Vortec head swap cost

[cheebs]

i have to replace my tbi and was asking about other engines and was told the best thing for my price range was to just replace the tbi and that's what ill do. but i was thinking after that i would do the vortec head swap. so i start reading threads about it and it seems like people were saying that it could not be done for under 2000$ with all the odds and ends. is this a real world cost? i would think at that price you could get great aftermarket heads for cheaper without having to change the manifold? sr torquer heads

 

[Horns]

No, that's not true. Even if you pick up a set of Vortec heads at a yard for $200 or less, pay $300 to have the heads freshened up, buy the GMPP manifold for $350, and the new gaskets you need for $75, you're only at just over $900, and those prices are VERY high. Vortec heads could easily be done for under $500, or even less if you freshen up the heads yourself.

 

[TylerZ281500]

freshen the heads yourself, use a carb manifold will save you a few bucks and convert to tbi adapter. not alot but a few nickels and dimes. im assuming we are doing a full rebuild? timing chain and all your bearings and gaskets would have to be redone. i wouldnt bother with vortec heads unless i was doing a healthy cam swap in return, and while i was at it id do my headers. youll have to take the block/heads to a shop have them decked, fluxed bored, balanced. i got away without magnufluxing or hot tanking my engine when i did my 383.

 

[cheebs]

as far as the engine i will ether have it rebuilt or one of those summit long blocks. the vortecs are for later.

 

[96-1500]

No, that's not true. Even if you pick up a set of Vortec heads at a yard for $200 or less, pay $300 to have the heads freshened up, buy the GMPP manifold for $350, and the new gaskets you need for $75, you're only at just over $900, and those prices are VERY high. Vortec heads could easily be done for under $500, or even less if you freshen up the heads yourself.

This. For lack of a better description, if you are getting it done for 2 grand you are getting hosed, bad. Just sayin'

 

[TylerZ281500]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dart-Pair-1...Parts_Accessories&hash=item53f2b24cf3&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-CHEVY-V...Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf5aa2fda&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trans-Dapt-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5651fa5ef0&vxp=mtr

(just for educational purposes) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-C...Parts_Accessories&hash=item589a6d0852&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Summit-Raci...Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d087d4de1&vxp=mtr

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g6600

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fem-csmhp761-300/overview/make/chevrolet

theres 4 minutes of searching.

dont take those are the bible just rough guesses but you can find things for cheaper than youd expect, do the work yourself and youll save more. that cam is close to what i run i just saw it and posted it, operating rang on mine is around 2000-2500 so an s10 stall was perfect for mine.

if you need rods and a crank then yea youll have more into it, but even with all that the possibility of more than 290hp and the accomplishment of doing it all yourself is worth it.