what's a good intake choice to use with vortec heads
i may wind up replacing mine due to stripped threads and what appears to be a crack near the t-stat housing

any and all advice is appreciated

 

Edelbrock makes a nice 4bbl intake that will work with the Vortec heads. Check out their site.

Massey

 

Your choices are pretty limited on what intakes you can use with Vortec heads. The Edelbrock is a good one, but in the higher price range. A friend of mine bought Summit's brand that he got for $129 for the dual plane street intake. They also sell a street/strip for $179. I'd go for the street version and save the $50 over the other or the Edelbrock.

 

which is supposed to be better single plane or dual plane

 

Both are good. Depends on what you want to do. Dual planes are good from off idle to around 5500, where open plenums are usually good from around 2200-6500. Little better lowend torque with a dual plane.

 

how did your friend like the summit brand intake

 

He loves it! Looks as good as anything I've seen. I'm sure it's made by one of the major makers, just like all the Summit brand stuff.

 

now i'm not so sure that i do have vortec heads
i was under the impression that vortecs DID NOT have center intake bolts
and mine has the center bolts for a total of 12 instead of 8 like i thought
if not vortec then what are they
what intake do i ned to get

 

You can't mistake Vortecs. Ribbed valve covers with center bolts. And btw, if you plan on doing more engine work in the future, get an open plenum. I have both dual plane and open and have used them both at different times on the same engine/carb and i preferre the open. Not enough loss on low end to complain but the difference in the mid/high range is huge. Still very streetable and usefull with further mods.

 

Oh ya, and vortecs heads have a different angle (straight up) with the 2 center intake bolts. Early heads have all the same angle.