A really dumb sbc question...

yellowjacket · 03-26-2011, 11:37 AM

Havent found a clear answer, so I hate to ask, but...

I ve got a 350 from a 88 truck that was tbi.. centerbolt v/c's..i put a performer intake on it that is specific to 88 to 95 motors. No issues. Also slipped in a cam.

question is about heads. I know I dont have vortech heads now, but are they a direct swap for my centerbolt heads? Im a lil confused cause I do understand they bolt up to intake differnt than old stlye heads, but with my stock heads do I have the old style pattern, the vortech pattern, or is 88 through95 a third, totally different pattern?

I see in jegs they seperate heads and intakes, just tryin to get myself into a set of vortechs and not sure of path I need to take.. Im sure a lot of u know the answer, so thanx in advance!

93 Krawler · 03-26-2011, 11:46 PM

The Vortech intake only have 4 bolts per head vrs the 6 on the style you have. I have the same style engine, and have some Vortech heads I am going to put on. GM performance parts has the Intake that fits the Vortech heads and retains the stock TBI setup. The intake was over $400 when I researched it a while back. So there was 3 different intakes. The original SBC, center bolt style, and Vortech.

dougg01 · 03-28-2011, 01:57 AM

scoggin-****ey had soem good prices on those at one time. The intake makes it a bit of a pinch, but for good heads at that price the deal is hard to beat.

sarge · 03-28-2011, 01:16 PM

Yes there is 3 diff intakes for the pre-LT and LS SBC the older intakes could be drilled out to fit the middle intake( center VC bolt non-vortec) . The Vortec intake WILL NOT WORK with any of the older style non vortec heads .

I had a 91 Camaro that had a 305 vortec motor that ran in the 12's . I did the vortec head swap long before anyone was messing with them and I spent countless hours on the phone and the net trying to make it work. There was not any after market support at first and there was no TBI or TPI intake out there for the new heads.

set up #1 - stock 305 bottom end , vortec heads ( decked , ported and gasket matched ) , cam, Edelbrock Vortec 4 barrell intake with alunimum adapter for T.B.I. = 13.50's :(

Set up #2 - same as above w/ carb in place of TBI . -- 12.90's

Set up # 3 - Vortec bottom end , everything else the same and added roller rockers and some tuning -- 12.50's

not an expert on the vortecs and it's been a while since I messed with them but if you have questions , feel free to ask and I'll try to dust off the spider webs .....

yellowjacket · 03-28-2011, 02:56 PM

Yeah, thanx... Im sure ill have questions .. So to get where i want to be , sounds like i need: 1 vortech heads, and 2.., vortech specofic intake... Anything else?. If it sounds like im a idiot on engines youd be correct:o

fabricator · 03-28-2011, 05:14 PM

I got a set of low milage vortech heads laying around.
They would look good laying at your house

yellowjacket · 03-28-2011, 05:17 PM

What u want to trade for them? Or, how many cheeseburgers?

KillerKoatings · 03-28-2011, 07:59 PM

Don't forget I got some BEAUTIFUL valve covers laying here for you.:)

yellowjacket · 03-28-2011, 08:22 PM

Oh yeah! I aint forgot bout them, just tryin to get down there to get them!.. Been stuck north of dayton oh for work.... Been showin those pics to guys at workthough..looks real slick!

Hopin to be down that way thurs or frid.

KillerKoatings · 03-28-2011, 08:31 PM

No problem just call or text when you want to come out

blazerbrad · 03-28-2011, 11:14 PM

Instead of buying the pricey GMPP intake the other option is to buy a Vortec head to carb intake (several options and much cheaper) and then get a $50 carb to TBI adaptor.

A guy at work replaced his 350 TBI engine with a new Vortec long block with the GMPP intake and just bolted everything together. The only mod was blocking off the EGR. With no tuning or anything it ran really good and strong, and i'm sure with a little work it would have run even better.

03-28-2011, 02:56 PM	#5
yellowjacket barely breathing Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: alexandria, ky Posts: 889	Yeah, thanx... Im sure ill have questions .. So to get where i want to be , sounds like i need: 1 vortech heads, and 2.., vortech specofic intake... Anything else?. If it sounds like im a idiot on engines youd be correct:o __________________ my next rig will be on the trail before zuk 2.0 will

03-28-2011, 05:14 PM	#6
fabricator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cincy, Oh Posts: 947	I got a set of low milage vortech heads laying around. They would look good laying at your house __________________ For you guys who can't drive, I have owned a frame rack for several years. Prices are based on your skill and ability to wreck it....

03-28-2011, 05:17 PM	#7
yellowjacket barely breathing Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: alexandria, ky Posts: 889	What u want to trade for them? Or, how many cheeseburgers? __________________ my next rig will be on the trail before zuk 2.0 will

03-28-2011, 08:22 PM	#9
yellowjacket barely breathing Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: alexandria, ky Posts: 889	Oh yeah! I aint forgot bout them, just tryin to get down there to get them!.. Been stuck north of dayton oh for work.... Been showin those pics to guys at workthough..looks real slick! Hopin to be down that way thurs or frid. __________________ my next rig will be on the trail before zuk 2.0 will

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03-26-2011, 11:37 AM	#1
yellowjacket barely breathing Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: alexandria, ky Posts: 889	A really dumb sbc question... Havent found a clear answer, so I hate to ask, but... I ve got a 350 from a 88 truck that was tbi.. centerbolt v/c's..i put a performer intake on it that is specific to 88 to 95 motors. No issues. Also slipped in a cam. question is about heads. I know I dont have vortech heads now, but are they a direct swap for my centerbolt heads? Im a lil confused cause I do understand they bolt up to intake differnt than old stlye heads, but with my stock heads do I have the old style pattern, the vortech pattern, or is 88 through95 a third, totally different pattern? I see in jegs they seperate heads and intakes, just tryin to get myself into a set of vortechs and not sure of path I need to take.. Im sure a lot of u know the answer, so thanx in advance! __________________ my next rig will be on the trail before zuk 2.0 will

03-26-2011, 11:46 PM	#2
93 Krawler >>>PMC<<< - CORE Member - - Administrator - Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ross, OH Posts: 2,069 Images: 1268	The Vortech intake only have 4 bolts per head vrs the 6 on the style you have. I have the same style engine, and have some Vortech heads I am going to put on. GM performance parts has the Intake that fits the Vortech heads and retains the stock TBI setup. The intake was over $400 when I researched it a while back. So there was 3 different intakes. The original SBC, center bolt style, and Vortech.

03-28-2011, 01:57 AM	#3
dougg01 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NE Scott County, KY Posts: 39	scoggin-****ey had soem good prices on those at one time. The intake makes it a bit of a pinch, but for good heads at that price the deal is hard to beat.

03-28-2011, 01:16 PM	#4
sarge Pure Bacon Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Trenton, Oh Posts: 1,098	Yes there is 3 diff intakes for the pre-LT and LS SBC the older intakes could be drilled out to fit the middle intake( center VC bolt non-vortec) . The Vortec intake WILL NOT WORK with any of the older style non vortec heads . I had a 91 Camaro that had a 305 vortec motor that ran in the 12's . I did the vortec head swap long before anyone was messing with them and I spent countless hours on the phone and the net trying to make it work. There was not any after market support at first and there was no TBI or TPI intake out there for the new heads. set up #1 - stock 305 bottom end , vortec heads ( decked , ported and gasket matched ) , cam, Edelbrock Vortec 4 barrell intake with alunimum adapter for T.B.I. = 13.50's :( Set up #2 - same as above w/ carb in place of TBI . -- 12.90's Set up # 3 - Vortec bottom end , everything else the same and added roller rockers and some tuning -- 12.50's not an expert on the vortecs and it's been a while since I messed with them but if you have questions , feel free to ask and I'll try to dust off the spider webs .....

03-28-2011, 07:59 PM	#8
KillerKoatings Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 119	Don't forget I got some BEAUTIFUL valve covers laying here for you.:)

03-28-2011, 08:31 PM	#10
KillerKoatings Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 119	No problem just call or text when you want to come out

03-28-2011, 11:14 PM	#11
blazerbrad - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 831 Images: 6	Instead of buying the pricey GMPP intake the other option is to buy a Vortec head to carb intake (several options and much cheaper) and then get a $50 carb to TBI adaptor. A guy at work replaced his 350 TBI engine with a new Vortec long block with the GMPP intake and just bolted everything together. The only mod was blocking off the EGR. With no tuning or anything it ran really good and strong, and i'm sure with a little work it would have run even better.