!980 corvette heads
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 33
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From: Pekin IL
1980 corvette heads
I have a 1980 stock vette I put headers dual exhaust and edelbrock intake and 600 carb. What should I do with the heads should I get new alum kind and what size should I get. Are the heads that I have made of alum of steel?
[Modified by frosty80vette, 5:33 AM 5/16/2003]
[Modified by frosty80vette, 5:33 AM 5/16/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: 1980 corvette heads (frosty80vette)
frosty80vette,
You might search the C3 archives for information. There is an article (see link below) on the impacts of making changes to a small block Chevy.
http://www.73-87.com/chp/gm350.htm
This is not to advocate that you do this, but it does show that performance is the result to a balanced approach to carburation, intake manifold, heads, exhaust, etc.
You first should decide how you intend to use the car. Performance modifications necessary for a race car are not appropriate for a good running street car and vice-versa.
The stock heads for a 1980 are iron. A copy of the GM Performance Parts Catalog will provide some useful information on the performance heads that GM offers. The Vortec heads seem to be good performers and are available at modest prices.
You might search the C3 archives for information. There is an article (see link below) on the impacts of making changes to a small block Chevy.
http://www.73-87.com/chp/gm350.htm
This is not to advocate that you do this, but it does show that performance is the result to a balanced approach to carburation, intake manifold, heads, exhaust, etc.
You first should decide how you intend to use the car. Performance modifications necessary for a race car are not appropriate for a good running street car and vice-versa.
The stock heads for a 1980 are iron. A copy of the GM Performance Parts Catalog will provide some useful information on the performance heads that GM offers. The Vortec heads seem to be good performers and are available at modest prices.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: 1980 corvette heads (frosty80vette)
Most of the later '70's and '80's heads were poor flowing, high CC sized, thin metal junk!!
Most likely they are 76 CC heads. Switching to some nice 62 CC heads will bump compression by about 1 full point, and 58 CC heads will give you about 1.5.
I would suggest a set of 58CC aluminum heads that were common on the C4 Corvettes and come on the ZZ4 crate motors. http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?0=0&1=0&3=1020
You should end up with a compression ratio around 9.5:1. Change the cam to a much healthier version to match the new compression ratio and flow of the heads, maybe a better stall converter and some tuning and you should pick up some serious HP for under $1200.00.
Most likely they are 76 CC heads. Switching to some nice 62 CC heads will bump compression by about 1 full point, and 58 CC heads will give you about 1.5.
I would suggest a set of 58CC aluminum heads that were common on the C4 Corvettes and come on the ZZ4 crate motors. http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?0=0&1=0&3=1020
You should end up with a compression ratio around 9.5:1. Change the cam to a much healthier version to match the new compression ratio and flow of the heads, maybe a better stall converter and some tuning and you should pick up some serious HP for under $1200.00.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: 1980 corvette heads (The_Dude)
Is that a vortec head?
The Vortec heads only go down to 64 CC, and require a different intake manifold as well. I was looking at what was going to give the most bang for the buck.
You could go to a cast-iron Vortec head for cheaper, but then you wouldn't have the higher compression ratio, the weight savings and would need a new intake manifold as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 5
From: Nashville TN
Re: 1980 corvette heads (BSeery)
I put a set of L98 heads on my 77. Had them worked over by DS Engines in Clawson Michigan http://www.dsengine.com/
I really like them, compression did wonders for low end torque. I am running flat head pistons and pump gas without a problem
I really like them, compression did wonders for low end torque. I am running flat head pistons and pump gas without a problem
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,413
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From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: 1980 corvette heads (BSeery)
That head looks like a good economical option. I didn't want to go with a vortec head as I don't think I can get an intake manifold and carburetor combination that still uses the stock airfilter setup and will still fit under the hood. Thanks for the heads up. I'm planning on new heads and exhaust this spring/summer. :thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Re: 1980 corvette heads (dman535)
How do you like the L98 heads? I spoke to another guy that did the same swap on his '82 and really liked the results. I sort of wish I had gone this route on my 1980. I have the DART Iron Eagle heads.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: 1980 corvette heads (frosty80vette)
Stock '80 heads are the relatively thin cast iron #624, 'smog' heads which are prone to cracking if subjected to over heating of much magnitude.
I think the new Edelbrock aluminum 'vortec' type head would really be a nice way to go, if you have the bucks, otherwise you've already been given what are amoung your best options, and that is the aluminum stock chevy head or the Vortec heads. I don't think the difference between the 58cc and the 64cc head will result in a really noticable difference in performance.
I think the new Edelbrock aluminum 'vortec' type head would really be a nice way to go, if you have the bucks, otherwise you've already been given what are amoung your best options, and that is the aluminum stock chevy head or the Vortec heads. I don't think the difference between the 58cc and the 64cc head will result in a really noticable difference in performance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 5
From: Nashville TN
Re: 1980 corvette heads (TedH)
I actually took off a set of World Sportsmen II 2.02 72cc heads to put the L98 heads on. The swap was really a means to clean up a poorly chosen engine package. I needed to bump up my compression and those heads seemed the easiest way to do it. DS Engines did a valve job, milled the heads and did all the port work. I really notice a difference off the line, lots more low end torque. No real installation issues, still amazes me the weight difference cast aluminum to cast iron.
Did you go with the 72cc or 64 cc Iron eagle heads ?
Did you go with the 72cc or 64 cc Iron eagle heads ?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
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Re: 1980 corvette heads (dman535)
and did all the port work
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 5
From: Nashville TN
Re: 1980 corvette heads (Twin_Turbo)
They only did the first part of the port 9judging from those pics) ??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 5
From: Nashville TN
Re: 1980 corvette heads (Ganey)
[QUOTE]If you have the L-48, do cam first. QUOTE]
I think in many cases you need to get a game plan together. These L98 heads with a stock cam could lead to detonation issues, depending on the pistons that are being run. I had a problem on the other end of the scale, to big a cam without enough compression.
This is where the help of a professional engine builder comes into play, they do this stuff all day long and know the combinations to horsepower and torque.
I think in many cases you need to get a game plan together. These L98 heads with a stock cam could lead to detonation issues, depending on the pistons that are being run. I had a problem on the other end of the scale, to big a cam without enough compression.
This is where the help of a professional engine builder comes into play, they do this stuff all day long and know the combinations to horsepower and torque.
