Should i go with vortec heads.. or just machine and maybe trick out my old tbi heads.

[Dubb1234]

has anyone done the swap from to tbi heads to vortec heads.. is the swap really worth the headache.. ive heard u have to change the intake, and to run the egr you have to get new exhaust manifold for the left side and possibly run burn a new chip to match your upgrades to make it idle right.. Well im thinking to save money i could just redo my old tbi heads and get bigger valves or something and gain the same extra 40 to 50 hp ive been told the vortec heads can add... O and does anybody have any sugestions for a good towing cam. I dont want the lift to be to much i still want to use the factory computer settings if possible

i am in the process of building my motor for my truck. I am building my new motor outside the truck so it can be a very easy swap. heres what i have so far 355 motor ( 350 bore 30 over) 4bolt main new everything eagle crank,new rod an main bearings cam bearing freeze plugs new flat top 9:6.1 pistons new rings new 2 pc timing cover double timing chain has a new oil pan an pump hi volume wit arp stud bolt..... now"The Motor Only needs a Top End too run and cam of my choice. its a 3970014 block"never been ran....

[94_c/1500]

The intake has to be changed unless you really want to do a lot of work. I've seen pictures of what it takes, unless you're running a V6 and want a better selection of intakes, just use an aftermarket carb intake for Vortecs with a TBI adapter.

I can't tell you much about the EGR work needed, but unless you have to do emission testing, you don't need EGR.

Regardless of which route of head selection you take, a burnt chip is pretty much required for best performance.

No amount of work will make TBI heads flow as good as Vortecs, I know this for a fact. I've personally flow tested an old drag racing head. It was a double hump with some serious porting, epoxy in the intake ports, and was brazed for filler in the exhaust ports. It flowed about the same as a stock Vortec. If you do want to do get your TBI heads worked and you have some extra money to play with, I suggest a 5 angle valve job on the intake, radius on the exhaust, 1.60 and 2.02 valves, pocket porting, gasket matching, deshroud the valves, and .502 bronze guides. Actually, I suggest doing this to the Vortecs if you get them instead.

Cam is up to you, but EFI engines like small cams. And again, get a chip made for your truck. From what I understand even a stock truck can benefit from a good chip.

[Doober]

Changing to Vortecs would be a good step performance wise, you will quickly hit a ceiling with TBI heads unless they're professionally ported.

[ChevyC1500]

I did a swap from TBI heads to vortec heads. It upped my compression and i can tell the vortec heads flow a lot better than the TBI heads. I used edlebrock RPM carb style manifold with a lunati hydraulic cam 262/268. Im still running my TBI with a adapter to the manifold. runs pretty good.

[ChevyLs1z]

Vortec heads are very good heads but machined heads can perform very well also (I don't know about tbi but same idea I suppose)

[Doober]

TBI heads won't flow as well as a stock Vortec head unless you have a pro port them, or know how to yourself... then you're still running a head capable of a stock Vortec head.