A head question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
A head question
New to Chevy parts.
I'm looking for modest power gain on a L-48.
Which heads will work well.
Planning on heads, cam and intake manifold.
There is a lot of talk about heads on this forum and I'm just not sure.
RPM range will be 6500 max.
Thanks
Ralph
I'm looking for modest power gain on a L-48.
Which heads will work well.
Planning on heads, cam and intake manifold.
There is a lot of talk about heads on this forum and I'm just not sure.
RPM range will be 6500 max.
Thanks
Ralph
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Bishop CA
Brodix heads are a great set. I do believe that they have a whole top end package for a 350. Tony Barker is the man to talk to, he can help you set it up.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
I was hoping for something out of pick-n-pull.
This would be a lower RPM motor. I'm wanting a low cc combustion chamber and larger valves. $1000.00 heads is not what I'm looking for or feel I need. Most any head will be better what I have.
A medium cam and matching intake and better exhaust.
Better performance, better gas mileage and more fun to drive.
Ralph
This would be a lower RPM motor. I'm wanting a low cc combustion chamber and larger valves. $1000.00 heads is not what I'm looking for or feel I need. Most any head will be better what I have.
A medium cam and matching intake and better exhaust.
Better performance, better gas mileage and more fun to drive.
Ralph
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-152123/?rtype=7
I don't know what you can get from the local salvage yard money wise. Anything you pull there would need a trip to the shop to get checked and/or reworked. The head above is not bad for the money. I would look at a total package from Summit. It is easy to surpass their total price when you start to piece by piece it.
This kit has everything you need:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SME-K-355-400/
There are tons of packages out there to choose from that will get you everything you need in one kit. That is the route I would go if money is a concern.
I don't know what you can get from the local salvage yard money wise. Anything you pull there would need a trip to the shop to get checked and/or reworked. The head above is not bad for the money. I would look at a total package from Summit. It is easy to surpass their total price when you start to piece by piece it.
This kit has everything you need:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SME-K-355-400/
There are tons of packages out there to choose from that will get you everything you need in one kit. That is the route I would go if money is a concern.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
these heads are the 72cc head.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-152123/?rtype=7
With 8.5 compression I was looking for the 65cc head.
The other package deal looks great, except for the price.
And I don't think I really need all of that.
In my Summit cart I have $450.00 worth of goodies.
Cam manifold and the like.
Found a set of heads Casting # 3991492 for less than $200 with low miles
what ever that really means.
If they are in decent shape I could clean them up, lap the valves and add new stem seals.
Anyway this what I'm thinking.
Still open to suggestions.
Ralph
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-152123/?rtype=7
With 8.5 compression I was looking for the 65cc head.
The other package deal looks great, except for the price.
And I don't think I really need all of that.
In my Summit cart I have $450.00 worth of goodies.
Cam manifold and the like.
Found a set of heads Casting # 3991492 for less than $200 with low miles
what ever that really means.
If they are in decent shape I could clean them up, lap the valves and add new stem seals.
Anyway this what I'm thinking.
Still open to suggestions.
Ralph
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 121
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...ter/sd8060arpm
With this cam.
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...x?csid=97&sb=2
Should get you 100 HP, 6000 RPM and good streetability. You will need lifters, pusrods and valvecovers also.
It is not a good option to buy used iron heads and rebuild them. By the time you do guides, grind valves and seats, seals, springs and set them up your over what these cost.
PS I always recommend a roller cam. It will cost you about $800 more.
The summit kit above is also not a bad option.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SME-K-355-400/
And, yes you do need all these parts. Everything in this kit is required for what you want to do except possibly the timing set if it was recently replaced.
You say in your initial post your looking for 6500 RPM capability then in your later post you say "This would be a lower RPM motor" These 2 do not coincide.
With this cam.
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...x?csid=97&sb=2
Should get you 100 HP, 6000 RPM and good streetability. You will need lifters, pusrods and valvecovers also.
It is not a good option to buy used iron heads and rebuild them. By the time you do guides, grind valves and seats, seals, springs and set them up your over what these cost.
PS I always recommend a roller cam. It will cost you about $800 more.
The summit kit above is also not a bad option.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SME-K-355-400/
And, yes you do need all these parts. Everything in this kit is required for what you want to do except possibly the timing set if it was recently replaced.
You say in your initial post your looking for 6500 RPM capability then in your later post you say "This would be a lower RPM motor" These 2 do not coincide.
Last edited by 63mako; Mar 30, 2011 at 11:53 AM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
In the late sixty's we build 327's that turned 8000rpm.
I thought 6500 was a upper mid range rpm street engine.
And it is definitely lower than 8k.
I remember idling at 70mpm, well almost idling anyway.
I thought 6500 was a upper mid range rpm street engine.
And it is definitely lower than 8k.
I remember idling at 70mpm, well almost idling anyway.
Last edited by Ralphbf; Mar 30, 2011 at 11:38 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 121
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Had to wind it tight to get the power. Modern cams and heads have changed the street engine game. You have small blocks now in the 12's that never see 6000 RPM. Need a solid lifter cam to go over 6500 RPM with a 350 and that is pushing it unless you have some trick valvetrain parts like titanium retainers, lightweight valves and beehive springs. Those will blow your budget. The 492 heads will work if you have access to a machine shop and can do the work yourself but the newer chamber designed heads will outflow them big time for the cost of the 492's and the required machine work.
Last edited by 63mako; Mar 31, 2011 at 12:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
L48 has dished pistons & heads w/ large 76cc chambers; needs compression. Most aftermarket heads are about 64cc; that'll hardly raise an otherwise stock L48 to 9:1 scr.
Suggest 58cc chamber aluminum head as found on ZZ4 (gm p/n 12556463) AND as found on Production L98 motor. L98 standard about 1985-1991 C4 and optional about 1987-1992 camaro & firebird. They will bolt right up to OE C3 intake manifold. They do Not have an exhaust heat Xover but neither do most aftermarket heads.
L48 w/ 58cc chambers and $100 house-brand cam&lifter kit from summit, and proper tune-up, will easily make +325 FWHP.
Suggest 58cc chamber aluminum head as found on ZZ4 (gm p/n 12556463) AND as found on Production L98 motor. L98 standard about 1985-1991 C4 and optional about 1987-1992 camaro & firebird. They will bolt right up to OE C3 intake manifold. They do Not have an exhaust heat Xover but neither do most aftermarket heads.
L48 w/ 58cc chambers and $100 house-brand cam&lifter kit from summit, and proper tune-up, will easily make +325 FWHP.
I was hoping for something out of pick-n-pull.
This would be a lower RPM motor. I'm wanting a low cc combustion chamber and larger valves. $1000.00 heads is not what I'm looking for or feel I need. Most any head will be better what I have.
A medium cam and matching intake and better exhaust.
Better performance, better gas mileage and more fun to drive.
Ralph
This would be a lower RPM motor. I'm wanting a low cc combustion chamber and larger valves. $1000.00 heads is not what I'm looking for or feel I need. Most any head will be better what I have.
A medium cam and matching intake and better exhaust.
Better performance, better gas mileage and more fun to drive.
Ralph
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
i didn't realize the pistons were dished, wow.
I was thinking about refreshing the engine anyway.
80,000 miles isn't a lot these days but to many for an extra 75 to 125 hp increase.
Maybe new pistons would be in order, I believe $229.00 for the Summit rebuild kit against $90 for the re-ring kit.
The more I look into this the less I know.
Guys $1000.00 for a set of heads just seems wrong on so many different levels.
So what kind of gas mileage are we talking about with this setup?
My 1998 got 19 around town and 25 Hwy.
One other thing hood clearance.
I need another intake an it's already a precision fit.
So what have others done in the past?
Ralph
I was thinking about refreshing the engine anyway.
80,000 miles isn't a lot these days but to many for an extra 75 to 125 hp increase.
Maybe new pistons would be in order, I believe $229.00 for the Summit rebuild kit against $90 for the re-ring kit.
The more I look into this the less I know.
Guys $1000.00 for a set of heads just seems wrong on so many different levels.
So what kind of gas mileage are we talking about with this setup?
My 1998 got 19 around town and 25 Hwy.
One other thing hood clearance.
I need another intake an it's already a precision fit.
So what have others done in the past?
Ralph
Last edited by Ralphbf; Apr 1, 2011 at 05:54 AM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 4
From: Holbrook MA
This is a great thread since I'm planning a similar project next winter on my 77 L48. I was planning to pull the engine and at least do pistons, rings and bearings. I was thinking of the Vortec heads from Summit, but how would I know which pistoms to use with the 64cc heads to get a reasonable compression ratio?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
If you're looking to do it on the cheap. Look for a set of vortec truck heads. You can get the ones '63 pointed out or pull them off of any '96-'99 gm 5700 V8 truck engine at the junk yard.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
She is a 75.
Called my smog guy and he said he didn't need to see me.
Just take her to the DMV and pay the fees.
Pulled the radiator to day, it had a bunch of green mush spots.
Was told all it needed was $380.00 for a replacement, and the cap was still good.
With the radiator out I got a good look at the control arm bushings, not good. So new bushings and ball joints are in the works. I've never seen ball joints so hard to separate. I finally broke out the torch.
I bought all the satan black Walmart had. I guess I'm doing a frame on restoration.
I have about 30 hours in her this week, since Tuesday and it's only Thursday. Maybe by Saturday she'll have all the wheels on the ground and I'll be able to drive her.
Called my smog guy and he said he didn't need to see me.
Just take her to the DMV and pay the fees.
Pulled the radiator to day, it had a bunch of green mush spots.
Was told all it needed was $380.00 for a replacement, and the cap was still good.
With the radiator out I got a good look at the control arm bushings, not good. So new bushings and ball joints are in the works. I've never seen ball joints so hard to separate. I finally broke out the torch.
I bought all the satan black Walmart had. I guess I'm doing a frame on restoration.
I have about 30 hours in her this week, since Tuesday and it's only Thursday. Maybe by Saturday she'll have all the wheels on the ground and I'll be able to drive her.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Check into EQ cyl heads, reas. cost, nice power upgrade or vortecs as suggested.
While 1000 may seem like a lot if you buy the right head youll be shocked at the difference it makes, isnt like swapping one old school head for the other. For a few hun more you could have an AFR. That and a modest cam will add a whole bunch of power to what you have. Very very efficient head.
Those 492s dont sound bad but a Vortec will make a bigger improvemtn imo
While 1000 may seem like a lot if you buy the right head youll be shocked at the difference it makes, isnt like swapping one old school head for the other. For a few hun more you could have an AFR. That and a modest cam will add a whole bunch of power to what you have. Very very efficient head.
Those 492s dont sound bad but a Vortec will make a bigger improvemtn imo
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
So how about these heads?
They claim there good to 500hp.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-A...Q5fAccessories
They claim there good to 500hp.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-A...Q5fAccessories