What Is the Vortec Intake?

Vortec refers to a series of piston engines originally designed for General Motors trucks. The Voctec engine has specific needs for the engine intake manifold.

Vortex

Vortec engines use "vortex technology," a system that produces a vortex in the combustion chamber, which enables a better air/fuel mixture. The vortex creates a spiral motion, or spinning of the air/fuel mixture. The speed and rotation rate is greatest at the center and decreases progressively as the fluid gains distance from the center. This vortex increases displacement, or the total volume of fluid the engine can pull in during an engine cycle.

Intake Manifold

The Vortec intake manifold's function is to distribute the air/fuel mixture evenly between the cylinder heads. As opposed to the traditional 12 bolts per cylinder head, the Vortec head has eight bolts attached to the head in a different configuration.

Bolt Pattern

The intake bolt angle pattern, which affects such properties as air flow, on the vortec intake engine is 72 degrees as opposed to the more traditional 90 degrees. Vortec engines house eight bolts in a straight-lined configuration and utilizes outer bolts only as opposed to center bolts. This configuration also allows the spark plug to be centrally located in the chamber, enabling a kidney-shaped chamber design that promotes better combustion and thus, better engine performance.

References

• Chevy High Performance: Iron Vortec Head
• "GMC Light-Duty Trucks: An Enthusiast's Reference"; James K. Wagner; 2007

Resources

• "GM Engines: Gm Vortec Engine"; Books LLC; 2010