Engine gurus: What heads to get?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
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From: OKC Oklahoma
Engine gurus: What heads to get?
I have the GM Goodwrench block with Vortec heads. I really want a 383 or 406, but can't bring myself to get rid of a virtually new engine. Anyway, I do want aluminum heads. With the Vortecs, the CR is 9.4:1(with .015" shimmed steel gaskets. The Vortecs have 64cc chambers and with the original heads that this engine came with, the compression ratio was 8.5:1. Most of the aftermarket aluminum heads are 64cc chambers or larger. I'd like to increase the compression ratio, so would shaving brand new heads make sense? Even though I'd like more displacement, I think I've resolved to stick with my stock bottom end-4 bolt main, PM rods...I also want to put in a stout roller cam. So, would it be goofy to shave a set of new heads and how many compression points do I raise in relation to the drop of the cc? Thanks... :chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Engine gurus: What heads to get? (gkull)
The problem with shaving aluminum heads to sub 64cc is there future use on other motors.
As you go up in displacement compression ratio rises with flat top pistons and the same cc head chamber size. Once you get into 400+ ci small blocks you have to run dished piston with 64 cc heads to keep compression less than 11-1
IMO - I will never put money into hot rodding motors smaller than 380 ci. I've wasted lots of money over the years making 355 ci go fast.
As you go up in displacement compression ratio rises with flat top pistons and the same cc head chamber size. Once you get into 400+ ci small blocks you have to run dished piston with 64 cc heads to keep compression less than 11-1
IMO - I will never put money into hot rodding motors smaller than 380 ci. I've wasted lots of money over the years making 355 ci go fast.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Engine gurus: What heads to get? (79VetteMike)
Fast burn heads have 62cc chambers so those would get you up a touch or you can get alum vette heads with 58cc chambers but they do not flow as well as your vortec heads from what I have read.
