I'm looking to beef up my motor, and looking for suggestions. I'm going to get a set of new Vortec heads from GM and start from there, anyone been there and have any cam suggestions, intake, carb? I want a good driver, that I can drive anywhere, but would love to have more ponys:confused
Top end rebuild
- Thread starter Tweek
- Start date
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Blue82
Guest
Tweek, I just built up a motor that was modeled on Chevy Hi-performance.com using Vortec heads.
My modds are:
350 bored .030 over, L31 Vortec heads, lightweight pistons, ARP rod bolts, CompCams XE262-4 cam w/springs and roller tip rockers, Performer RPM intake, 454 TBI, Flowmaster exhaust, gutted cat., headers, heated O2 Sensor, 3.73 Dana rearend.
I had the studs pulled from the heads and tapped for screw in studs, but it probably wasn't necessary. You will need a little machine work done to install the springs though.
Also, the engine they built used the Compcams XE268 and they recommended the XE262 for a slightly milder combo for more torque and less RPM necessary for a good launch.
I really like the combination and it was only the second strongest out of seven combinations and this is in a daily driver.
Look at http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/ under their best article section, then drivetrain. I think the article was "Seven Spicy Combos for Power".
Good luck
My modds are:
350 bored .030 over, L31 Vortec heads, lightweight pistons, ARP rod bolts, CompCams XE262-4 cam w/springs and roller tip rockers, Performer RPM intake, 454 TBI, Flowmaster exhaust, gutted cat., headers, heated O2 Sensor, 3.73 Dana rearend.
I had the studs pulled from the heads and tapped for screw in studs, but it probably wasn't necessary. You will need a little machine work done to install the springs though.
Also, the engine they built used the Compcams XE268 and they recommended the XE262 for a slightly milder combo for more torque and less RPM necessary for a good launch.
I really like the combination and it was only the second strongest out of seven combinations and this is in a daily driver.
Look at http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/ under their best article section, then drivetrain. I think the article was "Seven Spicy Combos for Power".
Good luck
- Thread starter
- #3
Blue 82, thanks I'll check it out! Did your car have that 3.73 rear or did you purchase it? How much if you did? Did you use stock ratio rockers, and push rods on those heads. Did it all fit under the hood? Did your headers fit without mods? What kind?:SANTA
B
Blue82
Guest
You probably have already found the tech article, but if you haven't it is under the topic engine, 7 spicy combos, and I built up the medium rare mouse. The site was down last time so I couldn't verify the path.
I installed the 3.73 differential and bought it from Mid America for about $650. You can do it cheaper if you buy the gear set and install themyourself, or probably even if you have a shop do it and you put the differential back in. That's what I would do if I had to do it again.
I used the stock ratio rockers and CompCams has a roller tip that is self aligning so you won't need hte machine work or guide plates for the push rods. I bought the stock push rods rods for the Vortec heads.
Look at this site:
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Cylinder_Heads/Vortec.html
You can get all the part numbers and available products that you need. I bought my heads and several other parts from Sallee and they work real well with you.
The headers came on the car and appear to be generic so I don't have any info there.
As far as the fit, I used the 7116 Performer intake which is the hi-rise because I wanted to raise my max RPM to better match the rearend. It all fits under the stock hood by removing the rubber seal in the hood for the stock air cleaner, using a 3" thick aircleaner, and modifying the hold down screw. I think the aircleaner is 7 or 9 inches in diameter.
I put the 454 injectors back in (was running 350 injectors) and it really woke up the top end power. I lost torque on the bottom end, but when I start tuning the chip, I can lean it out and get it back.
I installed the 3.73 differential and bought it from Mid America for about $650. You can do it cheaper if you buy the gear set and install themyourself, or probably even if you have a shop do it and you put the differential back in. That's what I would do if I had to do it again.
I used the stock ratio rockers and CompCams has a roller tip that is self aligning so you won't need hte machine work or guide plates for the push rods. I bought the stock push rods rods for the Vortec heads.
Look at this site:
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Cylinder_Heads/Vortec.html
You can get all the part numbers and available products that you need. I bought my heads and several other parts from Sallee and they work real well with you.
The headers came on the car and appear to be generic so I don't have any info there.
As far as the fit, I used the 7116 Performer intake which is the hi-rise because I wanted to raise my max RPM to better match the rearend. It all fits under the stock hood by removing the rubber seal in the hood for the stock air cleaner, using a 3" thick aircleaner, and modifying the hold down screw. I think the aircleaner is 7 or 9 inches in diameter.
I put the 454 injectors back in (was running 350 injectors) and it really woke up the top end power. I lost torque on the bottom end, but when I start tuning the chip, I can lean it out and get it back.
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