77 L82 head upgrade options
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 70
Likes: 18
From: Kentucky
77 L82 head upgrade options
I am working on a retromod of a 77 I plan to give to my dad, the stock heads are well, FILTHY because they leaked like crazy and smog sucks. So, I was looking into a cheap upgrade or replacement but I don't know the stock spec. would anybody be able to tell me the stock spec and potentially recommend a reasonable upgrade? I am not looking to make some monster, stock is probably fine but the amount of money and time id put into referb on the heads probably equals or approaches the cost of a new head.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Stock is 76cc chamber(that’s why your compression ratio is so low, 8.5:1)
If you’re replacing the heads, and can swing it, I would recommend replacing the iron 76cc head with an aluminum head, 64cc chamber. Lighter, better flowing, and will bump your CR up improving drivability and power.
im a fan of the edelbrock estreet 5089 heads in terms of price vs performance, but honestly Trick flow, Brodix, AFR all make good heads.
If you’re replacing the heads, and can swing it, I would recommend replacing the iron 76cc head with an aluminum head, 64cc chamber. Lighter, better flowing, and will bump your CR up improving drivability and power.
im a fan of the edelbrock estreet 5089 heads in terms of price vs performance, but honestly Trick flow, Brodix, AFR all make good heads.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 70
Likes: 18
From: Kentucky
Stock is 76cc chamber(that’s why your compression ratio is so low, 8.5:1)
If you’re replacing the heads, and can swing it, I would recommend replacing the iron 76cc head with an aluminum head, 64cc chamber. Lighter, better flowing, and will bump your CR up improving drivability and power.
im a fan of the edelbrock estreet 5089 heads in terms of price vs performance, but honestly Trick flow, Brodix, AFR all make good heads.
If you’re replacing the heads, and can swing it, I would recommend replacing the iron 76cc head with an aluminum head, 64cc chamber. Lighter, better flowing, and will bump your CR up improving drivability and power.
im a fan of the edelbrock estreet 5089 heads in terms of price vs performance, but honestly Trick flow, Brodix, AFR all make good heads.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
couple of differences on heads.
chamber size, like 76cc 60cc etc. this affects comp ratio.
smaller means more compression and more potential power.
valve diameter, 2.02 1.92 etc. affects air entering cylinder. bigger more potential.
you can google the head number, found under valve cover.
like "gm 3932441 head"
comes back 70 76cc 1.92 int valve gen 1 sbc
last spec usually found on new heads is intake runner size,
like 170 cc 180cc 190cc 200cc etc, this is potential velocity of intake air path.
yes, machine work, finding an old head/s, and increasing performance gets frustrating when the sellers of old heads think they have gold. machine shops are expensive.
new alumn heads are a viable choice
chamber size, like 76cc 60cc etc. this affects comp ratio.
smaller means more compression and more potential power.
valve diameter, 2.02 1.92 etc. affects air entering cylinder. bigger more potential.
you can google the head number, found under valve cover.
like "gm 3932441 head"
comes back 70 76cc 1.92 int valve gen 1 sbc
last spec usually found on new heads is intake runner size,
like 170 cc 180cc 190cc 200cc etc, this is potential velocity of intake air path.
yes, machine work, finding an old head/s, and increasing performance gets frustrating when the sellers of old heads think they have gold. machine shops are expensive.
new alumn heads are a viable choice
Pro
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 505
Likes: 230
I would get a set of whatever 180 cc heads with 64cc chamber aluminum heads fit your budget. You can get a set under $1k, it’s not really worth messing with the stock heads. You will probably need longer push rods and roller rockers also. The 64cc heads will give you about a point more compression.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
The AFR heads for $1000.00 is a nice as cast finished cylinder head and is priced to be affordable. The were tested on Engine Masters and they did very well.
Compression Makes power so simply add some compression and make some power. I did it to my 427 and wow, what a difference. Just realize that once you change the cylinder head the engine will have to find the right timing to make it run perfectly.
Compression Makes power so simply add some compression and make some power. I did it to my 427 and wow, what a difference. Just realize that once you change the cylinder head the engine will have to find the right timing to make it run perfectly.
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