I am trying to find a set of 305 HO heads, and was wondering if anybody knew the GM part #? I've been trying a bunch of google searches but i cant find anything useful. I dont want the regular 305 heads, but specifically the 305 HO heads. Thanks!

 

don't know the gm part number but look for the casting number on the head ending in either 601 or 416. these are the best 305 heads.

 

601 & 416 are the Pre-87 305 heads. The 081 is 87+ center bolt valve cover style.

i personally think the Vortec 305 heads are the best. Ending in 059 or 520.

 

the 416 are the most common on the ho, i have a set that is already ported polished and gasket matched with 194's machined in, they peform pretty well.

 

I've been doing a lot of research, but i'm still a little confused. Will the 601's fit on an 89 305 even though its not pre-87?

 

Any head will fit on any block.

 

Yes, however you will need the old style valve covers which are perimeter bolt and a pre-87 intake which are pretty easy to come by.

 

I think what i'm gonna do is get the 416's from a guy i know and some nice valve covers and hopefully an edelbrock intake manifold to fit

 

if i get a set of 601 or 416 heads and install them with the matching intake manifold and no other mods do i need to get a chip for my car? i have no clue on chips nor tuning. i dont understand the computer aspec fully to be messing with it. if i bolt the heads and pre '87 stock intake up and do nothing else will i have any problems running the stock computer?

in the future id like to do a LT1 cam swap and i know it would be easier to do when i swap the heads out as all the disassembly will be done.

can i run the lt1 cam and 601 or 416 heads without messing with the computer. i know it wont be to its fullest but will it hurt anything?

if i do need to tune/get a chip...would a chip from say tbichips.com suffice?

 

I'm sure you would need to tune for them as those heads have totally different air flow characteristics as the stock L03 187 head. They would probably need more fuel and timing added i'm guessing. I wouldn't do it unless the camshaft was changed as well. You probably wouldn't make any more power either. In fact, you would probably lose some of your low end torque. You could use TBI chips, but its always best to do it yourself if you are trying to get the full potential out of your setup.

 

i would ty it myself but its so darn confusing. i dont understand all the air to fuel ratio stuff and everything else that goes along with it. if i had someone show me and work with me on it them im more apt to learn it. especially when it comes to computers. i wouldnt even know where to start and reading up on it here might as well all be in chinese cause i dont understand it at all unfortunately.

so if i swapped heads and cam i wouldnt gain any horsepower at all?? really?? then why is it a popular topic on this forum?

 

If you did both heads and cam you would if its tuned well enough. I thought you weren't going to swap the cam and only do the heads.

 

id like to do both at the same time. bt i thought these eads were the root cause why te LO3 305's were so underpowered? so my thinking was to swap the cause of the underpoweredness out and maybe see some beter power.

 

I'd say that the dinky camshaft and stock exhaust are more to blame than anything. These heads were designed for low end torque. You can pickup a decent power gain with headers and full 3" catback.

 

about the LT1 cam swap what can u tell me about that and is there a spot on here were all the info is in one spot like the v6 guys haha im one of the v6s guys btw

 

Follow this:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...-ultimate.html

 

thanks and do u have to have a roller motor

 

Well as it turns out i was given the 14022601, atleast they were free. From what you've said blue, these are pre 87 heads. So when i go shopping for an intake manifold i just need to get one for like say an 86 TBI 305? Is it really that simple?

 

You could just pickup a standard edelbrock performer carb intake (2101) and a TBI adapter plate. I just sold that intake a couple months ago, they are plentiful and cheap. If you plan to keep your EGR you will need a different manifold (3701). The TBI specific intakes are for 87+ head bolt pattern.

It is my understanding that 601's that are ported, polished and setup properly flow pretty well and can produce decent power with the right camshaft.

 

I seriously doubt you would have to tune for those heads and cam to get it running. I have done this swap on a TBI 5 speed 89 Firebird with nothing more than the TBI FREE Fuel pressure regulator mod and it ran really good! No tuning is my vote

BTW. I used the crane 2040 compucam.. roller style which is a little hotter than the LT cam I believe.

 

Depending on your location, I have a set of Vortec 059 heads.. Cheap, too..