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I've got the top end off of my 306 and I'm window shopping on some aftermarket heads.What is the best true "bolt on" head that doesn't need a whole bunch of extra parts and hassle to get running and is a reasonable price?
What aftermarket head is the best bang for the buck?
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if you dont want to spend alot of $$$ windsor jr/roush 180
You'll need to know what kind of effect the new heads will have on your compression. The Trick Flow Twisted Wedge is a very nice head for the price. The problem is it has a 61cc combustion chamber which may drop your compression a bit. I also think the Windsor Jr.'s are a good head for the price and believe they have something in the range of a 58cc chamber. Find out the cc of your current combustion chambers and go from there. Many of the heads have 64cc chambers that could really drop your compression.
One other thing is piston to valve clearance. Most 2.02 intake valve heads will cause a problem with true flat top pistons. Do your pistons have valve reliefs cut into them? If so are they cut for a 2.02 valve? The twisted wedge is the only 2.02 valve head that would most likely clear with a reasonable cam. Heads with a smaller intake valve like the Windsor Jr. may be your only choice. Even then you may run into p/v clearance issues.
You may end up needing different length push rods with whatever head you choose.
Keeping your compression up or even bumping it up a little if it's low and a intake valve that will clear the pistons should be your big concerns. Once you find heads that are acceptable in those areas you can start to narrow things down based on flow #'s, dyno comparisons, what similar combos have run at the track, etc.
One other thing is piston to valve clearance. Most 2.02 intake valve heads will cause a problem with true flat top pistons. Do your pistons have valve reliefs cut into them? If so are they cut for a 2.02 valve? The twisted wedge is the only 2.02 valve head that would most likely clear with a reasonable cam. Heads with a smaller intake valve like the Windsor Jr. may be your only choice. Even then you may run into p/v clearance issues.
You may end up needing different length push rods with whatever head you choose.
Keeping your compression up or even bumping it up a little if it's low and a intake valve that will clear the pistons should be your big concerns. Once you find heads that are acceptable in those areas you can start to narrow things down based on flow #'s, dyno comparisons, what similar combos have run at the track, etc.
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One thing you might want to consider, regardless of which heads you choose, is a custom cam. After spending about half an hour on the phone with Jay Allen, there is really a lot more to making power than just heads, the cam has a lot to do with it as well, but there is a lot more to it than just duration and lift. After I had already purchased my heads, and it was too late, I talked to Jay about the cam he designed for me. At the same time he told me of a complete package he sells, Canfield heads (not sure which model now), his cam, and matching springs all for roughly $1600.
It's a good deal when you consider the fact that a set of AFR's go for over 1300 with junk valve springs. and he says these heads will actually make more power on a 302 with one of his cams. Here you'll now exactly what to expect and there is no guess work. Check out his sight www.camshaftinnovations.com
If anything, just contact him via email or send in a build sheet, tell him what you want to do, or what you want to accomplish e.t. wise, and he can set you on the right path.
It's a good deal when you consider the fact that a set of AFR's go for over 1300 with junk valve springs. and he says these heads will actually make more power on a 302 with one of his cams. Here you'll now exactly what to expect and there is no guess work. Check out his sight www.camshaftinnovations.com
If anything, just contact him via email or send in a build sheet, tell him what you want to do, or what you want to accomplish e.t. wise, and he can set you on the right path.
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Wow where did you get the E-brocks for $1200?.Around here the local speed shops want about $2000
[/quote]Wow where did you get the E-brocks for $1200?.Around here the local speed shops want about $2000
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...Those where the heads I was thinking about and I'm surprised nobody mentioned them yet.My current heads are 1969 units with 58-60cc chambers and I'm running a stock type flat top piston that probably wouldn't work with 2.02 valves.
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The E-brocks are a good head for the price. They have also recently been improved from what I hear. Edelbrock always seems to have great quality.
The Trick Flows will clear with their 2.02 intakes where others will not. Inline valve 2.02 heads will most likely be out of the question with those pistons.
I don't think you can go wrong with the E-bock's or TFS heads.
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The E-brocks are a good head for the price. They have also recently been improved from what I hear. Edelbrock always seems to have great quality.
The Trick Flows will clear with their 2.02 intakes where others will not. Inline valve 2.02 heads will most likely be out of the question with those pistons.
I don't think you can go wrong with the E-bock's or TFS heads.
I've read a lot of stuff written by Jay. Seems to be one of the best around and has a loyal following of very happy and successful customers. I'm quite impressed with his reputation and will most likely be in touch with him on a future build. Read about a pump gas solid flat tappet 289 he built that ran 10.7 or .8 first time off the trailer in a 3,200 lbs car on motor. Shifted it at only 7,200 rpm if I remember right. He claimed it was built with "junk parts" he had lying around.
Jay has built some very powerful motors with the Canfields. The problem is that the Canfield is an inline valve head with 2.02 intakes and a port designed for that size intake valve. Trouble for a true flat top piston. I think Jay could design a cam that will clear and run very well. However, this guy may just want to take on a head swap at this point.
I'd be really interested to find out more about this 289 build... do you have a link to anything on it?On 2006-04-07 12:28, 289nate wrote:
...Read about a pump gas solid flat tappet 289 he built that ran 10.7 or .8 first time off the trailer in a 3,200 lbs car on motor. Shifted it at only 7,200 rpm if I remember right. He claimed it was built with "junk parts" he had lying around.I'm sure you'll be very pleased.![]()
Motorhead, it was on hardcore50.com. Good site. Thing is most couldn't tell you the difference between a '65 'stang and a '71. Almost all 5.0 boys there. The search function doesn't go back far enough to get the post. Jay is definitely legit.
My memory tells me it was something along the lines of 11:1 comp, 93 octane, .030 289, stock crank, stock rods with ARP bolts, some cheap forged pistons (maybe TRW's), sft cam of his design, Vic Jr. (ported ?), 750 holley dp, light flywheel, light damper, Canfield heads (ported ?), manual tranny, 4.30 gears, and I don't know what else. Said he had some of the parts lying around and decided to throw the "junk" together. Don't remember the 60 ft. It was him describing this build that made very interested in his posts. This is also not one of his most impressive builds.
It's funny that he seems just as happy designing a cam for the average guy as he does for a big name racer. There are three cam grinders that seem to be of this caliber. Jay Allen of Camshaft Innovations, Ed Curtis of Flow Tech Induction, and Buddy Rawls. Don't think you could go wrong with any of them.
My memory tells me it was something along the lines of 11:1 comp, 93 octane, .030 289, stock crank, stock rods with ARP bolts, some cheap forged pistons (maybe TRW's), sft cam of his design, Vic Jr. (ported ?), 750 holley dp, light flywheel, light damper, Canfield heads (ported ?), manual tranny, 4.30 gears, and I don't know what else. Said he had some of the parts lying around and decided to throw the "junk" together. Don't remember the 60 ft. It was him describing this build that made very interested in his posts. This is also not one of his most impressive builds.
It's funny that he seems just as happy designing a cam for the average guy as he does for a big name racer. There are three cam grinders that seem to be of this caliber. Jay Allen of Camshaft Innovations, Ed Curtis of Flow Tech Induction, and Buddy Rawls. Don't think you could go wrong with any of them.
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I went to Ed first but his communication is $h!tty. He doesn't except phone calls and his emails are short and unimfornative. Jay takes the time out of his day to talk one on one with his customers and gives detailed responses. He'll work with you and design the cam how you want. It's a little more pricey from Jay but I think it's worth the extra money.
another vote for Edelbrock. Put a set on my Maverick's 302 (when it had a 302...years ago). Went from ported/hogged C9 351w heads to the Edelbrock RPM 2.02 heads..and picked up .7 and 6 mph with no other changes other than a timing adjustment.
later on, I put a bigger carb on, solid roller, and RPM intake and the gain was a full second and 9 mph. Not bad if I do say so myself. Went from 8.20 in the 1/8 to 7.15 and from 86 mph to 95. My father has them now on his Fear-mont 331 SBF...runs 6.70's on alky at 107 mph. They're worn out (guides are worn) but they still work great.
Oh, and pricing....Jegs has the RPM heads for under $1100 ready to go.
_________________
"it is better to appear ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"--Mark Twain
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: mavman on 4/8/06 11:15am ]</font>
later on, I put a bigger carb on, solid roller, and RPM intake and the gain was a full second and 9 mph. Not bad if I do say so myself. Went from 8.20 in the 1/8 to 7.15 and from 86 mph to 95. My father has them now on his Fear-mont 331 SBF...runs 6.70's on alky at 107 mph. They're worn out (guides are worn) but they still work great.
Oh, and pricing....Jegs has the RPM heads for under $1100 ready to go.
_________________
"it is better to appear ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"--Mark Twain
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: mavman on 4/8/06 11:15am ]</font>
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I would take a look at canfield 18* street/strip heads. they have 1.94/1.60 valves
frdnut, you need a road trip to the states. Get whatever cyl head there either from Summit or Jegs. Spend a few days sightseeing then bring them back duty and tax free and you'll save.
That's what I did when I got my VJ heads for the 408 I did up for the Granada a few years back, no way I was spending the coin for them up here...........too much $$$$$$.
Tony
That's what I did when I got my VJ heads for the 408 I did up for the Granada a few years back, no way I was spending the coin for them up here...........too much $$$$$$.
Tony
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