Debating a head swap
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2017
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Debating a head swap
I have a 75 stingray L82 stock motor. I have headers installed with a 3in exhaust true duals. I’m looking at the idea of a head swap. I’m blowing smoke on first start up just want to get that fixed. I’ve also thought about a cam but really would rather rebuild at that point to insure the bottom end is solid. I was wondering if a slight upgrade to heads would give me a little bang for my buck before I go with the huge rebuild/replace on the engine. I was reading about L98 heads I believe it was will add a slight boost for a decent price. Not trying to spend over $1000 on a set of heads. Really just trying to breathe a little more life into the car. Would be running stock cam and q-jet
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you could look at vortec heads and a cam upgrade and stay under $1000. Also a stock cam and some higher ratio rockers will be like a cam upgrade. Good heads are worth every penny. Getting more air and fuel into your piston chamber is the only way to build power. Aluminum heads will allow for higher compression and allow for more timing without detonation by keeping the head temp down. Even without a cam upgrade a great set of heads will give you more horsepower.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 529
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From: Texas
Heads and rockers will give you some bang for you bucks.
https://kmjperformance.com/sbc-small...uot-studs.html
https://blueprintengines.com/product...sembled-h8002k
https://www.jegs.com/i/Brodix/158/1021001/10002/-1
https://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/5089/10002/-1
Last edited by Gunfighter13; Sep 6, 2019 at 11:12 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
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From: Port St. Lucie Fl
you could look at vortec heads and a cam upgrade and stay under $1000. Also a stock cam and some higher ratio rockers will be like a cam upgrade. Good heads are worth every penny. Getting more air and fuel into your piston chamber is the only way to build power. Aluminum heads will allow for higher compression and allow for more timing without detonation by keeping the head temp down. Even without a cam upgrade a great set of heads will give you more horsepower.
$600 - purchase,check for cracks,valve job,new springs and seals
$75-300 intake manifold price varies on whether you buy new or used and which model
$50-100 Gaskets
$120 cam and lifter kit
$30 timing set
$30 oil pump (not required but while youre there)
$100 - misc oil/coolant
then you have to make sure accessory brackets work with the new intake or holes in the heads.
After doing the swap and going through that dance, Id be checking the local machine shops for heads that someone brought in and never picked up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
There are some added expenses when going to aluminum heads that few people will tell you.
A pair of decent head gaskets could reach $100 because you are mating aluminum to iron. (No $30 head gaskets used here).
You will need ARP head bolts at $125 a set. (No stock bolts used here)
You will likely need longer pushrods at $90 because the rocker stud pad is higher than stock. (No-too-short-pushrods used here)
You will need a one solid lifter and one pushrod length checker to verify your new pushrod length.
So you see, you could have$300+ before you even set the heads in place. But you won't be sorry, it's a excellent upgrade
jmh opinion, vortec heads are overrated. There are some much better designs for the same money, with more flow. And, vortec heads may have a different intake bolt pattern forcing you to swap that out too.
A pair of decent head gaskets could reach $100 because you are mating aluminum to iron. (No $30 head gaskets used here).
You will need ARP head bolts at $125 a set. (No stock bolts used here)
You will likely need longer pushrods at $90 because the rocker stud pad is higher than stock. (No-too-short-pushrods used here)
You will need a one solid lifter and one pushrod length checker to verify your new pushrod length.
So you see, you could have$300+ before you even set the heads in place. But you won't be sorry, it's a excellent upgrade
jmh opinion, vortec heads are overrated. There are some much better designs for the same money, with more flow. And, vortec heads may have a different intake bolt pattern forcing you to swap that out too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Hermosa
A pair of decent head gaskets could reach $100 because you are mating aluminum to iron. (No $30 head gaskets used here).
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/f...make/chevrolet
I've never run vortec's, but those that do seem to like them. I tend to prefer Aluminum, since that's where all the recent development is going to be vs cast iron.
OP, bumping up the compression a bunch on a tired engine may make it an oil burner it your rings are weak. I'd do a leak down test to assess the condition of the rings first.
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
please dont buy those kmjs with the valves and springs they come with.
Heck I can get you the same thing with better stuff set up for you cam for a grand. Little more gets the mistakes fixed and a nice boost in power
Summit/pace sell vortecs set up so you can run more cam..buying used ones is risky unless you find a machine shop that has a set rebuilt ready to go.
Heck I can get you the same thing with better stuff set up for you cam for a grand. Little more gets the mistakes fixed and a nice boost in power
Summit/pace sell vortecs set up so you can run more cam..buying used ones is risky unless you find a machine shop that has a set rebuilt ready to go.
Last edited by cv67; Sep 7, 2019 at 12:05 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
No, I don't think so. I have those heads. ProMaxx are the former Patriot Heads, Freedom series.
I like 'em. I like 'em a lot.
There are too many "Pro" named heads. Adds to the confusion.
ProMaxx
Pro-Comp
Proform
I like 'em. I like 'em a lot.
There are too many "Pro" named heads. Adds to the confusion.
ProMaxx
Pro-Comp
Proform
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Sep 7, 2019 at 05:06 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
it is tight to do vortec heads and cam for $1k i did it on a truck a couple years ago, most of the cost is in the vortec heads and making sure they are good.
$600 - purchase,check for cracks,valve job,new springs and seals
$75-300 intake manifold price varies on whether you buy new or used and which model
$50-100 Gaskets
$120 cam and lifter kit
$30 timing set
$30 oil pump (not required but while youre there)
$100 - misc oil/coolant
then you have to make sure accessory brackets work with the new intake or holes in the heads.
After doing the swap and going through that dance, Id be checking the local machine shops for heads that someone brought in and never picked up.
$600 - purchase,check for cracks,valve job,new springs and seals
$75-300 intake manifold price varies on whether you buy new or used and which model
$50-100 Gaskets
$120 cam and lifter kit
$30 timing set
$30 oil pump (not required but while youre there)
$100 - misc oil/coolant
then you have to make sure accessory brackets work with the new intake or holes in the heads.
After doing the swap and going through that dance, Id be checking the local machine shops for heads that someone brought in and never picked up.
brand new pair assembled $818 delivered ... fits OE-type intake.
EngineQuest CH350HA ... country of origin New Zealand ... includes screw in rocker studs & headbolt set ... fits perimeter or centerbolt VCs
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-3...oAAOSw7ThUkH4f
-edit
And save some $ on your shim head gaskets
save your shim gasket money ... cut 2/3 off cost ... just about anytime chevy or GM or felpro has "performance " in description, the price goes UP
each $23 felpro shim 1094
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-1094?rrec=true
each $9 felpro shim 7733sh1
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/f...make/chevrolet
Last edited by jackson; Sep 7, 2019 at 06:40 PM.
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