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best of the 2 heads to use for a 355

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Old 07-14-2003, 07:39 PM
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best of the 2 heads to use for a 355

i have an 86 ta w/a mid 70's 350 take to a 355, my question is which heads would get get the best overall performance from

A: 87-91 1.84/1.5 58 cc chambers

or

B: 72-73 1.74/1.5 76 cc chambers
Old 07-14-2003, 07:53 PM
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A.
Old 07-14-2003, 08:44 PM
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thanks, thats what i have on now, just wanted a second opinion
Old 07-15-2003, 02:01 AM
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A's ported and with a larger intake valve (1.94).
Old 07-15-2003, 04:15 AM
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A: has 1.84/1.5 according to the casting numbers i got off the heads, also their 305 heads.
Old 07-15-2003, 02:37 PM
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what are the casting #'s?
Old 07-15-2003, 09:10 PM
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Personally in my opinion neither one of the heads are good. If your using a stock cam the 305 head would be better cause you would pick up some power with the smaller chamber raising the compression. But for the record the ports in a 305 head sucks. Now days the better heads to get are Vortecs, yes you have to run a diffrent intake and yes the springs aren't good for more than around .450 lift but they'll out flow a old iron head with 2.02 1.60 valves.
Old 07-15-2003, 11:03 PM
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Take a grinder to the ports and stuff in some bigger valves and some 305 heads will flow pretty good... on the lines of a vortec head.
Old 07-15-2003, 11:33 PM
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Originally posted by trans_am_racing
A: has 1.84/1.5 according to the casting numbers i got off the heads, also their 305 heads.
I was meaning add the larger intake valve, it adds a lot more flow potential.
Old 07-16-2003, 10:52 AM
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Originally posted by Cronic3rd
Take a grinder to the ports and stuff in some bigger valves and some 305 heads will flow pretty good... on the lines of a vortec head.
I sorta doubt that considering a Vortec head has raised and much bigger intake ports which keep the fuel atomized better and they also use a diffrent designed chamber to give more power.
Old 07-16-2003, 11:47 AM
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I didn't say that they were better heads just that with porting they could put up the same flow #'s. Do a search on f-bird'88 he is the one that posted the numbers.
Old 07-16-2003, 11:50 AM
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It is a moot point if those heads are swirlports though.
Old 07-19-2003, 10:20 AM
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I wouldn't spend one cent on either of those two castings if you looking for power. I think the Vortecs would be the better choice.
Old 07-19-2003, 10:40 AM
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casting number

14102187 is the casting # on 305 58 cc heads
Old 07-19-2003, 11:54 AM
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icky icky icky swirlports. baaaaaaddddd swirlports. use the 350 head.
Old 07-20-2003, 01:57 PM
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Those 305 heads would probably need the centerbolt valve covers too I bet.

The better 305 heads to look for are the #416's.. they have the same 58cc chambers and same size valves, but are not swirl port heads. These are the heads used on the L69 (HO) engine, but was used on many other 305s too, I'm sure.
Old 07-20-2003, 04:53 PM
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601, 801, and 081 are other good casting 305 heads.
Old 07-20-2003, 05:06 PM
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I guess it would be more cost effective to
get vortecs with matching intake.
Or just get s/r torquers.. and be happy.
Old 07-21-2003, 04:32 PM
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yeah $469 and some change for a pair of complete vortec's, they will flow much better than either one of those, i'll bet on it.

www.gmpartsdirect.com

part # 12558060

and 305 heads would have to be THROUGHLY worked to ever match the flow #'s of vortec heads.
Old 07-22-2003, 09:35 AM
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Originally posted by Cronic3rd
icky icky icky swirlports. baaaaaaddddd swirlports. use the 350 head.
Even swirlports would be better than those 70's smog heads. There would be no point in trying to port either one, though.
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