cylinder head question

[Lt1_8U]

my father is building an engine and was wondering if he should stick with his older style corvette fuelie heads or look into purchasing something new. he had been looking into the patriot performance vortec heads. does anyone have an insight on the newer vortecs as far as flow numbers or performance.

[Tru2Chevy]

Well, I suppose it depends on what he's looking to get out of it. There may be a few exceptions, but just about any modern aftermarket performance head should easily make more power than factory fuelie heads.

- Justin

[WayFast84]

Gm vortecs with stock springs are good for .480 lift. I would either go with gmpp or etecs. I think rhs made a vortec head as well but didn't flow very well.

I highly reccomend buying them with machine work done unless you go used. Screw in studs are a very cheap insurance unless he likes pulling the heads a lot.

[coolmanvette75]

Take a look at the gmpp fastburn heads. My dad has them along with the gm847 cam on his vette and the car makes power to the moon...

[JL8Jeff]

What size engine and what is the casting # on the fuelie heads he has now?

[Lt1_8U]

thanks for the advice guys, i know its a 350 but i will have to get back to you on the casting on the fuelie heads, i know they are pocket ported

[Slow Z]

Gm vortecs stock are good for .480 lift. I would either go with gmpp or etecs. I think rhs made a vortec head as well but didn't flow very well.

I highly reccomend buying them with machine work done unless you go used. Screw in studs are a must.

"only good for .480 lift" What does that even mean?

"Screw in studs are a must." If this is true then why didn't GM put them in there from the factory and why are there countless 10-15 year old Vortec motors currently running around just fine without them?

[BonzoHansen]

Well, I suppose it depends on what he's looking to get out of it. This. Intended use, budget, etc.

I mean I could say buy some AFR 220s but if the car is a street car with an automatic that might suck a bit. lol

Does he want to change intakes?

[WildBillyT]

This. Intended use, budget, etc.

I mean I could say buy some AFR 220s but if the car is a street car with an automatic that might suck a bit. lol

Does he want to change intakes?

Intended use and budget all the way. Can't make a suggestion without that.
Off of the top of my head I'd say AFR 195's. :wink:


Also, are the fuelie heads numbers-matching?

[Slow Z]

This. Intended use, budget, etc.

I mean I could say buy some AFR 220s but if the car is a street car with an automatic that might suck a bit. lol

Does he want to change intakes?

Intended use and budget all the way. Can't make a suggestion without that.
Off of the top of my head I'd say AFR 195's. :wink:


Also, are the fuelie heads numbers-matching?

Have either of you used the respective AFR heads you recommend? Just curious...

[WildBillyT]

Have either of you used the respective AFR heads you recommend? Just curious...

Me? No. Seen a few "street" motors on the engine dyno that performed very well though. I was impressed with the performance given the cam sizes. Was a few years ago (4 or so?) though.

I did have an engine with fuelies, though, so I know what you can do with those.

Either way, gotta know what type of combo he wants before doing research and picking a head. I was using the smilie as I just pulled that head idea out of my ass.

[BonzoHansen]

no, I was trying to make a point about selecting heads w/o complete info. Note I did not recommend anything.

[sweetbmxrider]

Have either of you used the respective AFR heads you recommend? Just curious...

I have and I must say they are excellent at both propping doors open and keeping papers on my desk. The quality and craftsmanship can only be described as a art.

[mc73nova]

What are you looking to get out of the engine?

[Lt1_8U]

he just wanted to know if newer style heads would flow better, he is just trying to make decent power on a budget. he isnt trying to make as much power as possible, just a good flowing head.

on a side note, does anyone have any experience with the lt1 afr 227 heads? im building a 396 c.i lt1 and im in the market for some heads.

[Blackbirdws6]

he just wanted to know if newer style heads would flow better, he is just trying to make decent power on a budget. he isnt trying to make as much power as possible, just a good flowing head.

on a side note, does anyone have any experience with the lt1 afr 227 heads? im building a 396 c.i lt1 and im in the market for some heads.

Lot of guys use them for forced induction builds when going for big power. They have a lot of volume and flow pretty well.

[JL8Jeff]

he just wanted to know if newer style heads would flow better, he is just trying to make decent power on a budget. he isnt trying to make as much power as possible, just a good flowing head.

If the existing heads are 2.02 and 1.6 valves from the factory then they probably flow good enough for decent power. But everything else comes into the equation so it's a total guess without some type of power level goal.