What are the best heads, for a TPI setup?
Something that will bolt up to the 1989 intake bolt angle, so it looks all stock.
The goal is not to change the stock look.

 

AFR 195's, or Trick Flow 195's.

 

Those are all D port. I'm looking for standard port to work with the oem exhaust manifolds.

 

The best heads to work with your stock exhaust manifolds are your stock heads.

 

Try Brodix
never mind they went D-port too.
Airwolfe is right, unless you improve the intake system stock is best.

 

AFR 195 Enforcer heads have square port exhaust and the extra bolt hole for the stock manifolds.

Edit. Sorry, those heads have the earlier 90-degree center intake bolt angles. You could elongate the four center holes on your intake or look for an 85 or 86 base though.

 

Wouldn't the Edlebrock centerbolt #60859 heads be an easy, cheap head? Kinda similar to an aluminum Corvette head of the era for specs?

 

I have had stock f body manifolds on D port heads what are you referring to when you say wont "work"

 

Is it a 305 5.0 or 350 5.7? The 305 is bore challenged and won't accept a 2.02 Intake valve.

Sorry if the engine size was stated and I missed it.

 

Yep, that would make a difference.

 

If that is an L98 motor the stock heads aren't all that bad actually. Good improvement with a set of headers and exhaust. And if that rear end is the Aussie 2:77 posi that could be improved on too.

 

Disagree here. LB9, L98, L05...etc all these heads flow like garbage compared to what's out there today, even the budget heads.

GM made vast improvements starting with the Vortecs, and the aftermarket has made huge improvements.

Any of the aftermarket heads that use SBC 87+ intake bolt angles will work. And if I remember correctly angled spark plugs. And despite what people say a 195cc is not too big, even if it's not a high revving engine. The modern port designs have great flow and velocity. I'm a huge fan of AFR's, but I have eyed other heads too.

 

The OP wants to use the factory stock TPI lower intake manifold & factory stock cast iron log exhaust manifolds. He absolutely DOES NOT want headers. I can't see spending $1,600 to $2,800 on a set of aftermarket heads with those restrictions in place. Would there be a gain with those restrictions in place? Yes. Would it be worth it bang for the buck wise? No.

A 50 shot of nitrous and bottle refills would be a way better investment.

 

Any engine work period is nearly an absolute waste of time if the OE manifolds are retained.

 

Two thoughts.
First, as Fast 355 says, if you're keeping the stock exhaust, then honestly any other work is a waste of time.
Secondly, and I've said this countless times over the years, I had an L98 with headers and a zz4 cam and a 2200 stall and a 3.27 gear and the car what a good bit faster, and a TON more fun to drive. Consider it's now 2024, the power levels we're seeing out of bone stock factory cars, the engines that are out there, and throw in the fact that the OP wants too keep the TPI and manifolds....I think it's time to discuss how to reach your goals, and NOT simply what are the best heads. OP really needs to be honest about expectations here.

 

If the OP really wants the BEST advice, he needs to "help us help you".

 

Based on ^^^^these, just leave it stock.

 

You want a stock look?? Then leave it all stock and move on to something else

 

Vette L98 113 heads. Lighter weight and abit more compression. Thats about it but you lose egr. Would need to run vette base and a tube off the manifold like the vettes run or egr delete it

 

Would those Edelbrock centerbolts (60859) perform the same with less work???

 

Yeah i would say so.

 

New 60859s have not been made in years unless they have brought them back and I missed it somewhere. Friend was looking for heads for his TBI truck a couple of years ago and even Edelbrock had them listed as Unavailable on their site.

 

60879 is more like the L98 head and is available

 

IIRC correctly the difference between the 60859 and 60879 is the angle on the 4 center bolts and the EGR passageways. The 60859 are replacements for iron TBI/TPI and the 60879s are like you say L98 Corvette replacements. Otherwise identical in specs and flow as well as 60cc chambers.

 

Jegs has 2 in stock. Summit lists ships in Dec. I suppose anywhere that has old stock?

 

same with edelbrock 60879’s. Gotta have the vette base due to bolt angle.