OK, the cost of aluminum heads is about $600+, then add the $300+ cost of burning a custom PROM because the aluminum heads do not have EGR provisions. Now take the factory 305 heads and get them worked to include valve job, porting, milling for screw-in studs, and all new hardware and you might be looking at about $400 - $600 depending on shop.
Besides cost the other thing to compare is weight. So is there a legitimate reason to spend the extra money to just loose a few pounds but still gain the same power?
Does anyone have real numbers for this comparison, and what are your thoughts on this?

-Ozzy

 

If you change over to the aluminum heads you don't need to spend $300 dollars on a "custom" chip to eliminate the EGR thing. You could find someone around the boards who would probably do it for like $50!!! IF that is all you want out of the chip. More programming is obviously more money...

As for the performance, I think the alum. heads, I assume you are refering to L98 heads, are going to serve you better than the 305 ones, even ported. If you are really lookin for some performance you could look into Vortec heads(iron) and a Vortec TPI base. It would cost more, but I think you would be happy with it. Vortec heads est. $500, Vortec base est. $400...

 

Also, the corvette aluminum heads already have screw in studs.

 

where can i find vortec heads for $500?? Or where could i find some aluminum L98's for cheap?? I have been searching everywhere. The stock base won't bolt on to the vortec's right? I have to buy the vortec base? Thanks.

 

Yeah, you need the Vortec base with Vortec heads, and I believe the GMPP Fastburn heads are also a "Vortec" style...

Look here...
http://www.paceparts.com/product.asp?3=55999

Hope this helps...

 

yah that helps alot man. thanx. that price is for each head right?

 

I think it is. I have seen advertised listings for regular old Vortec heads for less than $500 per pair...Now the ones I put the link in for are more appropriate for what most of us would want. It is a little more money, but at least you don't have to spend more money after you get them. Should be a nice bolt on. BTW, Pace has the TPI Vortec base listing for $399...

 

www.sdpc2000.com

They have lots of GMPP stuff also...

 

OK highjackers get off this plane,
Back to my post, this is for a 305 and I am not planing on changing the base or runners. I will look into this some more.

-Ozzy

 

sorry man. :lala:

didn't mean to hijack. i would go for the aluminum heads. you shed some weight and will probably make more power.

 

You will not make more power. This is faught over a lot here. Aluminum heads do not make more power then Iron heads on a relitive low to mid compression ratio. Anything with 10.5 or higher need aluminum heads to keep knock down and lose power. Porting and milling your old LB9 heads or finding a set that has already been done is your best bet for bolt on cheapness, or if you want to drop for some new stuff, SR 305 Torquers. They will give you a 30hp bump, and with a cam probably more. I hope that i can get my hands on a set of decent heads.

 

Hey Ozzy,
I've got a set of L98 aluminum and a set of 305 heads if you care to look and compare. I'll also be getting the stuff soon to custom burn my own chips, so I could do that for you for free.

If you look hard enough you can find 113 aluminum heads for about $400 bucks. No more than $500. They are a good set of heads...but, as mentioned before, won't increase your compression ratio substantially. Also, the 305 bore will shroud the 350 head chamber. Might be a waste of money unless you go larger cubes later.

For a couple of hundred investment maximum in tools you can port and polish the 305 heads yourself. Get screw in studs installed, mill the heads, cut for 1.94/1.6 valves, valve job...and your good to go. 2nd thought...it would probably be cheaper to get some aftermarket heads for 305 like the SR Torquers mentioned. I might know where you can get those in Fort Walton already cleaned up cheaper than new. I'll find out and PM you.

 

what is this about screw in studs?

I just got a set of 8113 heads, complete+valve covers, for $100.
SCORE!

why would you have to burn a new chip? I have removed all AIR stuff

 

Thanks for the insight, it does make sense.



First, 305 heads come with pressed-in studs and they have to be milled for screw-in studs if you are going to use stronger springs.
Second, burning a chip is needed because the EGR valve has a diagnostic switch that sends a feedback signal to the ECM. If the EGR is deleted the ECM will throw a code and the SES light will stay on. Burning a new PROM with the EGR deleted fixes that.

Chad, I think I might stick with the iron heads. I'll send you am e-mail and we'll talk about it. I'm on vacation this week so maybe we'll swing by your place and check out what you have. I could get the second set of heads and get them worked while I drive the car. Can't be without my baby, you know.

Thanks all for your responses,
Ozzy

 

I just found this article from CHP's My Generation Camaro part IV.
check it out... talks about the SR 305 heads.

 

Ok, we need to get one thing clear here. The 113 casting Aluminum heads are NOT 305 heads. They are Corvette 350 heads and they do not have press in studs. They come with screw in studs. Now the cast iron heads came with press in studs. Both in 305 and the 350's.

Here is some info I found on the web about them:

113 ‘86-’90 Corvette/ present 350-HO aluminum, no exhaust heat, 58cc chamber, 1.94/1.50 valves, centerbolt valve covers; good street head, ‘88-on have raised D ex port, 3/8 screw-in studs

 

no way!!! OMG you have totaly figured this all out!! Man im glad you found that info... I thought they were big block heads at first..

Upon further reading of what other people said here, the alum L98 heads would dictate... L98=350.... LB9=305. the L98 Alum heads WILL fit a 305 block due to smaller combustion chamber.

 

Um, yeah.

 

The L98 aluminum 'vette' heads work fine on a 305. Only issues would be the lack of EGR, and then possibly some of the following, depending on year:
Missing accessory bolt hole
Early intake bolt pattern
Centerbolt valve covers

 

I think for me that throws that option out the window. Thanks.

 

Don't worry about 'vette heads. There are so many better heads out there. Remember, it has been a few years since the vettes of 90. Engine technology has changed remarkably...

 

You know.. your right... but the fantastic 305 has been left by the trackside in hi-po heads. Unless you drop some $$$ for milling 350 heads down, choices are between slim and none. You have ported LB9's, Ported L98's, Ported Vortecs, SR 305's.

Pros and cons of each
LB9- pro
cheap, plentiful, can be done on your own time.
con
small valves, heavy iron, "old tech" design, old with old parts.

L98 pro
Light, bigger intake vavle, cool factor of alum heads, higher flow intake and exhaust over LB9's, fits 305's
cons
rare, can be expensive, no EGR, intake patter differs, could be cracked or warped.

Vortec -pro
Vortec chamber design, cheap, plentiful (off trucks)
con
new intake, new valves, need port work to keep up with the rest(it is a truck head ya know), will lower compression if bolted on.

SR 305's -pro
Brand new castings, bigger intake valve (1.94), higher flow intake and exhaust (170cc compared to L98's 163), is a standard replacement so it will plop right one with no troubles, quality parts, stiffer springs.
con
Heavy iron like the LB9's, the most expenisive out of the group, other heads can be ported, milled, etc to exceed the SR's performance for maybe cheaper.

In my mind, if you got he money, go with the SR's. Little pocket port job by yourself or have a shop do it. Its the best for strait bolt on heads. If you wana make a very big pain in the **** set up, go vortec, but i dont think there are EGR routes in the SDPC intake.

 

Did you see my post about the heads I'm going to be running on my 355? They are LB9 305 heads.
My post

 

wow... TPIgirl....will you marry me? hehehe sorry. Great idea! Now time to read....

 

A fellow machinist at work told me that you can in fact put 2.00" valves in 305 heads for use in a 305 engine. To keep them from shrouding the machinist would have to offset the valve guide bore toward the exhaust guide a few thousands, and bore for a larger guide. It puts the valves closer together but the intake valve won't be shrouded.

 

That sounds like more work than it would be worth...

I hope it helps you though...