74 heads
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Best bang for the buck? Well, I'm happy with my AFR 195 Street Eliminator heads on my '76 L-82 that were installed last year. This year, I'm in the process of putting in a retro hyd roller cam - .560" lift, 227 duration @ .050". A big bang over stock for a bit more than a buck but very nice.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Clifton Virginia
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
I agree with Mike. I port matched mine since the intake ports were not cast very evenly and did a nice valve job on the factory 2.02/1.60 valves. For a driver quality car that I like to cruise in as well as take on trips it works very well. I'm sure that an expensive (to me) set of aluminum aftermarket heads would give me some extra grunt in the mid to upper RPM ranges but since I rarely push my Vette that much or that hard I'm happy. I have abundant low and midrange power with my combo. To each his own, but I can spend $1500+ on better stuff for my baby.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
I need new valve guides so to recondition my heads I'm looking around 1500 for 2 new heads mid of the line I'm looking at 1000 I'm not looking for big gains. I'm just not confident I can do the replacement myself so I prob need a shop to do it
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
how do you know you need new guides and not just seals? Have the heads been removed and pulled apart yet? $1500 for valve guides and seals? Make sure the rest of your engine isup to the task.... worn rings can easily give out under increase in pressure from better flowing or higher compression heads.
Last edited by augiedoggy; May 30, 2013 at 12:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
I started Dow. The same road when I picked up my dart heads on Craig list for my 74 and ended up deciding to change the whole engine. But if your block is in good shape you can get a nice boost with 64/180cc heads.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
You can get nice gains with the afrs and a stock cam
No matter where that lifter is on the lobe once the valve is open it will move more air than the stockers. Id recommend a little better intake/exh to compliment it.
Not a fan of dumping money in old iron heads. Vortecs are way overrated imo. And known for cracks so beware.
learned my lesson the hard way- buy the best cyl head you possibly can the first time. You can always add other parts to help compliment later but at least they are there. The bottom end wont be affected by a new head. If it goes it was gonna anyway.
Most blow up bottom ends after cam/head upgrades from driving them like they stole them lol. Never had an issue personally just dont be a dope with the pedal.
No matter where that lifter is on the lobe once the valve is open it will move more air than the stockers. Id recommend a little better intake/exh to compliment it.
Not a fan of dumping money in old iron heads. Vortecs are way overrated imo. And known for cracks so beware.
learned my lesson the hard way- buy the best cyl head you possibly can the first time. You can always add other parts to help compliment later but at least they are there. The bottom end wont be affected by a new head. If it goes it was gonna anyway.
Most blow up bottom ends after cam/head upgrades from driving them like they stole them lol. Never had an issue personally just dont be a dope with the pedal.