Editing Vortec L31 cylinder head

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==Overview==
The L31 Chevy Vortec cylinder head is the best flowing production head for the Gen I SBC engine.

==Design limitations and modifications==
Based on info from Gary Penn, of GMPP:

Two years ago we undertook an exhaustive (no pun intended) study of the Vortec head in numerous modified states with different valve sizes, throat cuts, valve jobs, port mods, guide mods, etc. We used up about 10 heads, numerous valves, and about $50,000 worth of labor. The study generated 100+ pages of flow and swirl data, which I have at my desk. 

Here is the short version. Out of the box, 0.480” valve lift, 350-400 HP dependant on the CR, cam, ring seal, oil control, etc. 

More than 0.480” lift cut the guides down to clear the retainers.
 
Straight mill up to 0.060” safely, 0.080” with low CR of 10:1 or less. 0.100” is living on borrowed time. Always use flat top or dished pistons to enhance flame travel and intake swirl. 
Angle mill up to 1 degree (about 0.110” off the exhaust side, 0.000” off intake side) safely for about 12:1 CR with flat pistons with little valve relief. Angle mill to 2 degrees (about 0.200” off exhaust side) if you like to live on the edge- it has been done.
 
Larger valves increase flow, chamber mods not needed, trade off between shrouded verses unshrouded valves not worth the decrease in laminar flow and swirl.
 
Throat cutting behind larger valves compliments the larger valves. Open the throat to the seat then remove the edge left by the cutter in the port. 

Blend the seats into the chamber, you don't want an edge here to disrupt flow and create turbulence. "Bowl blend" and shortened guide in port also improves flow. Taper and blend the iron boss. Minimal porting increases flow, too much increase in port size or loss of the benefits of the shape of the stock port will decrease efficiency. 

Vortec heads (and most others) like straight stemmed valves. Undercut valves create unwanted turbulence and a decrease in intake charge velocity (they add volume- slowing the gases- to the overall "port" volume just behind the valve where max velocity is required). 

Generally speaking, Vortec's stall at between 0.500” and 0.550” valve lift. This is where flow actually begins to decrease. But their true strength is low lift flow which gives more area under the total flow curve. And if you think about it how long are your valves at peak lift? They spend much more time at 0.400” and below, where the Vortec’s outperform most other heads. This combined with high velocity, lack of turbulence and superior combustion chamber design are where the Vortec’s stand out.
 
Unported, with all the other tricks in place, the Vortec’s will flow about 235-240 CFM at 0.500” intake and 165-170 cfm at 0.500” exhaust, on a 4" bore at 28" H2O, with clay radiused port opening. With some careful porting there is another 5-10 CFM or so to be had. But again the low lift numbers are unsurpassed at 0.100”, 0.200”, 0.300”, etc. lift. For example the Vortec’s flow as much air at .400” as 0.500”, and no 23 degree head that I'm aware of can match them at 0.200”-0.300” lift for the combination of flow and swirl. Even the GM Fast Burn head can't touch them at low lift, its ports are too big (flow is similar, swirl is less), it does of course out perform them at lift over 0.500”.
 
Unported Vortec’s with the "tricks" can produce 500 HP on well built, high CR, drag race short block. 425-450 HP is more realistic for a killer street engine running on pump gas.
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==Valve guide boss modification==
[[File:VORTEC GUIDE BOSS MODIFIED.jpg]] <br style="clear:both"/>

==Pushrod guide holes==

[[File:Vortec head p-rod hole enlargement.jpg|thumb|Vortec head enlarging pushrod hole]]Vortec heads have a 7/16" round pushrod hole in the head, the earlier non self aligning rocker arm equipped heads have a 7/16" x 11/32" ovoid hole in them.

So what this means is three things- 

• W/o welding up the holes to form slots to provide side to side alignment, Vortec heads cannot be used w/non self aligning rockers unless guide plates are used. Can use guide holes, OR guide plates, OR self aligning rockers, but only ONE of the three.

• If using 1.6 ratio rockers, there's a chance the Vortec's 7/16" hole will not be long enough. A Lewis tool will not work, so the best bet is to use a drill bit larger than 7/16" to open the holes up. Most often a 1/2” bit is used, I would use only as much size as was needed, but 1/2” will work.

• If non self aligning rockers ARE used, they '''''must''''' be accompanied by guide plates.

==Aftermarket Vortec heads==
The listing for the GM Vortec heads sold by GMPP says in part:

Part number (NOT casting number) '''12558060''' Cast Iron Vortec Cylinder Head Assembly
• Completely assembled with 1.94”/1.50” valves
• Uses bare head 12529093
• 64cc combustion chamber
• Straight spark plugs
• No heat risers
• Requires Vortec specific intake manifold
• Camshafts with more than 0.475" lift require machining valve guide bosses and checking valve seal to valve spring retainer clearance
• Can be machined for 2.02"/1.60" valves

More [http://www.jrgmparts.com/GM_Performance_Parts/GM_Parts_Catalog/GM_Engine_Components/GM_Small_Block_Crate_Engine_Co/Cylinder_Heads_GM_Chevy_Small_/cylinder_heads_gm_chevy_small_.html HERE]. 


==Vehicles that came with the L31 head==
[[L31 cylinder head sources]]

==Recommended spark plugs==
The exact heat range depends on several factors. This is a guide that will get you in the ballpark. Carefully access the heat range before settleing on a plug for your particulat combination, fuel, and how the engine is used.

•AC Delco Rapid Fire Spark Plugs R44LTS 

•AC Delco Rapid Fire Spark Plugs MR43LTS 

•AC Delco Rapidfire No 3 Spark Plug
 
•ACCEL P526S U-Groove “SHORTY” Double Platinum (approximately 3/16″ shorter than AC R44LTS)
 
•ACCEL 516
 
•Autolite 26
 
•Autolite 104 

•Champion RS12YC 

•Bosch HR10B 

•Bosch HR10BX
 
•Bosch HR9DC

[[File:Vortec beehive.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Straight wound spring, Left; Beehive spring, right]]
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==Links==
*Nasty Z28.com forum thread, [http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56505 Vortec Cylinder Heads: The Definitive Guide]
*[http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/97458/index.html Iron Vortec Head All the Details You Need to Know] from the February, 2009 issue of ''Chevy High Performance''.

==Resources==
*[[Valve train points to check]]


[[Category:Engine]]