I am thinking about building a 427 SBC for my '86 Firebird and was wondering if anyone has any recomendations for the heads I should use. I am leaning toward the Motown 220 heads because they flow well and have larger runners; something a large small block needs. Any other suggestions? Oh yeah, I'm wanting this to run on the street and am only planning on making around 500 HP, or course if I make more I sure wouldn't mind.

 

AFR 220's or 227's would be good. Also Brodix track 1's would be nice. 500 horsepower is a really lowball figure for a small block 427.

 

Well how much should I expect with a hydraulic cam that's streetable? (I'm not even sure how big of a cam I want I just know I want it to be streetable and hydraulic because I don't know how to adjust the rockers every 5,000 miles.)

 

The world products 427ci smallblocks make something in the neighborhood of 550 and 590 horsepower with a hydraulic cam.

 

Where can I see those stats. and find out what cam they are using? I would be content with that kind of power...

 

Just wondering what your budget is for this project?

 

Budget? Good question. Around 4500. Now a friend of mine told me that he thought those heads might flow to much for what I was wanting, which was a streetable 427 SBC, because that much flow would kill my bottom end torque. Forcing me to go with a high stall just to get off the line.... He claims the lower the flow numbers the more low end torque you'll have. His case in point is his 355, which has some stock 400 heads tha flow like 135cc on the intake side and he has good low end torque. Personally I think he's just lucky having that much power at all with those heads but what's everyone else's opinion? Will having that high flowing of heads be too much for a streetable motor? Do I need to go with 200cc heads?

 

Your friend needs to get his head checked . Big block heads have way, way larger intake runners than 200cc and still have gobs of torque. Remember how many cubes you are dealing with. A friend of mine runs Brodix 220cc track 1's on a considerably smaller (383) displacement engine and he has more low end torque than you can shake a stick at. You are basically dealing with big block displacement, and most aftermarket big block heads flow way more than an afr 227 or brodix track 1 with larger intake runners and valves to boot. If you want to feed a 427ci small block you will need a good flowing set of cylinder heads.

 

your looking for high flow numbers WITH high velocity and swirl. AFR has it all, they make GREAT street heads!!!!! use the 220. and while your spending cash throw in a roller cam too to compliment those cubes. its too bad you want to use hydrolic but they are easier to maintane. chose somewhere in the area of 235*-245* at .050" . also look for a cam that has 104-106 lobe seperation to pick up some more torque and power, if you plan on an excellent exhaust. Comp has a line of cams called "TLS" cams but they are solid and the engine has to idle at 1000 rpms or above because of the fast opening rate these cams; or you'll wipe the lobes off.
low flow numbers just hurt everything especially if they have large runners(200cc+).

 

i agree.. go with AFR 220's or 227's.. i have 195s on my 406 and love them.. i was thinkign baout going from a 406 to 427.. but the $$ to do it was to much.. so im just going to get a procharger/inercooler.. and tun the nitrous down to 100 shot