Heads 'n Cams
#1
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Car: '87 Trans Am GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700r4
Heads 'n Cams
This probably won't be your average question, but what were some of the aftermarket heads and camshafts you bought, or considered buying back in the day when our cars were new, and why did you choose them over "X" brand's heads / camshafts?
Last edited by Ryan-87GTA; 04-15-2019 at 08:08 PM.
#2
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Re: Heads 'n Cams
Unless you have a radical engine, buy the Small Port Bowtie Vortec heads. Best seat of the pants bang for the buck. Virtually any cam manufacturer is OK, again unless radical engine, because you are looking for a proper grind, not necessarily the manufacturer.
#3
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Car: 1983 G20 Chevy
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 14 bolt with 3.07 gears
Re: Heads 'n Cams
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech-general-engine/758457-assault-racing-heads.html
Last edited by Fast355; 04-21-2019 at 01:56 PM.
#4
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Re: Heads 'n Cams
Despite having posted this, I agree with Fast355. When I purchased the Bowtie heads in 2011, they were $500. Today $825+ (WOW), and can find much better bang for the buck today which was the premise of the original post. But note that large ported heads are only truly valuable if you have the intake and exhaust components to match as Fast355 does.
#5
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Car: 1983 G20 Chevy
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 14 bolt with 3.07 gears
Re: Heads 'n Cams
Despite having posted this, I agree with Fast355. When I purchased the Bowtie heads in 2011, they were $500. Today $825+ (WOW), and can find much better bang for the buck today which was the premise of the original post. But note that large ported heads are only truly valuable if you have the intake and exhaust components to match as Fast355 does.
The bigger port heads in my setup really shine at 3,500+ where the free flowing intake and exhaust systems really let them breath though. I have my shift points set at 6,200 rpm (5,500 rpm with the travel trailer behind me in Tow/Haul) to keep the stock bottem end alive. I have played with shifts as high as 6,500 rpm and it is still pulling like a freight train. Nodular iron crank (like a ZZ4 uses), PM rods and hyper pistons are holding up well. I have spun that engine with my foot on the floor at 4,500-5,000 rpm for 100 miles straight pulling that travel trailer 70-75 mph into a 30 mph head wind trying to beat a bad storm. Was 906 Vortecs with 2.02/1.60 valves and the 395' Marine cam at that time. FWIW, Stock Vortec 350 bottem end is stronger than most would ever give them credit to be and those whole GM Goodwrech crate engines are very affordible.
Last edited by Fast355; 04-25-2019 at 11:06 PM.
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