Aluminum Head Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 422
Likes: 28
From: Collinsville IL
Aluminum Head Question
I currently have a 400 with a set of 492 heads. I am looking at a set of 215cc Dart Pro 1 heads. They have 72cc chambers. My block is 30 over with a comp 268 cam. 3.75" stroke using 5.7" rods. Speed Pro Hyper flat top pistons. If I am doing my math correct even with the 72cc chamber I would still be at 10.0:1 compression. Looking for opinions on the these heads working with my set up. Will match the heads with a RPM Air Gap intake. What say you gear heads?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Key West Florida
i dont have much knowledge on the 400sbc's but i do know they have a simeese bore block, which means your heads must have steam passages bored in them between the combustion chambers. if you dont have these ive herd the block will be more prone to cracking. thats just all hear say tho, no real experience.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
You don't need to drill the steam holes in the heads, but it is a good idea to do it.
The 215 heads will really bring that engine alive, compared to the iron 492 heads you have now.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
As already stated, those heads will be a huge improvement. However, the cam you've selected won't even come close to utilizing the flow capabilities of those heads. Depending on your performance goals, you may want to go with more cam or select heads that are a better match to the 268 cam. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 4
From: East Wenatchee (2hours from n e where) WA
how big are the chambers on the current head? Are you satisfied with the throttle response in the 2500-3000rpm range? What is the cranking compression? Any detonation problems? If the cranking comp is in the neighborhood of 185-195 use the same size chambers on your new head. based on the cam I suspect you dont turn the 400 over 6000rpm. the 215s are a little large. The afr 195 is a very versatile head, outstanding balance of velocity vs flow. The 195 would be my pick. The smallest intake port that will get the job done will give the best all around performance. Chamber size depends on how well the current chamber size is working for you. The modern aluminum head with a more efficient camber design will let you get away with a little more cyl psi (compression) and a little less timing.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
I have those heads and the rpm air gap intake.it would make great torque with that cam ,aluminum heads can handle 1/2 point more compression because they dissipate heat faster.figure out your dynamic compression to see if you can run that cam.check out comps cam quest 6 .
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I made 550Hp and 510Tq with 215cc Vic Jr heads that were actually 220cc on a 406ci solid roller engine, you need a bigger cam, these are racing pieces that you want to run on the street and it is easy to do with the correct parts, that's why they came up with cams known as "street rollers" 
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Dart will sell 215 heads with the larger 2.08/1.625 valves. The valve size determines the max port flow. That is why AFR 195 upped the valves sizes to 2.08
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 7
From: Wake Forest NC
I currently have a 400 with a set of 492 heads. I am looking at a set of 215cc Dart Pro 1 heads. They have 72cc chambers. My block is 30 over with a comp 268 cam. 3.75" stroke using 5.7" rods. Speed Pro Hyper flat top pistons. If I am doing my math correct even with the 72cc chamber I would still be at 10.0:1 compression. Looking for opinions on the these heads working with my set up. Will match the heads with a RPM Air Gap intake. What say you gear heads?
