which way shall i go...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
which way shall i go...
i 'll have a few thou soon to spend on the 71 BB 4 spd 3.70 rear soon. the only mods i've done is hedman 1 7/8 headers and chambered exhaust. i have a voodoo cam 60402 and a cloyes dbl roller timing set here to put in. my next investment would like to be a good set of heads and comparable intake for the q-jet. now before i redo the top end, i'm wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea to have the bottom freshened up a bit and increase the compression. the odometer has 105,000 on it but the bottom end was replaced by the first owner when the car was under warranty way back when. the last i checked the compression was around 150-175 on all cylinders. let me hear some opinions from ya'll on the best heads and intake for this combo and if i should get the bottom redone also.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
I was told that the bottom end was like the foundation of the house. If it isnt't strong the rest of the house will fall. In other words, it is probably worth it to check into what the bottom end was rebuilt with (factory, aftermarket, brand?). As far as heads go, I have heard a lot of good stuff about AFR, supposed to be the best I guess. I like Weind intakes also. Others with more knowledge will be able to chime in with #'s for you. Good luck with whatever you do and keep us posted! Pictures are 
for all of us members too enjoy if you can post when your done.
for all of us members too enjoy if you can post when your done.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
A lot depends on what cam and heads you are going with. If you are gong to build a lot of HP and spin it 6K+ rpms a lot you might want to look into the bottom end. The BB Chevy bottom end is pretty tough even in standard form. Mild cam and some decent heads should put you at 500 HP and the bottom end should hold up fine if the rings and bearings are in good shape.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
the cam is a lunati voodoo 60202 with 530/542 lift 219/227 at .50 and 262/268 advertised duration with a 112 lobe sep. what would be a good head for that cam. looking at afr or brodix race head. what kinda hp might i be looking at.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Originally Posted by 71redskin
the cam is a lunati voodoo 60202 with 530/542 lift 219/227 at .50 and 262/268 advertised duration with a 112 lobe sep. what would be a good head for that cam. looking at afr or brodix race head. what kinda hp might i be looking at.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Oh to answer your question, I would pull the motor and at least check the bottom end. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, just hone the cylinders and install new rings, bearings, oil pump.
Stock rod(original) rod bolts are the only thing I don't trust on bottom ends. BUT to change rod bolts, you must resize the rods, thats when you start spending money.
Stock rod(original) rod bolts are the only thing I don't trust on bottom ends. BUT to change rod bolts, you must resize the rods, thats when you start spending money.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
Originally Posted by ajrothm
That cam is very small for a BB. You could probably just get by with Edelbrock oval ports if you insist on using that cam. Actually if you are going to use that cam, I would just do a 3 angle valve job, spring upgrade and maybe some minor port/bowl work on your stock heads and save yourself a lot of money.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
edelbrock has heads with both 100 and 110 chambers and large
290 oval runners with 219 size intake valve it would flow plenty of
air for a big block unless its very big cube or radical cammed.
the 100cc combustion chambers would bring up your compression
71 engines have around 119 chambers. Your cam is pretty mild for
a 454 size engine.
performer high compession 454 oval.
complete single head # 60499
100cc combustion chamber
runner size 290cc
219/188 valves.
290 oval runners with 219 size intake valve it would flow plenty of
air for a big block unless its very big cube or radical cammed.
the 100cc combustion chambers would bring up your compression
71 engines have around 119 chambers. Your cam is pretty mild for
a 454 size engine.
performer high compession 454 oval.
complete single head # 60499
100cc combustion chamber
runner size 290cc
219/188 valves.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Dec 9, 2006 at 10:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
If your not after the lighter weight of aluminum you can put
the larger 219/188 valves in your heads. edelbrock claims if you
have the flat top piston the 100 chambers will give 9.2 comp.
not a lot but better then 8.25 my 73 LS4 was supposed to have.
the larger 219/188 valves in your heads. edelbrock claims if you
have the flat top piston the 100 chambers will give 9.2 comp.
not a lot but better then 8.25 my 73 LS4 was supposed to have.