peeps have to decide what type of build they want. When you step up to the plate and go with Pontiacs, or Bowtie heads, or any max effort aluminum head... I generally look at that as a step past any Vortec head buildup. Both financially, and power levels. With Pontiacs, you are looking at custom headers, or modded KB headers. You need a carb style intake, meaning more work, parts & fabrication (carb to throttle body adapter, EFI adaptation, custom fuel rails, intercooler pipe change). Your heads are going to be geared towards higher RPM than any stock/L35/Vortec head, meaning you better have a high RPM cam (higher lift/duration, possibly solid roller), and a bottom end that can support that power/RPM level. Then a turbo that can support that airflow, a stall converter to match, and a fuel system to support that airflow, etc etc. You can see how this builds and builds. An issue I ran into was that I was going to do a buildup with Pontiacs, but the set I had were massively hogged out, by ASA engine builders. That is only going to hurt bottom end, and help top end (in the right build). It wasn't what I was after. I think highly of the Pontiac heads, but they aren't for everyone
I see Vortecs as the ultimate head for a bang for the buck, very mild buildup. Don't get me wrong, I think they will support 700-800hp when pushed to the limit, but they are not the head I'd use if I was going to spin to 7000rpm, or shooting for 1000hp. I wouldn't use a monster cam in a Vortec build (I think someone already proved this is a bad idea, losing 13mph + in the 1/4 in the process of "upgrading")
Anyways, the point, as always, is to think out your combinations, lest you be left with an expensive 13 second pig of a truck. You don't have to *copy* someone's build, but you need to look at what has worked, and what has *not* worked.
