I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'm looking for cheap head recommendations. Building a 350, 2 bolt main, looking to make 350-400hp which shouldn't be too hard. Anyways, I'm going to go .030 over, haven't decided on a cam yet, and have an LT1 style intake already with carb (so vortec heads are out). I've got some heads out of a 69' Vette that my uncle says are pretty decent for smog heads. Would I be able to do what I want with the smog heads, or should I go new? And if so, any recommendations?

 

Cheap and heads are generally a bad combo. Sell your 69 corvette heads to someone else they are not worth putting any money into them.

What do you consider cheap $700 or $1400

 

More like 500

 

I hope you mean per head not a pair otherwise you better start looking on craigslist

 

For that budget let me suggest Vortec heads. The intake manifold for a carb is under $200. They are capable of more than 400 hp out of the box. I have bought whole Vortec 350 long blocks for under $200 with spun bearings.

Unless they have been rweorked previously those 69 Vette heads will not have hardened seats and likely have severe seat recession from years of running on unleaded gas.

 

Good to know. I was going to buy the block from Summit remachined, and I realized 383 and 350 blocks are the same price. Might just get a 383 and build that up. Not sure my T5 will survive, but that's another issue entirely. I might just bite the bullet and buy a new intake to match the Vortec heads if they're that much cheaper than other heads.

 

go check out blueprint engines...

 

I know blueprint is the easiest way to do it, and probably the cheapest, but I really want the experience and more personal approach of building from scratch.

 

go find a 96+ truck motor in good running shape. <$800. Add a decent cam, springs/retainer, and a carbed intake. Cheapest way to build from scratch and make decent power.