Performance heads for stock 85????

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Dec 6, 2001 | 02:05 PM

#21

ralph

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 1999

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From: somers, ny

Re: Performance heads for stock 85???? (dtorc4)

Quote:

What size combustion chanber do stock L98 iron heads have, what compression (8.5-1, right?), and what CC would you recommend on new heads? :cheers:

Based on my 85, i believe you can go to a 58cc chamber and .028 head gasket and be around 11:1. I ordered 60cc chambers on mine. The original 85 iron heads were 76cc with a .020 steel shim head gasket.

Dec 6, 2001 | 02:34 PM

#22

dtorc4

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 5,302

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From: Atlanta GA

Re: Performance heads for stock 85???? (ralph)

Thanks for the info Beach and Ralph... Those AFRs are awesome! I am going to try and be patient and see if I can pick up a pair off ebay or the forum... anybody know someone who has a set for sale???

Dec 6, 2001 | 02:46 PM

#23

mean8t

Racer

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 472

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From: Tampa Bay Area

Re: Performance heads for stock 85???? (dtorc4)

Quote:

yes Josh, this helps tremendously. Where can I find info, prices, etc. on AFR 190's?

Josh, just out of curiosity, have you ever run the vortecs, or are you perhaps a dealer for them? I am just asking b/c of your apparent enthrallment about these heads. Nothing against ya though :D :cheers:

:lol: :lol: :lol: I am not a dealer for Vortec, but have done a lot of research on the subject of heads, and have found for the money (which I am also on a tight budget, the TPI conversion has cost me about 3 grand and I am pushing the limit to get it down) the Vortec head has now comparison. Yes the AFR is a considerably better flowing head, but the Vortec will flow enough out of the box to make 425hp. That is simply amazing for ~$500 (that includes the mods to support .565" lift). You could spend more money on port and runner work and some 2.00"/1.55" pro-flo valves and you could be in the same range as the AFR 190's. Also a little known fact is the combustion chamber shape is opitmized for flat top pistons (~10:1 cr) so the fast burn nature of the chamber supports much higher compression numbers than a normal head. All this considered I am using them for my project.

Dec 7, 2001 | 05:59 PM

#24

dtorc4

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Joined: Oct 2001

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From: Atlanta GA

Re: Performance heads for stock 85???? (mean8t)

ttt

Does anyone have any other suggestions than Vortec and AFR?? :cheers:

Dec 7, 2001 | 11:19 PM

#25

cohocarl

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 865

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From: Auburn Michigan

Re: Performance heads for stock 85???? (dtorc4)

Quote:

ttt

Does anyone have any other suggestions than Vortec and AFR?? :cheers:

The Edelbrock Performer RPM sounds like a decent head for the money, and I haven't heard good or bad about TrickFlow's, but they're a little less expensive.

Vortec intake bolt pattern......I've read where you can drill out and tap Vortec heads to accept pre-87 intakes, but the intake port's shape is a little different than the pre-87 intakes. The S.D. Vortec tpi base would be nice, but I have a hard time justifying $400.00 for a base.

Dec 7, 2001 | 11:49 PM

#26

dtorc4

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Joined: Oct 2001

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From: Atlanta GA

Re: Performance heads for stock 85???? (cohocarl)

Quote:

The S.D. Vortec tpi base would be nice, but I have a hard time justifying $400.00 for a base.

I don't considering that a big mouth is $450 :D

Can the Edelbrocks or the Trick Flows accept the TPI base or Big mouth w/ no mods?

Dec 8, 2001 | 08:08 AM

#27

traxx1

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Joined: Apr 2001

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From: glendale Arizona

Re: Performance heads for stock 85???? (dtorc4)

Why not buy the complete vortec motor @ $2100 and the scruggins adapter ? you will start out with 330 hp on a new motor that has a warrenty all for a total of about $2500.

:jester :jester :jester :jester

Dec 8, 2001 | 02:50 PM

#28

mean8t

Racer

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 472

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From: Tampa Bay Area

Re: Performance heads for stock 85???? (traxx1)

Because for the same price he could use his stock bottom end and a new cam, Vortec heads, SD base, runners and TB and be in the 380-400hp range. The cam is extremely weak on that motor and really holds the set up back. Since GM doesn't offer modified Vortec heads, they don't off a motor with those heads and a cam over .450" lift.