350 vortec heads or darton heads

[DuramaxM3]

I know that the darton heads are new technology and flow better but they are going to cost be 1200 plus tax or I can pay 150 for vortec heads ready to go. I'm building a 400 sb am I really going to notice a big difference between the 2 ? Like to hear your opinions. Thanks

[Kenfuzed]

I'm no expert but the cost difference alone would have me spending the difference on other stuff for my truck.

BTW, I have the vortec heads on my 350 and they are just fine for me... but I don't have any way to compare them to anything else.

[Captainfab]

I assume you are talking about Dart heads? Dart makes several different small block heads, which ones are you looking at? I would be leary of a set of Vortec heads that are 'ready to go' for only $150.00. A decent valve job alone is a bit more than that.

Regardless of which heads you go with, they will have to have the steam holes drilled for use on a SB400.

[DuramaxM3]

Yes dart heads im new to this lol

[LVPhotos]

Why Dart? Lot of good heads out there. I looked at a set of World iron heads that are specifically made for larger displacement engine 383 +,not 283-400. Price for what you get. There are top end kits that are nicely priced not more than heads. Then you get everything to swap and a idea of power. Lot of magazines did builds on these engines, some with AFE aluminum heads and low compression. Google is your Friend finding this info.
World heads for me.

[DuramaxM3]

The reason I said dart is because the engine shop that is building the 400 sells dart, just figured it would be easier to let them do what they do.

[LVPhotos]

If they build em then let em do their magic. They got #s. My guys gave me a "mild" version of their race car.

[KJSR]

I have vortec heads on ALL of my SBC's. They work great for the $. Keep in mind you will have to use the late intake and center bolt valve covers.

[chevyrestoguy]

What are the specs on your engine? Cam, carb size, compression, and rear gear are all important aspects in deciding what heads to use. If you're building your 400 to be a low and mid range torque monster, go with the Vortecs. If you want a mid range to upper rpm engine, go with the Darts. Just remember that if you go with Vortecs, you'll need to buy a Vortec-specific intake. No big deal, but you need to know this. I have seen guys try to modify Gen 1 intakes to work with Vortecs, and the port mismatch is so bad that it robs horsepower.

Vortecs are probably the best bang for the buck in cylinder heads. They work great, but there are a couple of things you must do to them to make them a performance cylinder head. The valve guide bosses are tall, and only allow a max of around .420 lift. There are cutter tools you can buy that will mill the guides down and you can go with a .525 lift easily. You will have to change the valve seals and go with a spring that matches your cam. If this work isn't within your skill level, check out the Vortecs made by Enginequest. They sell their own version of the Vortec with all of the trick mods, and they have a dual bolt pattern for the valve covers that will allow you to run the old style (non centetbolt) valve covers.

[DuramaxM3]

Man thanks for the info, a low tourqe monster is what my goal is, I honestly dont have a clue on V8 engine parts I come from a bmw era when I owned a highly modified M3 so this is all new to me, I dont want to empty my wallet just on what my engine builder says, but with saying that I need someone to lean too this is where is forum is its best.

[DuramaxM3]

I will have a spec on the motor with what they are recommending later this week and I will post it to see what you guys think.