http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/s...d.php?t=127976

 

Have to "log in" to see whatever's in that link.

So, what's the issue?

 

Okay, after getting in to look at that other board's thread:

To each his own. I've argued 'til blue in the face that World S/R Torquers are a better starting point for a 305 than factory 305 heads. I wouldn't consider them bolt-ons, though (even the magazines pocket ported them b/4 "comparing" them to stock factory 305 heads). With DIY porting and 1.94/1.50 valves, either will rival out-of-the-box Vortec flow (of course, there's more to Vortecs than flow). And, there's more to the Worlds than thicker castings vs. 416's - the chamber shape is different, for instance.

Vortecs are attractive, but people need to understand their (argueably severe) out-of-the-box limitations, since a lot of the cams people want to run have too much lift for them w/o modification; and just as important, they may not be the best choice in emissions-required applications. I just don't understand why the factory continues to cheap out with press-in studs, or why outfits like SDPC don't include screw-in studs with their "upgraded" Vortec heads.

Aluminum L98 heads? Hardly an improvement over 416's on a 305 w/o significant work. But, they can be nice when properly worked over.

I wouldn't go out and look for 416's if I was building a 350. But, if I already had worked-over 416's (or World 305's - wink, wink) and was building a 350 shortblock, I'd certainly consider using them on a mild street performance build-up.

In the end, the amount of money you spend is almost always more when you buy new heads than it is when you improve what you've got. The HP/$'s is typically pretty close, but the max raw HP # will always require a higher $ number.