Dart Heads
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Dart Heads
Howdy:
Any chance of opening another discussion about these heads? I've attached a flow chart I received from Dart. With the FULL KNOWLEDGE that these flows are not everything, Dart is the big name in the BB Chevy world of drag racing. They make an outstanding product and I'm wondering if there are merits to installing these heads. Price is right, but price isn't everything! I think I read somewhere in the Forums about stock valve train components couldn't be used. That my negate some of the cost savings if true.
Thanks,
Rossi
Any chance of opening another discussion about these heads? I've attached a flow chart I received from Dart. With the FULL KNOWLEDGE that these flows are not everything, Dart is the big name in the BB Chevy world of drag racing. They make an outstanding product and I'm wondering if there are merits to installing these heads. Price is right, but price isn't everything! I think I read somewhere in the Forums about stock valve train components couldn't be used. That my negate some of the cost savings if true.
Thanks,
Rossi
Last edited by Rossi396; Oct 9, 2009 at 09:23 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
One thing to consider. With any aftermarket head that has bronze valve guides installed, the valve train geometry will be critical. As lift increases with an aftermarket cam, it becomes difficult to get a good geometry with the stock rockers (I gave up) so that aftermarket rockers come into play. If the geometry is off, then valve guide wear will be accelerated. Not sure that answers your question, but you may find the rockers are a necessary evil if your cam lift is getting large.
I ran the Dart 205's for two years without any problems with them. They aren't the best head out of the box, but that is the trade-off for the price. There are some out there that can make them perform well, but then the price is at or above other aftermarket heads. Quality is good based on my experience, it is really a cost vs. performance trade-off like anything else in this hobby.
I ran the Dart 205's for two years without any problems with them. They aren't the best head out of the box, but that is the trade-off for the price. There are some out there that can make them perform well, but then the price is at or above other aftermarket heads. Quality is good based on my experience, it is really a cost vs. performance trade-off like anything else in this hobby.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I ran the Dart 205s for over a year on my 346 and even had them on my 383 for a while. The heads made some good results with my F14 cam in the 346. I was also impressed with the results on the 383. I used my stock rockers on them and retained them until I swapped for a more worked up head on my 383. The heads worked great for the price, and I was very pleased with the results. If you are looking for something slightly better than the TSP and Patriot heads, but do not want to spend for a well ported ls6, trickflow or AFR they are right on the money.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Sigforty:
Do you have details on the setup you were running on your 346? I'd like to see those numbers if you don't mind. Also, did you have to modify the stock rocker guides on the Dart's in any way?
Thanks,
Rossi
Do you have details on the setup you were running on your 346? I'd like to see those numbers if you don't mind. Also, did you have to modify the stock rocker guides on the Dart's in any way?
Thanks,
Rossi
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I know the shop that installed me had to grind down the locator tabs on the stock rocker supports because the darts have a much thicker base. They also took some time and angled the bolt holes in the dart heads to help with oil draining. Those were the only mods they did to make everything work.
