Are all center bolt heads Vortec?
No, not all center bolt heads are Vortec. The Vortec design is a specific type of center bolt head used in some General Motors (GM) engines, but there are other types of center bolt heads used in various automotive applications.
What is a Center Bolt Head?
A center bolt head is a type of cylinder head design where the spark plugs and fuel injectors are located in the center of the cylinder head, rather than along the sides. This design allows for a more compact and efficient engine layout. Center bolt heads are commonly used in modern engines, including those produced by GM, Ford, and other automakers.
What is the Vortec Design?
The Vortec design is a specific type of center bolt head used in some GM engines, particularly in their small-block V8 engines. The Vortec design features a unique combustion chamber shape and fuel injector placement that helps to improve fuel efficiency and power output. Vortec engines are known for their improved performance and fuel economy compared to earlier GM engine designs.
Other Types of Center Bolt Heads
While the Vortec design is a popular type of center bolt head, there are other designs used in various automotive applications. Some examples include:
- Ford's Modular engine design, which uses a center bolt head with a different combustion chamber shape and fuel injector placement.
- Chrysler's Hemi engine design, which also uses a center bolt head with a unique combustion chamber shape.
- Various other engine designs from other automakers, each with their own unique center bolt head configurations.
So in summary, while the Vortec design is a specific type of center bolt head used in some GM engines, not all center bolt heads are Vortec. There are many different center bolt head designs used in the automotive industry, each with their own unique characteristics and performance attributes.
Are Vortec and LS heads the same?
While the performance car engines carried the LS designation, those designed for trucks and SUVs were given the Vortec name . The biggest difference between the Vortec engines and their car cousins was the use of iron blocks (mostly), and the fact that they were often smaller in displacement.
Are Vortec heads center bolt?
The Vortec heads use center-bolt valve covers, and the bolt pattern and angle of the intake manifold surface are different. Other than that, everything else should work fine. The Vortec heads should actually help the earlier engine breathe easier and pick up a decent amount of power.
What is the difference between Vortec and standard heads?
Because of the extra metal, the old style heads seem to be less prone to heating problems. The newer Vortec heads have a lot cleaner castings and less material, but the cooling system needs to be adequate. “Vortecs are so much more improved and better,” said Derek Ranney of L & R Engines.
When did GM start using Vortec heads?
Vortec Heads
They were first used in GM trucks and vans starting in 1966. The L31 GM Vortec heads just weren't simply upgrades to existing heads, and these were a total reinvention based on the 1996 Caprice/Impala SS LT1 cast-iron head castings.
What is so special about Vortec heads?
Stock Vortec heads come with pressed-in 3/8-inch rocker studs and do not use guideplates. The rocker arms are guided (also called "rail" rockers) and employ a pair of guides or rails that center the rocker arm over the valve. This eliminates the need for pushrod guideplates.
How much HP do Vortec heads add to a 350?
We were hoping for about 420 hp from the 9.5:1 compression 355 and were pleasantly surprised when our budget-build Vortec 350 made a consistent 430 hp over and over again.
When did Chevy switch to Vortec heads?
Its introduction was in 1996, but GM's new-generation engine later supplanted it in 1999. Chevrolet makes use of small block Chevy Vortec heads, entirely assembled using 1.940 /1.500 valves. Why Chevy 706 Heads LS Make a Great Choice? Are 862 Heads a Better Choice?
When did GM go to center bolt valve covers?
In 1987, another round of changes were made, this time to the top of the engine. Engine now has Center Bolt valve covers (Figure D), and the intake manifold bolt angle has changed on the four center intake bolts, thus making all previous intakes not applicable to the 1987-1997 Engines.
What is the difference between LS and Vortec heads?
Engines with the LS designation were typically set up for passenger car duty while the Vortec line was for GM's SUV and truck lines. In other words, the difference is in the marketing and where the various engines were going to be used across the GM brands.
When did GM stop using the 14 bolt?
Up until 1994, GM manufactured the 14-bolt in-house. Post 1994, the 14-bolt was built by American Axle & Manufacturing. While the 14-bolt can still be found under many late-model GM 2500HD gas trucks and Suburbans, most '01-and-newer ¾- and 1-ton diesel trucks use the AAM 1150 rear axle.
