Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

A

Anarchy99

New member
Sorry, I feel like I'm that guy for asking but I kinda sorta tried to search(not every combo, etc) and I was wondering, is it worth the cost and everything else to go from L35 heads to Vortec heads...
Back story.
Planning the rebuild, but also planning bigger turbo(pte67ish) size, supporting mods. Just wondering if it was worth putting the money into the vortecs when I'm pulling the engine or just keep the L35s. Thanks in advance.
 
Jimmy

Jimmy

Banned
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

Anarchy99 said:
Sorry, I feel like I'm that guy for asking but I kinda sorta tried to search(not every combo, etc) and I was wondering, is it worth the cost and everything else to go from L35 heads to Vortec heads...
Back story.
Planning the rebuild, but also planning bigger turbo(pte67ish) size, supporting mods. Just wondering if it was worth putting the money into the vortecs when I'm pulling the engine or just keep the L35s. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


That's like asking if you'd like a chick with big tits or small tits.

Thar bigass turbo would like some big ole titties.
 
It's just a six

It's just a six

Super Member
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

If passing smog testing legally is a concern, the Vortecs will not do it, unless you rig up some EGR tubing & hooking it up.
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

Anarchy99 said:
Sorry, I feel like I'm that guy for asking but I kinda sorta tried to search(not every combo, etc) and I was wondering, is it worth the cost and everything else to go from L35 heads to Vortec heads...
Back story.
Planning the rebuild, but also planning bigger turbo(pte67ish) size, supporting mods. Just wondering if it was worth putting the money into the vortecs when I'm pulling the engine or just keep the L35s. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

With a bigger turbo like pte67, a big YES!
 
A

Anarchy99

New member
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

No smog to worry about... Just wondering if it was worth the hassle. Just in case it's ever searched after this, any idea what the possible power difference is between the 2? Apples to apples, just swap heads and the obvious modded intake
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

Anarchy99 said:
That's pretty substantial
Click to expand...

Yup, that is why I recommend Vortec if someone is going to swap heads/cam. If you wanted even bigger gains, the Brodix heads flow quite a bit more than the Vortec, but they are much more expense and they require different intake and exhaust manifold mods/changes. Brodix unported are probably worth another 50hp alone based on air flow.

Quickstop [UK] said:
Search for Tooky's thread on his vortec swap. Covers it all.
Click to expand...

On Tooky's website you will notice that his timeslips ET and MPH don't indicate a 75hp gain between stock motor and Vortec Heads/Cam. His best timeslips indicate a 0.4 and 4mph gains for Vortec Head/Cam swap. There are two reason for this.

-His mph dropped by about 2mph when he rebuilt his transmission and change Torque converters. His ET stayed about the same but he was running closer to 112mph on the stockheads/cam just before he did the Vortec Swap.

-His boost went from 23-24psi to 17-18psi because his turbo wasn't able to provide enough air due to the additional air flow of the Vortec Heads/Cam.
 
A

Anarchy99

New member
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

I'll plan on the vortecs... I won't need the brodix heads on this project, but the vortecs seem like a no brainer!!! I didn't realize it was that substantial. Would you guys recommend porting them or just leave them as is?
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

Anarchy99 said:
I'll plan on the vortecs... I won't need the brodix heads on this project, but the vortecs seem like a no brainer!!! I didn't realize it was that substantial. Would you guys recommend porting them or just leave them as is?
Click to expand...

For return on investment I would leave them as is. Maybe a better valve (not bigger) and a 3 angle valve job. I had mine fully ported by turbotime with bigger valves. My gains were about 15cfm on the intake and 20cfm on the exhaust side. Tooky did his own DIY porting and gain 0 cfm. RPM flow numbers are similar to turbotime. (I think slight more intake cfm, slightly less exhaust). For the cost of porting the Vortec is starts getting close to cost of Brodix heads, Vortec flow enough air to exceed the limitations of the stock block.

Here is some approx intake flow numbers for reference. (These are off the top of my head but I did have my ported heads and stock Vortec heads flowed at a local shop).

LB4 - 158
L35 - 172
L31 - 225
Ported - 240
Brodix - 280
 
Priceless

Priceless

New member
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

Hey Dave correct me if im wrong but i thought the Brodix -8 were able to use the stock manifold.
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

Priceless said:
Hey Dave correct me if im wrong but i thought the Brodix -8 were able to use the stock manifold.
Click to expand...

I think you can modify the lower intake similar to Vortecs. I am honestly not a very good source of information aftermarket heads like the Brodix -8. It was beyond the hp level I wanted for my truck, so I haven't researched them, beside what I have casually read on the forum over the years.
 
H

HiNoon

New member
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

Great info.Would you be able to add to that and know if atr headers need mods to work with the brodex heads.Oh and what spark plug setups needed.Straight or angled.I'm thinking with the 4l80 mod finished the old truck may want more grunt..thanks tj
 
Z SKI

Z SKI

Donating Member
Re: Worth going from L35 to Vortec heads?

Yo Aaron... Got any pics with plugs and plug boots on?? I heard its uberclose to the exhaust manifolds?? If not, I'm bummed I spent $1800 on headers that don't fit all that well..
 
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