the numbers on them once and all I could find was that they were aftermarket gm heads made in mexico. are they any good? they do have screw in valve guides but I think they were done in a machine shop.
I bought a set of 441x heads and was really interested to see what you think about me swapping the 882 heads for the 441x heads and they have been pocket ported and the valve guides have been blended and look really nice and also they have bronze valve guides. Gary in Texas also I only gave 100$ for them.
Thank you for taking the time to make these videos! I have a 79 C-30 That I am wanting to pep up the 350. I currently plan to make it a 383. I recently pulled the motor and after watching your video I tried finding the #'s of my heads but haven't located them yet. Are they marked externally? Thanks again.
love these videos...im learning so much thank,,I have a 327 ci with 1.74 power pack heads now...I know small right?..but I just slapped them on to hot rod around town, but as I drive it more I see at about 4500-4700 it drops of in power. would I really notice a difference in a set of 2.02? I don't race it
I noticed that the aftermarket intake manifold that you showed us had 2 thru holes in the middle of the intake-to-head mounting flange, but only on one side. What are those for? Just curious.
I have seen people take the 193 TBI heads and mod the middle intake bolt holes by reshaping it with a carbide bur tool and machining a offset washer to allow them to bolt up to carb setup intakes.
I have a 1994 c1500 tbi and would like to upgrade cam and heads for a little more power ...nothing crazy .. i want to keep stock tbi system .. is that even possible with the computer stuff
Ok. What heads do i find that i can put on and utilize the stock intake manifold and tb unit for a tbi truck? A guy i know who restores hotrods and good stuff told me the stock intake and the throttle body unit is actually pretty good. The reason why tbi trucks are dogs is because of the heads and the crappy y pipe. Thanks
What info do you have on engine block w/ casting no. 46077823 (HP/torque)? What production car or truck was it used in? Now that's on the rear driver side of the block. Dumb question...How do I find out what heads are in it? >What are the possibilities of heads that could be used with a 305 block (stock and also 'bored' etc)? < I noticed at least 3 drilled holes on the side of the heads where belts run...though current set up bypassed with no bolts or pulleys hooked up. The engine runs w/o accessories ac, ps etc.. Also, is there a way to know what internals were used in the rebuild?Used car motor swap ... .no idea. Sounds like a beast with tons of power though....which makes it perplexing.
On my 327 large journal I have a pair of Gen 1 trick flow Twisted Wedge heads and the angle of the intake toiled in at the top makes them flow better because there’s less of a short and long turn in the port. 2.02 1.60 valves with no shrouding due to a bigger valve in a small CC.
