Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads?
I am looking to breathe a little life into my 72 base engine by installing a CC Xtreme Energy XE250 or 256H cam along with an Edelbrock Performer intake and heads. I am not looking for high RPM power just a little more "grunt" in the lower RPM range (1000 to 3500). I have already installed Dynomax headers, Lars re-curve kit and a Pertronix pointless conversion kit, K&N filter with Xtreme cover & rebuilt Q-Jet carb.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
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From: Wichita, KS
Re: Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads? (KJL)
The World Products Torqurer's will set you back a lot less money and offer the same performance gain; next to none in the RPM range that you are looking at.
Put your money in rear gearing if you want to gain performance in the 1000 to 3500 RPM range.
Put your money in rear gearing if you want to gain performance in the 1000 to 3500 RPM range.
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 515
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From: IL
Re: Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads? (KJL)
This may shed some light http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=244855
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,036
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From: central FL, near the beach.
Re: Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads? (KJL)
if you really want 1000-3500 you need a stroker crank. stock heads ok. xe250 or 256 cam.
it would fall flat about 4500.
But would snap your neck in the lower range you like.
i did try the xe250 with SRT's in my 72 and it did have excellent torque, but a 383 would be
more dramatic. i changed to the 262 when i realized i could reset the trans to shift in D at 5700 to take advantage of the bigger cam. Stock shift floored is 5000, are you sure you don't want to shift there?
as previously mentioned a 3.70 or 4.10 rear would snap your neck too, but would be tedious at above 65 cruise.
it would fall flat about 4500.
But would snap your neck in the lower range you like.
i did try the xe250 with SRT's in my 72 and it did have excellent torque, but a 383 would be
more dramatic. i changed to the 262 when i realized i could reset the trans to shift in D at 5700 to take advantage of the bigger cam. Stock shift floored is 5000, are you sure you don't want to shift there?
as previously mentioned a 3.70 or 4.10 rear would snap your neck too, but would be tedious at above 65 cruise.
Advanced
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 59
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From: Whittier CA
Re: Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads? (KJL)
If you are looking for low end, take a gander at the Summit 1100 or 1101 cam. Do a DD2000 on it with your combo. Both of these die an early death in the RPM range, but it's hard to beat their low end grunt. Coupled with a set of AFR 190s, they are respectable up to around 4500 or so.
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 386
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From: Niedernhausen, Germany
Re: Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads? (rpounds)
The Performer head is not a good choice if you shoot for low-end performance and torque as the valves are too big. I would definitely recommend to go for heads with 1,9/1,5 valves rather than 2,0/1,6 - the smaller the valves, the crispier the throttle response in the lower rpm.band will be.
For the manifold: Choose one with long intake runners (Holley Contender, Edelbrock PERFORMER - not RPM).
Also never choose a Holley carb larger than 600cfm if you want low-end power. Rather opt for a Rochester - althoug flowing 750cfm maximum, the 1st stage is very small thus enhancing throttle response greatly.
Choose a cam with as little duration as possible (kind of a truck-cam): This will spin the wheels!
And of course: Lower rear-end ratio makes a big difference (e.g. I have changed from 3,08 to 3,55: Great improvement after some rejetting of the carb).
For the manifold: Choose one with long intake runners (Holley Contender, Edelbrock PERFORMER - not RPM).
Also never choose a Holley carb larger than 600cfm if you want low-end power. Rather opt for a Rochester - althoug flowing 750cfm maximum, the 1st stage is very small thus enhancing throttle response greatly.
Choose a cam with as little duration as possible (kind of a truck-cam): This will spin the wheels!
And of course: Lower rear-end ratio makes a big difference (e.g. I have changed from 3,08 to 3,55: Great improvement after some rejetting of the carb).
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Re: Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads? (1979toy)
Thanks for all the good info. As far as heads go I know that higher flowing heads yield the dividends in the high RPM range but I thought that with the improved combustion characteristics and higher CR, I might see an over-all performance gain in the lower range as well. My current CR is 8:1 with 76 CC chambers. Going to the 70 CC Performer would increase it to about 9:1 according to Edlebrock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
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From: Blue Ridge Georgia
Re: Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads? (KJL)
If you want low end go with the Comp XE262 cam and maybe some 1.6 or at least some1.52 roller rockers. It's a GREAT low end cam. As far as carb's - I don't think you can beat the 650 Speed Demon, maybe on that new EPS Edebrock intake - it picks up like 9 lbs of torque.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,036
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From: central FL, near the beach.
Re: Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads? (KJL)
KJL
i bet u have a bad vacuum modulator, making it shift early.
saw a test in a mag, at 3000 rpm Edelbrock head gained 15 hp over stock.
i bet u have a bad vacuum modulator, making it shift early.
saw a test in a mag, at 3000 rpm Edelbrock head gained 15 hp over stock.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Re: Anyone using Edelbrock Performer heads? (Matt Gruber)
I would love to put the Vortec heads on but after doing some checking found that the Vortec intake was to high for the "72" lower hood profile as well as the exhaust ports being .25" higher. The Performer intake is as about as wild as I can get. Under normal drivig conditions what should the shift points be? Is there a way to check it?
Thanks
Thanks
