i was browsing summit and came accross these heads http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Are they very streetable heads does anyone know? and how are they on pump gas? they would go on a 355 engine

 

Like anything, it all depends on your objectives and the other parts.

They are fine for a "budget minded" engine that will be basically stock with a mild cam. They state they can accomodate a maximum lift of .560", but unless you upgrade those springs, I would personally not use a cam with larger than .530" lift.

They have 200cc intakes requiring a Fel-Pro 1205 intake gasket. That is larger than the stock intake. You will need to check your stock intake to see if it can be ported to a 1205, or you will need an intake with larger ports.

They are cast-iron with a slightly larger combustion chamber (66cc vs stock 64cc). They have straight plugs (I prefer angle head plugs, especially with headers) and do not seem to have provision for an EGR and state they are intended for 1967-1986 engines.

As I first stated, they are fine for a "budget minded" engine with a mild cam. They will flow well, especially if a little time is spent porting & cleaning them up. However, they are not AFRs. But they don't cost like AFRs either.

 

not to bad, says down in the bottom you can get em in angled or straight plug style, have a few buddies who run these and overall are happy with em, basically about the same thing i had built but with a few differences, i paid alot more for minem for 800 bucks for a pair what the hell

 

$900 for a set of heads that come with crappy valve springs? Doesn't sound too "budget" to me. You'd be better off with a set of used Vortecs, probably go faster too.

 

damnit..i thot it was sold as a pair. now im let down

 

You are absolutely right! I think it's pretty damn devious to advertise them to make you think they are being sold at a low price and only at the bottom in small print do you see "sold individually".

I don't know who they are fooling because when they tell the person on the phone that is the "individual price", it just pisses them off when they find out and they don't buy them anyway.

For a few bucks more, you can buy Trickflow 23* or a number of other good flowing heads.

 

good to know i am not the only one who has almost fallen for the "sold individually"scam

 

lol yea man..i became depressed after i read that..lol i was all happy and stuff cuz i thot i had found a set of heads that wont set me back to much right now and would be a lil better then stock.and then i read that part and it went all down hill lol..

 

well if you want better than stock... vortec is the way to go for the price... and dont worry about oh you need a special intake blah blah... well you do. but it doesnt have to be more than any other intake... oh and most of the companys selling vortec heads usually have over come the retainer-valveguide clearance problem...

 

alrihgt..well you hear alot about Vortec heads and are they reallly even that good? i think i might just keep the stock heads on this engine i just got..its outta a 83 Truck..got it for basically free cuz the guy was just gonna take the whole truck to the scrap yard and im just giving him my old engine and the pieces so it will weigh just as much as the engine he gave me for it..it runs just has high miles.so a complete rebuild will be necessary and bore it .30 over. but il end up gttin a nice set of heads one day

 

are they even really that good? they're the best factory GM head ever as far as I'm concerned. It's not hard to make an honest 450HP with unported Vortecs on a basic street motor combo. My car ran 12.52's without ever even tuning it.... friend of mine has been 11.60's on motor in his 3500lb daily driven car with Vortecs.

....Not bad for a set of heads you can buy used for $250-300, then throw $150-200 worth of parts & machine work into.

 

i see..well i guess il be looking for a set of vortec heads in the near future. thanks for the help

 

I may have what you want. I just dropped a new replacement Vortec longblock in my truck because of a bad rod bearing. I'll remove the heads from the old longblock to check the guides and seats before selling them, but AFIK they are in great shape.
Let me know if you're serious.