im on the market for new heads and not sure on what brand or type to get.
i have a 355 sbc, the edelbrock performer cam, edelbrock 600cfm carb, air gap intake. i want to be able to hit 12s and heads are the only thing holding me back... any suggestions or preferences? and is the carb to small for my application?

 

I can put you in touch with Tony Mamo at Air Flow Research and he can answer all your questions and get you the right set of heads for your application. He is the best there is when it comes to cylinder heads.

 

I suggest Chad Speier over Tony Mamo. Chad has no problems explaining things to where even the common man can understand complex terms. He's spent a few hours on the phone over several occasions helping me understand various dynamics, and he doesn't charge out his nose for a good product. I can't question Tony's experience, but I don't like the way he does business. I think he's too prideful honestly (NOT the same as having pride in your job!), but that's just my opinion. Lloyd Elliot is also a great guy; equally as helpful as Chad. He's a straight shooter as well and I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything from him. Very knowledgable individual.

 

i was also wondering if edelbrock heads or summit heads would work also

 

Are you set on using that performer cam? Which one is it?

 

If you are on a budget the summit or jegs brands aluminum heads or dart shp heads for under 1000 bucks cant be beat but id get a better cam at same time. Carb will work. Id try it first before considering upgrading

 

the cam im using is:
Brand: Edelbrock

Manufacturer's Part Number: 7102

Part Type: Camshaft and Lifter Kits

Product Line: Edelbrock Performer RPM Cam and Lifter Kits

Summit Racing Part Number: EDL-7102



UPC: 085347071029

Cam Style: Hydraulic flat tappet

Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,500-6,500

Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 234

Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 244

Duration at 050 inch Lift: 234 int./244 exh.

Advertised Intake Duration: 308

Advertised Exhaust Duration: 318

Advertised Duration: 308 int./318 exh.

Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.488 in.

Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.510 in.

Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.488 int./0.510 exh.

Lobe Separation (degrees): 112

Computer-Controlled Compatible: No

Lifters Included: Yes

Lifter Style: Hydraulic flat tappet

Valve Springs Included: No

Retainers Included: No

Locks Included: No

Valve Stem Seals Included: No

Timing Chain and Gears Included: No

Assembly Lubricant Included: Yes

Pushrods Included: No

Rocker Arms Included: No

Gaskets Included: No

Valve Springs Required: Yes

Quantity: Sold as a kit.

Notes: Although the advertised RPM range for these camshafts is 1,500 to 6,500 rpm, for best performance we recommend a minimum 3,000 rpm stall torque converter be used in applications with automatic transmissions.

Heads im looking at:
Brand: Dart
Manufacturer's Part Number: 127322

Part Type: Cylinder Heads

Product Line: Dart SHP Special High Performance Cylinder Heads

Summit Racing Part Number: DRT-127322



Cylinder Head Style: Assembled

Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum

Cylinder Head Finish: Natural

Combustion Chamber Volume (cc): 64

CNC-Machined Combustion Chamber: No

Intake Runner Volume (cc): 200cc

Exhaust Runner Volume (cc): 75cc

CNC-Machined Intake Runner: No

CNC-Machined Exhaust Runner: No

Combustion Chamber Style: Heart

Intake Port Location: Standard

Exhaust Port Shape: Square

Exhaust Port Location: Standard

Spark Plug Style: Straight

Intake Valves Included: Yes

Intake Valve Diameter (in): 2.020 in.

Exhaust Valves Included: Yes

Exhaust Valve Diameter (in): 1.600 in.

Valve Springs Included: Yes

Maximum Valve Lift (in): 0.620 in.

Outside Diameter of Outer Spring (in): 1.437 in.

Damper Spring Included: No

Number of Springs Per Valve: Dual

Retainers Included: Yes

Retainer Material: Steel

Locks Included: Yes

Lock Style: 10 degree

Valve Stem Seals Included: Yes

Valve Stem Seal Style: Umbrella

Rocker Arm Studs Included: Yes

Rocker Arm Nut Thread Size: 3/8-24 in.

Rocker Arms Included: No

Rocker Arm Nuts Included: No

Guideplates Included: Yes

Guideplate Pushrod Size: 5/16 in.

Valve Cover Mounting Style: Center and perimeter bolt

Accessory Bolt Holes Drilled: Yes

Intake Valve Angle: 23

Exhaust Valve Angle: 23

Valve Guides Included: Yes

Valve Guide Material: Manganese bronze

Valve Seats Machined: Yes

Valve Seat Machine Style: 5-angle intake/2-angle exhaust

Valve Seat Material: Powdered metal

Steam Holes Drilled: No

Oiling Style: Through pushrod

Machined for O-Ring: No

Heat Crossover: No

 

I would change cam to something abit better. That cam is abit old and not known for great power. The dart heads are good but id go to lunati or comp for a shelf cam around 224-230 deg duration

 

prederablly which cam from lunati?

 

Voodoo series something around their 268 advertised durations or close to it. Something like that should get mid low 12's with those heads

 

not to sound stupid, but whats wrong with the cam thats in the engine? im not a motorhead and would like to know/learn.

 

Its alittle lazy and abit big for what you need. Lobes are not that aggressive so you are bleeding off alot of low to mid range power you can pick up with a more aggressive lobe like the lunati voodoo or comps xe grinds or even some others. Crane had a few good cams.

 

i agree with Orr. thats good advice on a cam recommendation, & the heads too.
it would be nice to get a posi down the road when you can afford it. what stall converter are you using now?

 

2800 i got a posi and 3.73 gears. do you have a part number that i can reference off of?

 

ok im going to go with the shp heads but the valve springs arnt going to work very well. im going to go with the springs rated for my cam. question is how hard is it to swap them out, and do i need to just by springs, or springs and the retainers?