Need advice on heads....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral Fl.
Need advice on heads....
I've got an '85 A4. It now has a blown head gasket. I'm hoping to find a decent set of used heads but I have no idea what to look for. I'm a painter not a wrencher. I will be swapping the cam too. so any advice here would be great. Im not looking for a drag car here but anything that would get me close to 12's would be ideal. I'm aware that I'll need more than just heads and cam but I need to start somewhere. Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 3
From: Reading PA.
How about a set of GM Fast Burn heads and the Hot Cam and kit also from GM. Or check out the parts for sale area on this forum. Just saw some good used heads and cam packages on there the other day
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
you could try ebay or just buy a set of new aluminum assembled heads from a variety of online dealers (do a search). I picked up some quite nice CNC'd trickflow heads assembled and to my door for about $1100 and no wait.
If you're sticking with the TPI induction, you'll want to stay with a relatively small volume port and smaller chambers - being sure to doublecheck your compression and quench depending on the headgasket you want to use and the cam choice. You will not want to go too wild with the TPI as it won't breath over 5000 RPM (at the limit) anyway. So emphasize torque and enjoy it on the street.
First, find a reasonable set of aluminum heads with flow numbers, then call a cam company and talk to them about what you need to maximize the combo.
If you're sticking with the TPI induction, you'll want to stay with a relatively small volume port and smaller chambers - being sure to doublecheck your compression and quench depending on the headgasket you want to use and the cam choice. You will not want to go too wild with the TPI as it won't breath over 5000 RPM (at the limit) anyway. So emphasize torque and enjoy it on the street.
First, find a reasonable set of aluminum heads with flow numbers, then call a cam company and talk to them about what you need to maximize the combo.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: JUPITER FLORIDA
Originally Posted by Ramanstud
you could try ebay or just buy a set of new aluminum assembled heads from a variety of online dealers (do a search). I picked up some quite nice CNC'd trickflow heads assembled and to my door for about $1100 and no wait.
If you're sticking with the TPI induction, you'll want to stay with a relatively small volume port and smaller chambers - being sure to doublecheck your compression and quench depending on the headgasket you want to use and the cam choice. You will not want to go too wild with the TPI as it won't breath over 5000 RPM (at the limit) anyway. So emphasize torque and enjoy it on the street.
First, find a reasonable set of aluminum heads with flow numbers, then call a cam company and talk to them about what you need to maximize the combo.
If you're sticking with the TPI induction, you'll want to stay with a relatively small volume port and smaller chambers - being sure to doublecheck your compression and quench depending on the headgasket you want to use and the cam choice. You will not want to go too wild with the TPI as it won't breath over 5000 RPM (at the limit) anyway. So emphasize torque and enjoy it on the street.
First, find a reasonable set of aluminum heads with flow numbers, then call a cam company and talk to them about what you need to maximize the combo.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by cplonner
what kinda power is the tpi good up to?
Realistically moneywise, if you get 300+ at the crank youre doing good.
The best bet for the 86, if you dont want to get too serious, is to swap to the '113s available on 88-91 and have them ported. There is a thread on the page about converting to those heads.
86 has hyd. flat tappet cam, not a roller, so you'll need to call comp cams and look for something in the 211/219 range @050"
Of course that may not get you as far as you want because of the intake, so future mods like a TPiS base and AS&M Runners will be needed. Preferably you would do the base now while its all apart.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 18
From: Panhandle FL
I would not swap for a LT1 (which is what I have) it's so damn expensive. I paid $1800 just for my heads and had to send in core LT1 heads. If you don't care about fuel injection you could get a set of killer heads, intake, carb and cam and be pushing 400 hp no problem. All for less than $2k. The fuel injection, intake is the sticking point.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,469
Likes: 6
From: Winchester Ontario
I have a set of ported and polished 113's on my 383 stroker I'm thinking of taking off this winter and selling either on ebay or here on the forum.
If you're interested since I'm putting my car up soon I could take them off earlier. I am happy with the 113's but thinking of going bigger.
If you're interested since I'm putting my car up soon I could take them off earlier. I am happy with the 113's but thinking of going bigger.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Pro-Mo
Would a swap to a LT1 be more sensable? And if so is the swap more involved than just motor and computer?
The same intake is available for the regular SBC, as are others, it just depends on your power goals. If you only wanted high 12s, the recipe I gave you can get there with the right tires and practice.