need help picking heads for zz409 cam
Thread Starter
Member

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Car: 1987 iroc z
Engine: 350tpi
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 342
need help picking heads for zz409 cam
what heads will work well with this cam and 1.6 roller rockers. also is this cam too big for a daily driven car.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: PHX
Car: 91' RS
Engine: 310 C.I.D. + n2o
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: built 10 bolt 3.73's
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
im not very good with heads but i can tell you that the cam is very streetable the specs on it are .520 INT .520 EXH 226INT 226EXH DURATION AT .050 112 LSA the duration is pretty low which will give you good bottom end torque good power mid range as well but if your gonna run 1.6 rockers the lift is gonna be about .554 INT .554 EXH
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: PHX
Car: 91' RS
Engine: 310 C.I.D. + n2o
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: built 10 bolt 3.73's
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
And also you should definately get some heads that flow well with specially with that much lift that you will have with 1.6 rockers and that cam. You should look into the heads from pro comp that run about $650.00 brand new and are aluminum and come fully assembeled they also come with the 2.02 1.60 valves there are a few different ones that range from 190cc runners to about 230 cc runners and different two different combustion chambers are offered 64cc and 76cc they are on ebay check em out they are really good for the price they sell em at
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 14
From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
Do a Google search on ProComp heads and you might change your mind.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...num-heads.html
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...7/#post1221122
For $1000 you can get know quality/ proven performance heads from TFS or Brodix
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-30400001/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRO-1021004/
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 0
From: Southern Wisconsin
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 383 Stroker
Transmission: Probuilt 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
I have the zz409 cam and works very well on the streets and at the strip. I have dart 200 cc heads (2.05 intake and 1.60 exhaust) From what I heard AFR 195's are very popular on this board
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: PHX
Car: 91' RS
Engine: 310 C.I.D. + n2o
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: built 10 bolt 3.73's
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
You get what you pay for
Do a Google search on ProComp heads and you might change your mind.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...num-heads.html
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...7/#post1221122
For $1000 you can get know quality/ proven performance heads from TFS or Brodix
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-30400001/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRO-1021004/
Do a Google search on ProComp heads and you might change your mind.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...num-heads.html
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...7/#post1221122
For $1000 you can get know quality/ proven performance heads from TFS or Brodix
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-30400001/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRO-1021004/
Hmmm touche i just saw them i they sounded like a good bang for the buck but Thanks for the article good info
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 14
From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
Trending Topics
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
single pattern cam, works well with good flowing exhaust ports and exhaust system. Not a bad turbo cam if you wanted to go that direction 
I've seen that cam perform well in miniram intake setups and any decent aftermarket aluminum head that has decent intake/exhaust flow ratio.
For a 350 its about as large as you want to go for a DD. For a 383 its very tame. Cubes make the difference.
Can I ask why you want to selection heads around a cam? usually have heads and select cam around the heads and rest of engine combo

I've seen that cam perform well in miniram intake setups and any decent aftermarket aluminum head that has decent intake/exhaust flow ratio.
For a 350 its about as large as you want to go for a DD. For a 383 its very tame. Cubes make the difference.
Can I ask why you want to selection heads around a cam? usually have heads and select cam around the heads and rest of engine combo
Thread Starter
Member

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Car: 1987 iroc z
Engine: 350tpi
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 342
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
i found this cam with springs from a guy on cl that want 200 for everything all new in the box so i couldnt pass that up. i dont know much about heads. id like helping the best choice for my forged 355 stock stroke and compression. fully built tpi set up and going with zz409 cam. there is alot to look at and idk where to start id like to get a decent set no ebay junk trick flows look good.
Last edited by johnny89345; Oct 15, 2009 at 01:35 PM.
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
AFR, TFS, Edelbrock, Brodix, World, Dart, ect, ect ,ect. They all have heads that would work great with it in a 350. Just pick your brand. How much do you want to spend is the question. If you want all you can get, and arent worried about spending a grand or a little more, I would go with AFR's or TFS. Edelbrock heads are quality pieces too. Personally Ive owned, AFR's, TFS, and Edelbrocks. Ive never heard or had any complaints about any of them. If your on a tight budget, Summit has their brand in heads now too. Any of them will be a major improvement over stock pieces. You probably dont want to go over 200cc ports. With a 350 anyway. What pistons you running, stock or aftermarket ? Are they flat tops ? You'll need to know that so you know what chamber size you need to get. You can run up to about 11.5:1 compression if you go with aluminum. If you get iron heads, keep it around 10:1. The aluminum dissipates heat faster, and allows you to run more without detonation. Im not sure what you have now, but a Performer RPM intake would fit nicely on that setup too.
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: Old Bridge, NJ
Car: 1992 Camaro RS
Engine: 383 SuperRam
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3:23 Posi
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
I run that cam in my 383 with 195cc afr heads. Makes excelent power and is very streetable.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
jegs brand heads i've heard are Canfield castings which are pretty good heads. Summit i think was trickflow but i'm not sure.
Any of the good aluminum aftermarket stuff should work well, just keep it a 1205 sized port for the intake and under 200cc on the head runners. Get springs changed to match the cam if you have new springs with that cam. Give it 135lbs on the seat atleast
Any of the good aluminum aftermarket stuff should work well, just keep it a 1205 sized port for the intake and under 200cc on the head runners. Get springs changed to match the cam if you have new springs with that cam. Give it 135lbs on the seat atleast
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
If your looking for a set of AFR's (180's or 195's street ports), I can hook you up with some very good prices. $1250 plus shipping.
If your interested. Email me rhueson@yahoo.com
If your interested. Email me rhueson@yahoo.com
Thread Starter
Member

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Car: 1987 iroc z
Engine: 350tpi
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 342
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
i have no idea what im looking at though. im mainly looking for someone to tell me what ill be best off getting. i have no idea what pistons i have nor do i have any knoledge on heads.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: need help picking heads for zz409 cam
Heads are pretty easy. With that cam and TPI stuff it really isnt gonna make a HUGE difference which way you go. You just want to keep around 64cc chambers and keep runners around 180-200 cc... 190-195 is very common for a 350.
If you have a 355 that was rebuilt with flat top pistons and the block was zero decked, your looking at 10.3 to 1 compression or so. If not zero decked, pistons may be .025" in the hole bringing compression down 9.8-10 to 1.
IF any kind of dish you will be in the mid 9's to 1 compression which is low for aluminum head motor. Most head companies can offer you milled heads to give smaller combustion chambers to raise compression again. Dished pistons will want 58-60 cc chambers.
Valve springs you just need to make sure they can handle the lift of the cam with your rockers you plan to run and still leave .050" margin or close to it. .650 lift springs i wouldnt run over .600 lift cam. I ran .613" on my springs which were good to about .635" with no problems so it can be done. Also you need to check spring ratings for lbs of pressure at the seat (valve closed) and open pressure at max lift. Good hydraulic roller spring will need to have 130-135 lbs on the seat and 350 or so open. Depends on the cam tho, smaller cams wont need anywhere near that much.. Stock type cams may be ok with 110lbs and 300 lbs open. My cam I ran 165-170lbs seat and 410 open....but i also turned near 7K rpm.
Thats basically it.
For the money i havent seen many heads beat AFR 195's......out the box they have great springs, light valves and flow like mad. Very good choice and they were designed from the aluminum L98 head in the first place so its a natural TPI choice.
I'd look into 88Black's pricing... not bad deals there
If you have a 355 that was rebuilt with flat top pistons and the block was zero decked, your looking at 10.3 to 1 compression or so. If not zero decked, pistons may be .025" in the hole bringing compression down 9.8-10 to 1.
IF any kind of dish you will be in the mid 9's to 1 compression which is low for aluminum head motor. Most head companies can offer you milled heads to give smaller combustion chambers to raise compression again. Dished pistons will want 58-60 cc chambers.
Valve springs you just need to make sure they can handle the lift of the cam with your rockers you plan to run and still leave .050" margin or close to it. .650 lift springs i wouldnt run over .600 lift cam. I ran .613" on my springs which were good to about .635" with no problems so it can be done. Also you need to check spring ratings for lbs of pressure at the seat (valve closed) and open pressure at max lift. Good hydraulic roller spring will need to have 130-135 lbs on the seat and 350 or so open. Depends on the cam tho, smaller cams wont need anywhere near that much.. Stock type cams may be ok with 110lbs and 300 lbs open. My cam I ran 165-170lbs seat and 410 open....but i also turned near 7K rpm.
Thats basically it.
For the money i havent seen many heads beat AFR 195's......out the box they have great springs, light valves and flow like mad. Very good choice and they were designed from the aluminum L98 head in the first place so its a natural TPI choice.
I'd look into 88Black's pricing... not bad deals there
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
84z96L31vortec
Tech / General Engine
7
Aug 20, 2017 12:16 AM
ambainb
Camaros for Sale
11
Apr 25, 2016 09:21 PM
84z96L31vortec
North East Region
1
Aug 10, 2015 08:27 PM









