highest compression with aluminum heads.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
highest compression with aluminum heads.
I posted this topic on engine mods but nobodys replying maybe somebody can lend an idea on this ..i need to know what the highest compression you can run on 93 octane with aluminum heads....heres what in the 350 right now standard bore L48 stock crank polished rods,trw forged 11.1 pistons(lt1 replacements)pistons 28 in the hole 41 thousandths head gasket motor now has 76cc junk heads cam is energizer 274 218 dur.450 lift 106 ls.probably going to put the solid lift cam back in when i get the heads...performer intake but getting rpm air gap intake holley 750 hei dist.with advanced recurved....ya think i can go to 64cc edelbrock rpm heads or dart sportsman 2's and it wont ping?Or should i go with 70cc to be safe...im going to use then on my other motor too but ill decide what pistons too use then.....by the way timing is up to 16 right now and no ping.but these heads are killing it... :chevy 406 is on hold right now...wanna order as soon as i can so while the wife says i can :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: highest compression with aluminum heads. (pats406nitrovette)
Several magazines have said 9.5 cast iron and 10.5 aluminum. Just a thought, you may want to consider a thinner head gasket to get a quench nearer 035.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 1
From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: highest compression with aluminum heads. (pats406nitrovette)
When I was talking modifications with my engine guy he suggested not to go over 10.75 for the street and that's with my aluminum DragonSlayers. Last years c/r was 9.9 and I never once heard it ping even when I was forced to once use 87 octane fuel.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: highest compression with aluminum heads. (Stingy74)
My brother in law is running 11.2 to 1 with Alum heads. He has some pinging when just using gas. He usually runs some additive and then no problem. The car will run OK without it you just have to crank the timing back a little. Its a 421 ci small block running around 600 hp with a large roller cam. I am running right around 10.1 with a solid cam and never have any problems. I am even going to try regular gas wit hhis setup. I would stick to around 10.5 to 1 to be safe. :D
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Re: highest compression with aluminum heads. (Stingy74)
I have read just about every small block engine building book out there and had more than my fair share of education from would be experts. Hear is what the lot of them say. For an iron headed engine 9-1 compression is the most you should push. For an aluminum headed engine 10-1 is the most compression you should run. I chose 10-1 for my forged pistons and Edlebrock Performer RPM heads 70cc chambers. One thing you might consider is that not all gas is of the same quality. If you are conserned about detonation get the MSD timing control module. With the turn of the dial you can advance or retard timing up to 15 degrees to allow for changes in gas, weather conditions, and alitutde. Cheap piece of insurance for your soon to be 406. Unless you want butter with your flap jack melted pistons LOL. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Re: highest compression with aluminum heads. (ScubaJKD)
yeah i have a msd timing control but havent installed in this vette yet but soon...thanks guys ill try to keep it around 10 to1 so i guess the 70cc are my best choice....
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Re: highest compression with aluminum heads. (pats406nitrovette)
I currently have the Edelbrock Aluminum 70cc heads and 10.1 compression. Make sure you measure the heads, mine were actually 70.6cc. :chevy
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 955
Likes: 0
From: Mundelein,Illinois,USA
Re: highest compression with aluminum heads. (pats406nitrovette)
I have a BB and went with EDL ALum Oval Port Heads with AirGap Intake, insulator, L88 hood with fresh air - my final CR is 10.1 . I use nothing but 93 octane and get no pinging even under WOT. I do believe the AirGap Intake with Fresh AIr helps alot with ping avoidance as the motor is recieving a cooler gas/air charge. My inital timing is at 14 and im going to bump it to 16.
Dave :conehead
Dave :conehead
