Which heads?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 43
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Which heads?
So here's the deal, after nailing an overheating problem (timing was just a "hair" off), fixing all of the leaks, painting the intake and valve covers and getting 2nd in a car show, I think I'm ready to start getting into the fun stuff. So as a foundation for some intake and exhaust mods I will be doing, I thought it would be a good idea to upgrade the cam and heads (all while keeping it looking as stock as possible). I use the car as my daily driver and I occasionally take it to the track to play with (after all, whats the point of having a Corvette if you don't get to have fun?).
I went to start looking at the heads on Summit, and there were so many choices I had no idea what I should get. I don't want to be doing too much work to get them to fit. I would like them to be as easy to install as possible while giving me better flow than the stock cast iron heads that I have. I also think I found the cam that I want. It is here on ebay.
I have done heads before with no problems on my Camaro's L98 and the head on an I6 Ford but all I did was get them refinished, throw a fresh gasket on there and bolt it back on. I have never upgraded heads before so this is all new to me.
I went to start looking at the heads on Summit, and there were so many choices I had no idea what I should get. I don't want to be doing too much work to get them to fit. I would like them to be as easy to install as possible while giving me better flow than the stock cast iron heads that I have. I also think I found the cam that I want. It is here on ebay.
I have done heads before with no problems on my Camaro's L98 and the head on an I6 Ford but all I did was get them refinished, throw a fresh gasket on there and bolt it back on. I have never upgraded heads before so this is all new to me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Unless you are planning other big mods you are prob looking at a 160 -180 cc intake port head.
The detail is in whether you want to keep or raise the CR while doing a heads swap , a smaller cc chamber head will give you more
CR without diving further into the engine.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
It is only another SBC ; any reg perimeter bolt SBC heads are going to fit fine.
Unless you are planning other big mods you are prob looking at a 160 -180 cc intake port head.
The detail is in whether you want to keep or raise the CR while doing a heads swap , a smaller cc chamber head will give you more
CR without diving further into the engine.
Unless you are planning other big mods you are prob looking at a 160 -180 cc intake port head.
The detail is in whether you want to keep or raise the CR while doing a heads swap , a smaller cc chamber head will give you more
CR without diving further into the engine.
I was thinking these would work- http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...make/chevrolet
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Fine except you need this special Vortec only TPI intake base
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3817/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-3817/
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
If the intake port requires a gasket bigger than a Felpro 1204 you'll need a new intake base. New heads mean a new cam, so make sure it's compatible with the long runner TPI intake design, or you'll need a new manifold with a shorter runner for higher rpm operation. Lot's to think about to maximize your build for desired purpose.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 621
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From: Texas
one that would work...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wr...make/chevrolet
I wouldn't go to small on the chambers. the 86 iron head motor has flat top pistons in it.
or this one if you want aluminum...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dr...make/chevrolet
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wr...make/chevrolet
I wouldn't go to small on the chambers. the 86 iron head motor has flat top pistons in it.
or this one if you want aluminum...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dr...make/chevrolet
Last edited by project C4; Aug 16, 2013 at 07:22 PM.