Best Factory 350 Heads Ranked?

joze56 · 04-01-2009, 05:52:53 PM

I have a 1994 5.7 TBI block that I want to build into a mild street engine, to go in a 1960 2dr Belair. I will be using a 700R4 trans & about 3.78 rear gears. My question is: In order of best-to-worst, what used factory heads should I use for this engine, starting with vortecs, down to something I can afford? I will be using an aftermarket intake/carb, mild cam & HEI ignition. If possible, please rank your recommendation by Chevy casting #'s. Thanks for helping a novice!

hardline_42 · 04-01-2009, 05:55:41 PM

My only suggestion would be Vortecs. You can find them used for about $200. There aren't any other factory heads that will provide any siginificant improvements, IMO.

BondoSpecial · 04-01-2009, 05:56:17 PM

I don't know about ranking them, but if you are looking for Gen I heads, you definitely do not want to use the 193 truck swirl heads. The 083 TPI L98 heads from F bodies are cheap and plentiful and are about as good as factory gen I heads get, 64cc chambers, 1.94/1.5 valves, slightly under 200 cfms intake @ 0.500 lift. Should be able to find them for $100/pair no problem. Plus they are modern heads so you don't have to mess around w/ adding on hardened seats to camel hump heads or anything like that.

TooLateVTEC · 04-01-2009, 05:57:55 PM

For that build using only a factory head, it would without a doubt be Vortec heads.

Some of the worse are the TBI heads you have right now lol.

The Vortec #'s I cant remember, one of them is 0XX and the other is 9-0-6 I think...I know its 9-0-something.

www.mortec.com is a good place to look at different head casting #'s and a description of them.

hardline_42 · 04-01-2009, 05:59:15 PM

^^ 062? Check out the Vortec sticky for all the info you could ever want.

TooLateVTEC · 04-01-2009, 06:01:13 PM

062, yes thats it thanks for clearing it up for him...and me

joze56 · 04-01-2009, 07:13:15 PM

Thanks guys for the info.. I hear the vortecs tend to crack, is this rumor or fact? If they crack easily, I would not be comfortable putting on a "good" pair and worrying about "when they are going to crack". Comments?

pdq67 · 04-01-2009, 09:39:10 PM

Please look into the aftermarket RHS Vortec heads here!

pdq67

hardline_42 · 04-01-2009, 09:47:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joze56

Thanks guys for the info.. I hear the vortecs tend to crack, is this rumor or fact? If they crack easily, I would not be comfortable putting on a "good" pair and worrying about "when they are going to crack". Comments?

FWIW, I've had many pairs of Vortec heads on several different engines having undergone different levels of machining and never had any cracking, but I know some have had that experience, especially while tapping rocker stud bosses and other mods. They shouldn't crack with regular use.

pdq67 · 04-01-2009, 11:25:38 PM

Please read me again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good value is what I'm talking about long term here and I can squeeze a Buffalo nickel until it bellow's is all!

pdq67

rustbucket79 · 04-02-2009, 02:29:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joze56

Thanks guys for the info.. I hear the vortecs tend to crack, is this rumor or fact? If they crack easily, I would not be comfortable putting on a "good" pair and worrying about "when they are going to crack". Comments?

It is quite common to see them crack, but these are all stock applications. We have lots of hills in our neck of the woods, big temp swings, etc which can lead to cracking. In a properly tuned application in a car I would be very suprized to see one crack.

The RHS version looks very similar, and come with hardened seats and screw in studs. If you buy the large valve version, they are supposed to have both intake bolt patterns, something to think about if you're looking at vortecs. They aren't all that cheap mind you, lots of options out there in that price range.

joze56 · 04-02-2009, 02:58:28 AM

I appreciate the summary comments on the vortec "cracking" problem. My question now is: What is the next best factory head (non-vortec)? Thanks again for comments!

MyBoTy · 04-02-2009, 08:04:04 AM

I've torn down a ton of engines and the only vortec heads I've seen cracked came off of engines that had been significantly overheated.
If you can find a decent price on the RHS vortecs, grab 'em. They're thicker and are already machined for higher lift and screw-in studs. They are the best value, IMHO. My son has a set on a 383 in a Tahoe with an LT-4 cam, it's a runner!
To answer your question, there aren't any other factory heads that are in the same class with Vortecs.

joze56 · 04-02-2009, 02:47:20 PM

It looks like everybody is pointing at the vortecs. That will delay my project a while, until I save some more $'s. With stock vortecs, will I be able to run a good street cam without modifying to screw-in studs & milled guide bosses? I am only looking for 300-325 HP.

woody80z28 · 04-02-2009, 03:51:50 PM

I have press-in stud 062 Vortecs with a .480 lift cam and ~400hp. I beat the piss out of it all the time and never have issues.