882 heads
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
882 heads
Hi, I'm gonna be building an engine somewhat soon. It's gonna be a 355. I'm looking to make at least 350 hp, but I'd like the torque to be a bit more. I'd also like it to have some low end power, since my rear gears are so high. One of my friends says he'll give me his 882 heads for $300. They've already got a valve job, and the valves are 2.02 intake, 1.6 exhaust, so they're bigger than stock. Would these heads be worth the money, and get me to my power goals? This is also gonna be a budget build. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
What pistons are you running? The 882 heads have 76cc combustion chambers. If you don't match the pistons to the heads, you could end up with a very low compression ratio and a disappointing amount of power. I agree that a set of aluminum heads for a bit more money would be a better investment, but it you're intent on the 882s, I have a set of fairly new ones lying around my garage that you can have for the cost of shipping.
Last edited by LB66383; Feb 4, 2014 at 01:15 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
When I was looking into heads for our 79, I was advised against them. The reasons I was given were #1 there are prone to cracks, #2 they were called smog heads. My interpretation of that was they were designed more for emissions than horsepower. Even though the valve size is impressive, there are better alternatives.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 14
From: LaMoille Illinois
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 14
From: LaMoille Illinois
if your 355 is gonna have flat top pistons (no dome) go with a 64-67 cc head and bump your compresson ratio to 9.5-10:1 it will make a big differance also the heads are like the lungs for your engine the better it can breath the better/faster it will run.
the best money you can spend on an engine build is in the cam and heads
the best money you can spend on an engine build is in the cam and heads
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 14
From: LaMoille Illinois
you dont need aluminum that is basicly to shave fractions of a second for drag cars etc.. yea they look cool but dont actually preform any better than cast heads jmho
i found a good combo for street engines is 355 with flat tops a comp cam 280 magnum cam and lifters, a good set of heads like world or dart or patriot.
these are a good head for the money!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/sb-sbc-Chevy-Chevrolet-67cc-World-Products-SR-Performance-Heads-2-02-1-60-042660-/151224676916?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2335b17234&vxp=mtr#ht_272wt_916
i found a good combo for street engines is 355 with flat tops a comp cam 280 magnum cam and lifters, a good set of heads like world or dart or patriot.
these are a good head for the money!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/sb-sbc-Chevy-Chevrolet-67cc-World-Products-SR-Performance-Heads-2-02-1-60-042660-/151224676916?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2335b17234&vxp=mtr#ht_272wt_916
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 152
From: norway
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,303
Likes: 14
From: Lynn MA
um all over the 'auction site'
I was mistaken, $599 shipped....haha
actually these are newly listed, have seen same before for $650...if the 882's were rebuilt, ready to go, I could see throwing them on for $200 but not a penny more, they are not worth spending any money on IMHO. That being said, years ago, when the aftermarket heads were not attainable for such cheap prices, we did a set up as I had springs, they went on my friends 383 8.75 to 1 or so SBC in a 87 GTA, he went 12.80s with 3.27 gears! Many of the early SBC performance books refer to them as a 'mild or moderate performance head'
Here is an 882 top and a later model 305 head on the bottom, see the orange arrows, that is where material is missing, making these lightweight heads. I do not think they made the 882 in a lightweight version. Of what I understand, many of the 882's are an exact copy of the 881's which were used in Corvettes I believe and had 1.60 and 2.02 valves.
Here is some more information from a forum:
"Not all late 882 heads were created equal. Many LATE 74 Z28 and Corvette L-82 applications used a Hi performance cast version of the 882 head . True, Most early 882's were equipped with 1.94 intake valves and low rpm valve train. BUT... I have in fact seen & owned them Cast as 882 exact same head as a 881 , late 74 882 issues had the good thick iron casting , high speed valve train and 2.02 valves, hardened valve seats all FACTORY INSTALLED . These will run the higher RPMs easy and can be ported to make even more HP with little work.....at an afordable cost. Al Covin 's book CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS notes/verifies this oddity of the 881 & 882 Castings being excactly the same late in the 1974 year . Just sold an extra set of the good 2.02 /882 cast heads . Many times the nicer HP 882 heads can be picked up cheap as people don't realize which version they have."
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sbc-Small-Block-Chevy-Aluminum-Heads-210cc-64cc-350-head-Pro-Series-/310865236268?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item486103112c&vxp=mtr
I was mistaken, $599 shipped....haha
actually these are newly listed, have seen same before for $650...if the 882's were rebuilt, ready to go, I could see throwing them on for $200 but not a penny more, they are not worth spending any money on IMHO. That being said, years ago, when the aftermarket heads were not attainable for such cheap prices, we did a set up as I had springs, they went on my friends 383 8.75 to 1 or so SBC in a 87 GTA, he went 12.80s with 3.27 gears! Many of the early SBC performance books refer to them as a 'mild or moderate performance head'
Here is an 882 top and a later model 305 head on the bottom, see the orange arrows, that is where material is missing, making these lightweight heads. I do not think they made the 882 in a lightweight version. Of what I understand, many of the 882's are an exact copy of the 881's which were used in Corvettes I believe and had 1.60 and 2.02 valves.
Here is some more information from a forum:
"Not all late 882 heads were created equal. Many LATE 74 Z28 and Corvette L-82 applications used a Hi performance cast version of the 882 head . True, Most early 882's were equipped with 1.94 intake valves and low rpm valve train. BUT... I have in fact seen & owned them Cast as 882 exact same head as a 881 , late 74 882 issues had the good thick iron casting , high speed valve train and 2.02 valves, hardened valve seats all FACTORY INSTALLED . These will run the higher RPMs easy and can be ported to make even more HP with little work.....at an afordable cost. Al Covin 's book CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS notes/verifies this oddity of the 881 & 882 Castings being excactly the same late in the 1974 year . Just sold an extra set of the good 2.02 /882 cast heads . Many times the nicer HP 882 heads can be picked up cheap as people don't realize which version they have."
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sbc-Small-Block-Chevy-Aluminum-Heads-210cc-64cc-350-head-Pro-Series-/310865236268?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item486103112c&vxp=mtr
Last edited by BOSTONCAMARO; Feb 4, 2014 at 11:16 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,303
Likes: 14
From: Lynn MA
you get the picture...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMALL-BLOCK-CHEVY-GM-SBC-350-ALUMINUM-CYLINDER-HEADS-210cc-w-550-Lift-Springs-/380802716745?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a99c5449&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMALL-BLOCK-CHEVY-GM-SBC-350-ALUMINUM-CYLINDER-HEADS-210cc-w-550-Lift-Springs-/380802716745?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a99c5449&vxp=mtr
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
head technology has a come a long way in the last 30 years. I don't know why anyone would use those heads for a performance build when decent heads are so inexpensive now.
you can get used Vortec heads for the same price.
you can get used Vortec heads for the same price.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Holts Summit MO.
You don't need alu. heads. You also don't need big ports. World products makes some good cast iron heads for what you are wanting to do. I would stay away from the 882's. Bigger isn't always better, in fact for the street and if you are wanting low end torque STAY away from too big on the ports.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,303
Likes: 14
From: Lynn MA
basically port size, runners etc higher volume goes along with higher compression, bigger cams, higher rpm operating range
personally I would go with aluminum, in theory, they will make a bit more power due to its heat dissipation properties, less apt to detonate based on that and they are lighter and you can tell everyone you have aluminum heads! haha
A good cam, 10 to 1 compression and a pair of heads like the 190cc ones on the 'auction site' I don't think you will be disappointed as I think it will be a strong running street car, everyone has their own opinion, yet none of us are wrenching on John Force's car.
These would be great, being 180cc, but they are bare and also are more money, I think you would be fine with the 190cc heads I posted earlier.
personally I would go with aluminum, in theory, they will make a bit more power due to its heat dissipation properties, less apt to detonate based on that and they are lighter and you can tell everyone you have aluminum heads! haha
A good cam, 10 to 1 compression and a pair of heads like the 190cc ones on the 'auction site' I don't think you will be disappointed as I think it will be a strong running street car, everyone has their own opinion, yet none of us are wrenching on John Force's car.
These would be great, being 180cc, but they are bare and also are more money, I think you would be fine with the 190cc heads I posted earlier.
Last edited by BOSTONCAMARO; Feb 4, 2014 at 12:01 PM.