ive already done a search and didnt turn up much, so heres my question. im getting a 84 camaro berlinetta for free , and it has a 305 im assuming a lg4 from what i read but what im trying to figure out is are these heads any good( i.e. performance wise) even if it means rebuilding them and putting in some better valves and springs. if anyone can help please chime in.

thomas

What did you search for? If you had searched for 416 heads you would have found that they are pretty good. Port them up and intall bigger valves and they will run good.

ill help out abit, from what I have read, the 416 cast 305 heads are THE BEST 85 and older Production head!!!

much the same as the 081 are the best Production head for 305 87+ (excluding the vette aluminum L98 heads which work on 305's)

so as stated search for posts from sittingbull, that should generate alot of info, also there is a tech artical on porting up the 305 heads as well.

The only V8 available in a 1984 Berlinetta would be the low compression LG4.

Heads certainly aren't what's holding back performance on that engine. 1st is the single-snorkel air cleaner, 2nd the exhaust. Then you can say cam and ignition (good tune-up and aftermarket coil and module are all that's required to get the ignition up to snuff - but it is necessary). Finally, you'll get to the heads, which just need the porting and larger valves already mentioned (and valve springs since you've now addressed the poor cam). Lastly, you could consider an intake upgrade, but unless you've done all the above first, don't bother with the intake. And, I suppose, the low compression dished pistons.

Notice I never mentioned the carb. Although it might need some slight tweaking, that's tuning, and doesn't require replacement.

'84 was also the first year of the electronic instruments, which may be the main reason for the great price for this car.

reason im asking is if they flow good enough and i put in bigger valves i would like to use it on a 355 im planning on building, im wanting to get at least 400hp or 450 hp out of it when im done will these heads do the job if i put said work into them.
also i work at a parts house that has a complete machine shop so the work being done wouldnt be a problem.

thanx again ,

thomas

nope, your better off getting something else. Heads make power you start with something like a 305 head and your looking to hurt power on a healthy 355, especially if 400hp is the goal.

Nope best to look into the aftermarket for a decent set of heads.

i was reading another post and it said if you were to put in bigger valves and ported them they would flow as good as vortecs ,is this not correct? or should i just go ahead and get a set of vortecs,i would prefer to get of AFR 190's but dont have the $1200 laying around to get those so which aftermarket head is the best bang for the buck and not as expensive as AFR's?
thanx guys for the responses,

thomas

I haven't done enough research to help you with that, someone who has used or researched the various heads would help more, but the thing is you work on the 416's and get them to follow as well as stock Vortec's, what would happen if you put the money into Vortecs or something similar, see how it's not so much the where you end up but where you start.

alot of names thrown around are AFR, DART, BRODIX.

Pro action lighting I think is another and cheaper stuff is World products I think.

do some searchs and you should find more info then you know what to do with.

Sometimes if you are trying to achieve a certain goal with your car, you just need to sit back and save a little Cash! Im 42 years young, Ive been building my car for about 3 yrs now. Im by no means wealthy. For me its been one thing at a time. I am now waiting on a good 9" rear.
If its worth having, its worth waiting for. Dont cut yourself short. Just my .02"s
Save for the AFR's, or Port the heck out of a set of Dart or World Sportsman11's