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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: scoob4444 on February 27, 2014, 07:13:50 pm

Title: Vortec vs stock heads
Post by: scoob4444 on February 27, 2014, 07:13:50 pm
Just wondering the compression difference between the stock heads and the vortec heads on a 350

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Title: Re: Vortec vs stock heads
Post by: rich weyand on February 28, 2014, 12:22:32 am
Regular heads: spec 8.5:1, probably more like 8:1.
Vortec heads: 9.4:1.
Title: Re: Vortec vs stock heads
Post by: scoob4444 on February 28, 2014, 12:28:34 am
Thanks

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Title: Re: Vortec vs stock heads
Post by: LeftysRodandCustom on April 18, 2014, 01:25:14 pm
Agreed Rich, stock heads have a 76cc combustion chamber, vortec is closer to 64cc
Title: Re: Vortec vs stock heads
Post by: BADAZ chevy guy on April 18, 2014, 01:49:05 pm
Vortec heads also have larger intake runners and flow much better. Cam options can be an issue though. vortec valve springs will bind at any lift beyond about .046 lift, unless you have them machined for bigger cam lift. Stock intake manifold wont work either.
Title: Re: Vortec vs stock heads
Post by: DustyRusty on April 18, 2014, 05:19:54 pm
vortec valve springs will bind at any lift beyond about .046 lift, unless you have them machined for bigger cam lift.

Do you mean .46 inches of lift?
Title: Re: Vortec vs stock heads
Post by: BADAZ chevy guy on April 18, 2014, 05:35:42 pm
Yes. .46 lift. I really hate it when those darn zeros run amock. ::)
Title: Re: Vortec vs stock heads
Post by: Captkaos on April 22, 2014, 09:46:45 pm
Heads themselves do not determine compression ratio.  It is the combination of the bowl area, piston volume, bore, stroke and head gasket thickness.

Putting Vortec heads on a generally stock Pre 86 truck will raise the compression roughly a point if you want a generic answer.

Most late 80's 350's had 8.2:1 compression, 305's had 9.2:1...

Title: Re: Vortec vs stock heads
Post by: LeftysRodandCustom on April 24, 2014, 10:21:01 am
While heads are not the only factor in determining compression ratio, they will definitely make a noticeable change when going from one chamber size to another. All should be taken into account, but in my opinion a stock 882 casting belongs in the junk yard if there's a vortec, bowtie, etc. available.