i know that the power that the heads create depends a lot on the cam, but I was just wondering if it would be worth it to get the S/R torquer heads, an intake manifold, and a new carb before I do a cam swap. I really don't want to spend the time and money doing a cam swap until I have to rebuild the engine. What kind of gains do you think I'd so with this? or should I just wait till I can do the cam at the same time?

 

Man, it is a perfect time to change the cam when doin all those mods, I'd save up a few extra bux, and do it.

OH, why the S/R Torquer heads, I hear they're not much better than stock, F-Bird88's heads would prolly be a lot better and cheaper too. And that money saved, would pay for your cam.

That's what I would do.

 

The reason for the S/R Torquer's was because I thought that the sportsman II's would flow too much with my currnet set up. And when I did the cam I was gonna port the hell out of them. But I guess if I do the cam at the same time I can go with some heads that will flow more. It's still gonna be a while before I get started on all this. I still have to find some time to get my damn headers on. oh BTW, how much HP do you think I'll have when all this is done?

 

Well, this is my take on it, if this is gonna take a while, why not just stick with puttin headers on for now.

And throw some nice heads and cam on a 350. And the headers will bolt right up..

 

The best back-to-back comparison I've seen of stock 305 and WP heads was a magazine article, including dyno pulls, with stock 3-angle valve job factory heads (the valve job actually made them better than stock), on a fresh .030"-over rebuilt 305 with Comp roller cam (they said it was "close" to stock), stock TPI, and long-tube 1-5/8" primary headers. The WP S/R Torquer 305 heads were treated to a pocket porting job (highly recommended at a minimum if you're considering these heads).

The Worlds made 50 hp more than the stock heads.

A better cam would certainly help you take better advantage of the heads.

Some other things to consider with regard to Mark's comments: Stock heads need 1.94" intake valves, which the Worlds already have. Stock heads have press-in rocker studs, which should be replaced with screw-in type and which the Worlds already have. Stock valve springs are performance junk, Worlds come with good springs and can be cheaply upgraded when you order the heads. Stock heads have poor casting quality control (porosity, core shift), while Worlds are very high quality castings. The World heads have modified combustion chamber shape for improved flame travel.

Since most everything that has to be taken off for the heads swap also has to be removed for the cam swap, it'll save time and gasket money to do heads & cam at the same time. I changed the intake manifold before doing the rest of my mods, but only because I had a coolant leak that needed to be addressed, and changing the intake manifold at that time was as easy as putting the original back on. Otherwise, doing all the mods at the same time was the route I chose.

Oh, we are talking World Products S/R Torquer 305 heads with 58cc chambers. The "normal" S/R Torquers have 64cc or 76cc chambers, and will kill compression on a 305. 2.02"/1.60" valves won't help you on a 305, either. Ported S/R Torquer 305's will flow all a streetable 305 will need.

My combo desktop dynos at 360 HP. That's a guesstimate, to be sure, and would represent gross flywheel horsepower. If you assume a 15% loss for net, that's still 300 HP. I haven't had it dyno'd, but I would believe a 75-100% increase in power over stock based purely on how it drives (and time slips that went from 17's to 15's at this altitude).

 

Dang, both of you reposted while I was writing mine.

Guess I'm too long-winded...

 

LOL. You must type like my bro, 2 fingers, using 1 on each hand. LOL, *** that irritates me when he's talkin to me on AIM.

 

And if you DO get the World S/R 305 heads, forget about the gaskets they sell or other FelPro sets. (Don't use the Fel-Pro 305 or 350 SBC head gaskets.) World will tell you that they interfere with the valves and flows because of the redesigned chamber on the S/Rs. They recommend 350 SBC head gaskets for clearance, but that will lower compression a bit. After a decent/long conversation with two engineers at World in New York (they are now in New York, not Michigan. Their web site doesn't really specify that, but Thomas Registers certainly does). I got their concession that stock GM 305 head gaskets will work with the heads and improve compression - as long as you use the most recent design GM head gasket. Apparently, the FelPro is patterned after some of the earlier smogger 305 gaskets and don't have the adequate clearance. Their only explanation was that GM constantly upgrades their parts, and the FelPro parts essentially remain the same. They stated that as long as there is perimeter sealing and no gasket overhanging into the chamber or valve area, go for it. I think we all learned something that day.

Plus, the GM stock gaskets are cheaper.

Sorry, I don't have the GM part number.

BTW - that car ran well with the Comp XE256H-12, but that ia a flat tappet grind. There is a similar roller design that would probably do as well or better. You will want to do some bowl porting and short side radius work on teh heads instead of just bolting them on out of the box.

 

Well after some thinking ive decided to scrap the 305 build up. I'm just gonna throw the headers on and call it good enough. Then I'll get a shortblock 350 and build it how i want it then drop it in. And hopefully I for all yowon't destroy the tranny. Thanks ur help and suggestions.