Some help choosing heads for my build?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 431
Likes: 15
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Some help choosing heads for my build?
I have a Chevy 350 that came out of a 1991 Chevy truck w/ 305 heads and stock crank/pistons in my Vette that is pretty low on performance. I'm also pretty low on my budget (Can't surpass $950 with heads. The cheaper the better).
Compression is 9.0:1, but should raise to 10:1 with smaller 64cc chambers
I'm upgrading the cam to a Comp XE274 hydraulic flat tappet which advertises a .490 lift and 274/286 duration
As for heads; I've been looking at scoggin dickeys modified 64cc high lift Vortecs
This:
http://sdparts.com/i-23901425-sdpc-s...ller-cams.html
My biggest question: Is a 170cc intake enough for this build?
I was also thinking of getting these Promaxx (Previously Patriot I believe) Same price but Aluminum, 64cc, 190cc intake.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Patriot+Perfor...kWRxoCOeXw_wcB
Also this from Jegs that seems to be the same Promaxx, but with angled plugs. Somehow almost $150 cheaper?
http://www.jegs.com/i/ProMaxx-Perfor...2/-1#reviewTab
Compression is 9.0:1, but should raise to 10:1 with smaller 64cc chambers
I'm upgrading the cam to a Comp XE274 hydraulic flat tappet which advertises a .490 lift and 274/286 duration
As for heads; I've been looking at scoggin dickeys modified 64cc high lift Vortecs
This:
http://sdparts.com/i-23901425-sdpc-s...ller-cams.html
My biggest question: Is a 170cc intake enough for this build?
I was also thinking of getting these Promaxx (Previously Patriot I believe) Same price but Aluminum, 64cc, 190cc intake.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Patriot+Perfor...kWRxoCOeXw_wcB
Also this from Jegs that seems to be the same Promaxx, but with angled plugs. Somehow almost $150 cheaper?
http://www.jegs.com/i/ProMaxx-Perfor...2/-1#reviewTab
Last edited by Shdggsdv; Aug 4, 2016 at 01:31 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
170cc is ok for a stock 350 with a cam
Figure what your compression ratio is first before buying cam or heads need more info; dont want to overcam it
Your choice but I personally refuse to support China or any of those other countries that put American workers in the soup line.
Figure what your compression ratio is first before buying cam or heads need more info; dont want to overcam it
Your choice but I personally refuse to support China or any of those other countries that put American workers in the soup line.
Last edited by cv67; Aug 4, 2016 at 01:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 431
Likes: 15
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Figure what your compression ratio is first before buying cam or heads
What is he saying that makes him think the heads are 302 (or anythin gspecial)
I refuse to support communists and be a party to one more American company laying off god knows how many. Get what ya pay for there
We only have a few American mfrs left if they go...Im out of the hobby.
Anywa find out more about that motor ask, plan and buy once.
What you do is your business
What is he saying that makes him think the heads are 302 (or anythin gspecial)
I refuse to support communists and be a party to one more American company laying off god knows how many. Get what ya pay for there
We only have a few American mfrs left if they go...Im out of the hobby.
Anywa find out more about that motor ask, plan and buy once.
What you do is your business
Last edited by Shdggsdv; Aug 4, 2016 at 01:23 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
305 heads have poor flow and puny valves. If you just want to get your car up-and-running, those heads can do that. But, if you think that just raising compression number will get you better power, I don't think that's the case with those heads. Those 305 heads were designed for emissions purposes; I don't even think "economy" was on the minds of the GM engineers when they created them [let alone, "performance"].
Personally, I think you are better off with the stock heads you presently have on the car now. You might want to recurve the distributor for "performance"; that should net you about 25 hp, if you haven't optimized the distributor yet.
Personally, I think you are better off with the stock heads you presently have on the car now. You might want to recurve the distributor for "performance"; that should net you about 25 hp, if you haven't optimized the distributor yet.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 4, 2016 at 01:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 431
Likes: 15
From: Las Vegas Nevada
305 heads have poor flow and puny valves. If you just want to get your car up-and-running, those heads can do that. But, if you think that just raising compression number will get you better power, I don't think that's the case with those heads. Those 305 heads were designed for emissions purposes; I don't even think "economy" was on the minds of the GM engineers when they created them [let alone, "performance"].
Personally, I think you are better off with the stock heads you presently have on the car now. You might want to recurve the distributor for "performance"; that should net you about 25 hp, if you haven't optimized the distributor yet.
Personally, I think you are better off with the stock heads you presently have on the car now. You might want to recurve the distributor for "performance"; that should net you about 25 hp, if you haven't optimized the distributor yet.
Last edited by Shdggsdv; Aug 4, 2016 at 01:37 PM.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Run the Vortecs.......but remember that you will have to buy an intake for these......
I am not convinced that the ProMaxx stuff is quality....
Just my thoughts.....
The Vortec heads are a sure thing.
Another thing you can do is shop E-bay for used heads.....
I picked up a set of Dart Iron Eagles for $600 and they had very low hours on them.....
Jebby
I am not convinced that the ProMaxx stuff is quality....
Just my thoughts.....
The Vortec heads are a sure thing.
Another thing you can do is shop E-bay for used heads.....
I picked up a set of Dart Iron Eagles for $600 and they had very low hours on them.....
Jebby
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,291
Likes: 492
From: Salmon Arm, BC
I've had really good luck with the vortecs, They do make a plane jane 350 into a powerful street cruiser, if you match it with a nice cam....i might step it down one from the xe274 to the xe268 for street cruising, especially if you run an auto trans.
These heads, a Performer RPM intake, some headers, and a distributor recurve like GKULL suggested, and I'm sure you'll be smilin'
These heads, a Performer RPM intake, some headers, and a distributor recurve like GKULL suggested, and I'm sure you'll be smilin'
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 137
Likes: 11
From: Kingston Ontario
The Edelbrock E Street heads are on sale right now as well, $909 and free shipping, they'd fit in your budget.
As noted before, remember you have to change the intake to run Vortec heads, so budget the standard SBC heads at least $100 more than Vortec to compare apples to apples. Reuse the intake you have, buy better heads. That puts you in the park for the E Streets.
The ProMaxx actually seem pretty good since the new owners took over from Patriot, or so says the Interwebz....
Most engine guys will tell you the Vortecs are some of the best flowing heads GM ever made. Certainly for the price they seem like it. You could look for used ones maybe? Or rebuilt. That saves $$ if they're nice and have new car smell
As noted before, remember you have to change the intake to run Vortec heads, so budget the standard SBC heads at least $100 more than Vortec to compare apples to apples. Reuse the intake you have, buy better heads. That puts you in the park for the E Streets.
The ProMaxx actually seem pretty good since the new owners took over from Patriot, or so says the Interwebz....
Most engine guys will tell you the Vortecs are some of the best flowing heads GM ever made. Certainly for the price they seem like it. You could look for used ones maybe? Or rebuilt. That saves $$ if they're nice and have new car smell
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Seems like 305 heads had tiny combustion chambers didn't they? I don't remember.
Vortec's use non guided rockers also don't they? Need the whole package plus the intake.
The Edelbrocks seem good for that price.
As much as I hate to say it, some of the import stuff is gaining quality and folks are having good luck...but I can't keep up with all the similar sounding names (which is the plan when you're copying a copy) as to which ones are decent and which are junk. Seems like the biggest issue at times is the valves, springs, studs etc...not the casting. I've seen some BBC import castings that are really strong and nice as well as some junk.
I would give Chris Straub a call. He DOES keep up with it since he sells parts/components to many of the big name cylinder head and cam mfgs. He know's which is good and which to stay away from. I believe he comes up with some decent pricing in entry level aluminum heads also with good components included.
Another would be Chad Spier. He's got a line of low budget aluminum heads that he swears by and he does a lot of serious head work.
JIM
Vortec's use non guided rockers also don't they? Need the whole package plus the intake.
The Edelbrocks seem good for that price.
As much as I hate to say it, some of the import stuff is gaining quality and folks are having good luck...but I can't keep up with all the similar sounding names (which is the plan when you're copying a copy) as to which ones are decent and which are junk. Seems like the biggest issue at times is the valves, springs, studs etc...not the casting. I've seen some BBC import castings that are really strong and nice as well as some junk.
I would give Chris Straub a call. He DOES keep up with it since he sells parts/components to many of the big name cylinder head and cam mfgs. He know's which is good and which to stay away from. I believe he comes up with some decent pricing in entry level aluminum heads also with good components included.
Another would be Chad Spier. He's got a line of low budget aluminum heads that he swears by and he does a lot of serious head work.
JIM
Last edited by 427Hotrod; Aug 5, 2016 at 10:28 AM. Reason: wef
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 421
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From: Chicago IL
Last edited by Jartanyon; Aug 5, 2016 at 06:59 PM.