041 SB heads vs. 292's
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
041 SB heads vs. 292's
I'm rebuilding a '70 LT-1 which last ran in 1993. The issue is, it has 292 casting heads, which I thought was only available over the counter, so apparently they're not original, but they're in pretty bad shape. They probably need more work than they're worth.
I have a set of 041 heads that are in great shape I could put on it. How do these two castings compare performance wise? The combustion chambers appear to be the same shape and size. Anyone have any information on these heads?
I have a set of 041 heads that are in great shape I could put on it. How do these two castings compare performance wise? The combustion chambers appear to be the same shape and size. Anyone have any information on these heads?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 269
Likes: 52
From: Springfield, TN
About 20 years ago, I swapped some 186 castings for a set of 292s on a 400ci powered Camaro.
Both had 2.02/1.60 valves and some mild port work that I had done, but the 292s had a bigger valve spring.
The 292s were worth about a 1/2 second in the quarter on what had previously been a low 13 second car.
Today I'd have to think twice about it and look closely at the cost to rebuild those 292s. There are a lot of aftermarket heads out there. Some are great, some are junk.
If I were you, I'd first decide what your goal is.
Do you want to go fast?
Do you want the car original (or close to it)?
Do you want to stick with cast iron heads or go to aluminum?
and of course - How much are you willing to spend on the other three questions?
Both had 2.02/1.60 valves and some mild port work that I had done, but the 292s had a bigger valve spring.
The 292s were worth about a 1/2 second in the quarter on what had previously been a low 13 second car.
Today I'd have to think twice about it and look closely at the cost to rebuild those 292s. There are a lot of aftermarket heads out there. Some are great, some are junk.
If I were you, I'd first decide what your goal is.
Do you want to go fast?
Do you want the car original (or close to it)?
Do you want to stick with cast iron heads or go to aluminum?
and of course - How much are you willing to spend on the other three questions?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
041, 186... heads are 40 year old 170'ish cc heads 292 are over 30 years old with 180 ish cc whether angle plugs or straight are old tech chambers.
Sportsman II were the rage with 200cc and 2.050 intakes
I ran them with screw in studs and guide plates and up to 2.055 intake valves. After all that money 25 years ago they cracked the chambers between the in intake and exhaust sheets and leaked fluid
Dart iron eagle or Platinum ............. all out of the box with modern chambers blow them away with 180 - 200 cc intakes.
Heart shaped chambers with modern fast burn. I'm not a fan of Vortect heads but they do have performance gains for a budget minded person
Sportsman II were the rage with 200cc and 2.050 intakes
I ran them with screw in studs and guide plates and up to 2.055 intake valves. After all that money 25 years ago they cracked the chambers between the in intake and exhaust sheets and leaked fluid
Dart iron eagle or Platinum ............. all out of the box with modern chambers blow them away with 180 - 200 cc intakes.
Heart shaped chambers with modern fast burn. I'm not a fan of Vortect heads but they do have performance gains for a budget minded person
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
My goal is to keep it as original as possible.
As far as rebuilding the heads, I have access to a complete engine machine shop (my brother owns it) so I will only need to pay for the parts.
Since the 041's will require less work than the 292's, my question is, how do they compare as far as performance goes? Are they fairly equal?
As far as rebuilding the heads, I have access to a complete engine machine shop (my brother owns it) so I will only need to pay for the parts.
Since the 041's will require less work than the 292's, my question is, how do they compare as far as performance goes? Are they fairly equal?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Because they are iron they need to have the chambers mildly polished and made to match the bore so you don't have an hot spots or material hanging over in the bore
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 39
From: Fremont CA
The 292 heads were very superior in port flow. Like I said I ran them with 2.05 and 2.055 Manley proflow valves. They also have screw in studs.
Because they are iron they need to have the chambers mildly polished and made to match the bore so you don't have an hot spots or material hanging over in the bore
Because they are iron they need to have the chambers mildly polished and made to match the bore so you don't have an hot spots or material hanging over in the bore
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