Question about cylinder head popularity.
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ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Earth, United States
Question about cylinder head popularity.
When it comes to aftermarket cylinder heads why are the Dart Pro1 Cylinder heads not as popular as AFR heads or Trickflow?
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From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
AFR and Trickflow are the top of the line and have made big numbers time and time again. From what I hear Dart heads work ok, but people go with what is proven to make power.
Last edited by 0331MARINE; Jan 9, 2010 at 06:33 PM.
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My understanding is that they actually are a pretty well-executed casting design, but in need a bit of detail work to get them on par with the other popular brands.
So, for "popularity", what becomes popular is when people buy things out of a box, bolt them on, and make big numbers.
The Darts probably won't do that, and they've had their share of issues...But that is not to say they don't have the potential.
If you know that going in, and know who to send them to (or buy them from) that can fix them up proper, and have the budget that could have afforded the other two brands in the first place, you will likely get your moneys worth out of the deal in the end.
But if you are attracted because of the low price, and just want something to bolt on right out of the box and expect to make big power, they are not for you.
So, for "popularity", what becomes popular is when people buy things out of a box, bolt them on, and make big numbers.
The Darts probably won't do that, and they've had their share of issues...But that is not to say they don't have the potential.
If you know that going in, and know who to send them to (or buy them from) that can fix them up proper, and have the budget that could have afforded the other two brands in the first place, you will likely get your moneys worth out of the deal in the end.
But if you are attracted because of the low price, and just want something to bolt on right out of the box and expect to make big power, they are not for you.
Thread Starter
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
My understanding is that they actually are a pretty well-executed casting design, but in need a bit of detail work to get them on par with the other popular brands.
So, for "popularity", what becomes popular is when people buy things out of a box, bolt them on, and make big numbers.
The Darts probably won't do that, and they've had their share of issues...But that is not to say they don't have the potential.
If you know that going in, and know who to send them to (or buy them from) that can fix them up proper, and have the budget that could have afforded the other two brands in the first place, you will likely get your moneys worth out of the deal in the end.
But if you are attracted because of the low price, and just want something to bolt on right out of the box and expect to make big power, they are not for you.
So, for "popularity", what becomes popular is when people buy things out of a box, bolt them on, and make big numbers.
The Darts probably won't do that, and they've had their share of issues...But that is not to say they don't have the potential.
If you know that going in, and know who to send them to (or buy them from) that can fix them up proper, and have the budget that could have afforded the other two brands in the first place, you will likely get your moneys worth out of the deal in the end.
But if you are attracted because of the low price, and just want something to bolt on right out of the box and expect to make big power, they are not for you.
thanks Tom. I think I may get a bare set and message them for my up and coming Stroker engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
I had a set of very early Dart 205's. I bought them when they first came out because of the low price, quality parts and good flow numbers. I bought them with the money I was saving for a set of AFR's. I didn't have a single problem with them and they delivered 25 hp over the 241's. However, a lot of guys who have bought them recently have had major issues with the guides being too sloppy and valves not sealing leading to performance and oil control issues. I don't understand why because Dart has a very good reputation but it seems their LSx heads aren't delivering. I have since bought my AFR heads that I originally wanted and sold the Darts. I don't regret buying the Darts as they taught me a lot about the motor such that when I ultimately did get the AFR's I was better able to optimize my setup. I also like messing with the motor so taking it apart twice to me was fun but to other may be a PITA.
There are a couple of builders out there who favor the Darts and can really make them perform, but in the end the cost will be on par or perhaps more then a set of out of the box AFR's.
A few other notes on the AFR's. I did check things like flatness of the milling on the heads and surface roughness to ensure I wouldn't have issues with the Cometic gaskets. They were pretty much perfect as delivered from AFR. Also, since you are in CA the AFR's do have a CARB EO#.
There are a couple of builders out there who favor the Darts and can really make them perform, but in the end the cost will be on par or perhaps more then a set of out of the box AFR's.
A few other notes on the AFR's. I did check things like flatness of the milling on the heads and surface roughness to ensure I wouldn't have issues with the Cometic gaskets. They were pretty much perfect as delivered from AFR. Also, since you are in CA the AFR's do have a CARB EO#.
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Thread Starter
ISIS SUCKS FAT CHOAD
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 53
From: Earth, United States
I had a set of very early Dart 205's. I bought them when they first came out because of the low price, quality parts and good flow numbers. I bought them with the money I was saving for a set of AFR's. I didn't have a single problem with them and they delivered 25 hp over the 241's. However, a lot of guys who have bought them recently have had major issues with the guides being too sloppy and valves not sealing leading to performance and oil control issues. I don't understand why because Dart has a very good reputation but it seems their LSx heads aren't delivering. I have since bought my AFR heads that I originally wanted and sold the Darts. I don't regret buying the Darts as they taught me a lot about the motor such that when I ultimately did get the AFR's I was better able to optimize my setup. I also like messing with the motor so taking it apart twice to me was fun but to other may be a PITA.
There are a couple of builders out there who favor the Darts and can really make them perform, but in the end the cost will be on par or perhaps more then a set of out of the box AFR's.
A few other notes on the AFR's. I did check things like flatness of the milling on the heads and surface roughness to ensure I wouldn't have issues with the Cometic gaskets. They were pretty much perfect as delivered from AFR. Also, since you are in CA the AFR's do have a CARB EO#.
There are a couple of builders out there who favor the Darts and can really make them perform, but in the end the cost will be on par or perhaps more then a set of out of the box AFR's.
A few other notes on the AFR's. I did check things like flatness of the milling on the heads and surface roughness to ensure I wouldn't have issues with the Cometic gaskets. They were pretty much perfect as delivered from AFR. Also, since you are in CA the AFR's do have a CARB EO#.
I plan on supercharging the engine. I'm not going to play around either, its getting oliver rods, callies dragon slayer crank or lunati crank (I havent decided yet) Obviously there will be sleeves pressed in ect. Next year I plan of registering the car in my home state of MI. Back to the heads, I had my stock heads worked and am very impressed with how well these bad boys turned out but I want more.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Thanks Vette Nuts. I wanted a casting that performed better the a LS6 casting right out of the box. Something I could have ported. guess I could just buy a set of AFR's and have em worked. you see the plan is to build a 427 CID LS1 (yeah I know there are easier methods to getting a 427 CID LSx engine) but I want to build it myself. I plan on supercharging the engine. I'm not going to play around either, its getting oliver rods, callies dragon slayer crank or lunati crank (I havent decided yet) Obviously there will be sleeves pressed in ect. Next year I plan of registering the car in my home state of MI. Back to the heads, I had my stock heads worked and am very impressed with how well these bad boys turned out but I want more.
I plan on supercharging the engine. I'm not going to play around either, its getting oliver rods, callies dragon slayer crank or lunati crank (I havent decided yet) Obviously there will be sleeves pressed in ect. Next year I plan of registering the car in my home state of MI. Back to the heads, I had my stock heads worked and am very impressed with how well these bad boys turned out but I want more.