I currently have a set of rebuilt and ported(by myself) smblock 400 heads. They have 76cc chambers and after research they are giving me 8.2:1 comp....BADDDDD.

Today I stopped by a well known machine in the area and a good guy that I knew for a while is offering me double hump heads from the 60's that would have minor porting but with all new guides,head is in ready to use condition for $600 canadian with the trade in of my 71' 400 heads.

Should I accept and get the heads. I know they will give me better gains( cr w/double humps would be a total of 9.3:1) than my current heads however I am wondering if anyone knows of aftermarket heads that would outflow the camelhumps, have around 64cc chambers or ports, 1.94/1.50 or preferred 1.60 valves, and basically be really good for hp and trq low to mid range. I heard and seen those heads in the jegs catalog like torqer and other brands but they all seem to me like normal oem style heads.

HOWEVER !!! I will be getting $1000 canadian in a week so they have to be around $500 U.S. but REALLY GOOD FLOWING low to mid range with possible 420 horsepower+ and 420 lbtrq +

***I dont want vortecs because i already bought a new EPS intake****

thanks in advance for any suggestions..

 

those world sportsman II seem awesome.
With 9.5:1 I think I could easily reach 400+ trq and hp with my cam and setup.
They are only $285 bare...nice...are these good heads though???

 

For the price of aftermarket heads these days, I would consider nothing but Aluminium. A good set of heads is a wise investment.

AFR 195's would be my first choice...but a bit pricey


The Holley 23 degree Aluminium heads are very nice. Fairly reasonable price. ARP screw in studs and a good quality Dual valve springs.

Performer RPM's might be OK, very competivly priced. Good castings...but the hardware and springs are rather low quality. Generic screw in studs ( Look like Pioneers ) that are not even flat ground for Poly Locks. Single Dual spring w\dampner.... known to float valves below 6,000 RPM even with a mild cam.

For a serious motor you have to scrap the studs, springs and retainers. At that point you may as well buy the Holley heads.

PS: With Aluminium heads you can easily run 10.3 to 10.5 CR on the street with pump gas. Mohawk 94 recommended.

 

I'd say get the sportsman 2's, you can get alumminum sportsman 2's also.

 

I have had really good luck with Trickflow 23 degree heads. I have seen many engines with AFR cylinder head and not one of them ran worth a ****. I don't know if it is the cylinder head, the builder or the complete combo. But a buddy has a 350 with 10.0 compression with the Trickflow heads and a victor jr intake and 750 carb with a cam grind that is older the my grandpa's moonshine. And it run mid 11's at 3200lbs

 

I don't know but Ive got A nice set of never used trickflow 23 kd 64cc for sale just email me at juggernaut_69@hotmail.com and we'll talk.

 

I'm thinking that it's gotta be the builder ( amatuer )or the combo if AFR's are running badly. They are without a doubt one of the best. Time after time they come out on top in Cylinder head comparisons.

I suspect that the builders are making the basic mistake of..."If big is good....bigger must be better" and selecting too large of an AFR head for their combo. The AFR 190's and 195's have better flow figures than many competitors 215's or 225's. If the builder selected larger AFR heads ( such as 215's or 225's ) and didn't have enough engine or gear to support them...then of course they would have problems. 190's are more than sufficient for your typical bracket racer with a 350 or 400. Anything larger....you better have a serious motor.

Most PRO builders will recommend AFR at the drop of a hat.

 

I guess it depends on who you talk to. My engine builder and other engine builders that I have talk to really don't like the AFR heads. I don't know much about them but I have seen alot of combos chevys and ford with them that don't run worth a shiit.

 

Just about anything you can do to get rid of the 400 heads will make your car run better. You DO NOT want the double-humps from the 60s, UNLESS they're from 69-up and have the accessory bolt holes. If they don't have the holes, you can't use them.

Here's what to look for.

Whoa!!! I have no idea what that pic is, it certainly didn't come from my hard drive.... let's try this again.

{edit} Much better now!!!

 

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i love my sportsman IIs. a real kick in the pants

 

Maybe AFRs machined done to get you that high compression they are very expensive.

 

As soon as I read he had double hump heads, I knew you'd be all over it RB!!!

I've been on this board WAAAY too long......