Vortec Head setup

[Sean Krupa]

I will be swapping on my stockish Vortec heads this winter along with an upgraded Cam. The Heads have a 3 angle valve job and milled a bit for a flat surface. Only thing I need to do to them is get them drilled for the intake. Going to get the necessary gaskets for the swap from Hood and will be using Stock head gaskets. Got a few questions though.

I will be using the stock rockers. What Valve springs should I go with? I will be using a custom Cam from Harry Anderson, which is a bit bigger than the 422 Comp Cam. I can get LS2 springs for cheap if they would work or require cutting the seats to fit the larger spring.

What Lifters should I run?

Can I use stock pushrods or do I need aftermarket?

Stock Head bolts or ARP?

The reason why I'm doing this swap is for 1, I basically have nothing left to do to the Ty, and 2, I want to be able to go faster (easier). Meaning, not push a whole lot of boost and run high 11's with stockish boost. Not looking for the best of the best parts to use, but something that will work well with my setup below.

Any other tips and suggestions would be great.

Thanks!

 

[Syclone22]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Sean i would recommend ARP head studs - roller rockers
comp cams one piece pushrods and LS beehive valve springs
but you need to check if valve seats needs to be altered
mine dropped in but the heads were modded by Jerry McCoy ..
if your looking for a nice set of dual valve springs with no wiggle
retainers i have a low miles test set for sale ..

 

[wildphil]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Since you are getting the cam from Harry. Ask him about the valve springs. The springs will need to match what spring rate your cam needs.

ARP are great bolts and not very expensive.

On your pushrods ideally when the cam is changed. You are supposed to measure to see what length pushrod is required. A adjustable pushrod can be purchased to measure with. But I can tell you on my engine I used stock ratio roller rockers and my cam has 535 lift and stock length pushrods were exactly what I needed.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Vortec Head setup

I basically have nothing left to do to to the Ty

:rotf:

Don't bother with roller rockers. The stock valve train is pretty good, a lot cheaper and you won't doing the motor high enough to get the alleged performance gains anyway. I wasted a tonne of money getting mine figured out.

Stock length push rods worked for me as well. Check Tooky's vortec thread for more details or my project thread. Engine dye is what you need to properly centre the push rod but I am sure stock is fine unless you took .5" off your deck and then you have a boatload of other issues.

Make sure to put the plastic valve covers on. I messed around with the stockers and it was a PITA. Eventually got the stock VC on and life is sweet.

Drill head for oil dipstick attachment? Don't forget to put the dipstick on before the heads! They need the different plugs as well.

Be interested to see what you do next. :tup:

 

[sytyguy]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Your pushrods are gonna fall around 7.200-7.250 in length. I carry these in a nice Manley 1-piece solid pushrod set. I also keep the gaskets in stock and can get whatever bolts/lifters/etc.... you need. I'll keep an eye on this post, but when you get ready to order something, just let me know.

 

[Sean Krupa]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Thanks guys. I made this thread because Harry is very busy and hard to contact. He was supposed to get back to be on what Springs and Lifters to use.

I can tell already, this swap is guna be $$. That's why I'm asking if the big $ stuff is necessary at this point of my build. As most of you guys know, I have a spare motor in the garage that will have all the goodies, forged and ARP everything. But for now since I'm not going for any records, just wondering if I can get by with somewhat stock stuff.

ARP bolts alone are $100+ and those Manley pushrods are another $100. Plus I need Springs and lifters.

I mean, my goal for next year is somewhere in the high mid 11's with conservative boost. So I don't know if stock head bolts can't handle that pressure. Not trying to be a cheap ass, just if I don't have to go big, then I'll try not to if that makes sense.

 

[Dr.Gixxer]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Get the studs and you will only have to do it once. Roller everything you can....might not make a huge difference but every little bit counts.
You have all winter to buy parts so get it when you can afford it and that way you wont have to cut corners on any of it.
Just my thoughts.

 

[turbojoe]

Re: Vortec Head setup

not sure how much they will charge you to drill the heads, If you want to do it yourself I can lend you the jig that I made to drill and tap my vortec heads.

 

[It's just a six]

Re: Vortec Head setup

I mean, my goal for next year is somewhere in the high mid 11's with conservative boost. So I don't know if stock head bolts can't handle that pressure..

The reason the boost is so high w/stock heads & stock cam, is because the heads & cam are so restrictive. Can't breath. Damm high swirl vane :rotf:

As far as boost is concerned, I think guys have run as high as 27-28 + to 30 by accident ( I've read) PSI w/out blowing head gaskets. Just need to control detonation.

I would run roller rockers, they will give you true accurate ratio valve lift as opposed to stock stamped steel inaccurate ratio rocker arms.

Less wear on valve guides & valve stem tips.:2cents:

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Do you have later shaft mount rockers vortecs or earlier stamp steel rockers?

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Vortec Head setup

The reason the boost is so high w/stock heads & stock cam, is because the heads & cam are so restrictive. Can't breath. Damm high swirl vane :rotf:

As far as boost is concerned, I think guys have run as high as 27-28 + to 30 by accident ( I've read) PSI w/out blowing head gaskets. Just need to control detonation.

I would run roller rockers, they will give you true accurate ratio valve lift as opposed to stock stamped steel inaccurate ratio rocker arms.

Less wear on valve guides & valve stem tips.:2cents:

Stock stamped steel probably made 1000x the aftermarket number. They're 1.52 ratio. Hardly an unknown. I reject your inaccurate supposition.

Pistols at dawn!

 

[wildphil]

Re: Vortec Head setup

I would think if you are going to stay around stock boost levels then stock type bolts would be OK. But on the pushrods. I would have to go with good 1 piece pushrods.

Are you going to be able to keep the boost at the lower levels?

 

[TYTILIDIE]

Re: Vortec Head setup

If it were me doing it, I'd use the comp 987 springs and stock lifters and push rods. Unless your lift will be considerably higher anything else isn't incredibly necessary in my book. I wold run some roller rockers though, I like the Crane Golds.

 

[Sean Krupa]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Well I'm trying to work smarter not harder. Meaning, not push the heck out of the setup to get my goal which is 11's, whatever the setup will get me.

I have the 772 vortecs. I will be using the stock rockers and definetely get those Manley pushrods then. I can control the boost levels with the External wastegate spring for base boost. I also have a MBC for minor adjustments. I'm shooting for a setup like Ralphs (ViciousV6) below. Ran 11's consistently on 15-16psi on a calm boost launch.



Any more suggestions would be appreciated! Especially on Valve springs and lifters? Maybe a kit for a Big cam setup. BTW, the Lift on the Cam will be .525.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Vortec Head setup

I always thought that Ralph (ViciousV6) had a few tricks up his sleeve. I wouldn't expect his ET's to be the normal for Typhoon with Vortecs and 15-16psi.

 

[SEL777]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Don't forget the head gaskets like the Cometic MLS.

 

[bezerk]

Re: Vortec Head setup

running 11's easy on an easy tune with just a few upgrades.......

For money i wouldnt go full roller rocker setup, just roller tip. (less noise)
Alky.......if you dont have it already...
arp bolts/studs....i dont see the big difference. stock onces are fine as well.
lower intake on vortec converted..USE RTV around the WATERJACKETS!!!!!

 

[bezerk]

Re: Vortec Head setup

headgaskets stock are fine.....u will pop a rod before u pop a headgasket!

 

[Sean Krupa]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. If I'm not pushing higher boost, infact want to lower the boost, why get the ARP bolts when the stock bolts are good enough. Also agree on the stock head gaskets.

I'll give Harry a few days to get back to be and then I'll contact him again.

Keep it coming guys :tup:

 

[It's just a six]

Re: Vortec Head setup

Stock stamped steel probably made 1000x the aftermarket number. They're 1.52 ratio. Hardly an unknown. I reject your inaccurate supposition.

Pistols at dawn!

HA!
A dual it is!:rotf:

I never indicated the ratio of our rocker arms are not known. Just inaccurate.

The reason that I say stamped steel rocker arms are inaccurate, is because of just that, there stamped.

I have seen brand new SBC stamped 1.5 ratio rocker arms tested for valve lift , one actually had a ratio of 1.42, another had a ratio of 1.40, another 1.48 & so on & so on. All over the place.
Sure , you are correct, stamped steel were made by the thousands, quick easy to stamped out fast, just not accurate as a machined rocker arm.

You don't have to believe me, take it for what it's worth.:2cents: