Looking at buying some aluminum heads for my 454

[squirrel]

Guys I've been thinking about getting some aluminum heads for my mild blower motor. Mainly to save some weight...

I've been thinking about finding some of the old ones from the 70s, but they're a bit scarce, and usually go for a bunch of money or they are trashed from years of abuse.

So, I was looking at the current GM heads which are NHRA stock legal. They have D port exhaust, other than that they are pretty similar to the iron heads I have now (rectangular port open chamber)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12363408/overview/make/chevrolet

One problem that prevents me from getting better heads is the exhaust location, I don't want to mess with raised exhaust ports. Another is the appearance, I want them to look mostly like old stock heads. I realize the new ones have a bowtie instead of a snowflake....but maybe I'd grind off the bowtie...???

What do you think?

btw the cam is pretty small, I don't run much compression or boost, etc. It's a mild street engine, revs to just a bit over 6000 rpm.

[GH]

Jim, I ran the World Products cast iron heads, they worked good for me.

[Monk]

I put some Brodix on my 427 and was well satisfied.

[TC]

Just fallow the link......

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=afr+bbc&_sacat=&_sop=2&_dmpt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&_odkw=chevy+big+aluminum+heads&_osacat=0&bkBtn=&_trksid=p4506.m270.l1313

[squirrel]

Thanks guys....so, no one has any opinions about the GM heads?

[BOSSMAN]

I do, look at the Brodix Race Rite heads. The Race Rite head is a Stock Replacement style head but moves alot more air. Headers are in the stock location and they make them in Rectangular or Oval port.

That GM head may work well too, I just haven't had one on my bench yet. The Brodix heads use a 2.250 valve over the GM head with a 2.190.

[squirrel]

Another is the appearance, I want them to look mostly like old stock heads.

I guess I'm asking too much?

[TC]

Here's a site with all sorts of Flow numbers for all sorts of heads, go the BBC section look for Chevy 401, that's those heads your link is to and it gives you flow data..... They used a 2.25 intake and got 307cfm at .600 lift, you could probably do a little porting and get a bit more......

http://users.erols.com/srweiss/tablehdc.htm#Chevy_Big_Block

[BOSSMAN]

I guess I'm asking too much?

Even the bowtie heads will not appear like an older casting. The ends on almost all current offerrings are machined flat so that would be a give away to make some thing look period correct if that is the sort of look your after. I suppose a guy could doctor them up to do that but the added cost in your case wouldn't be worth it. The aluminium from the 60's and 70's wasn't that good then and years of use will soften them up. I guess thats why I mention the Brodix heads because they fit what your looking for otherwise and at least I could offer info of what I know or have seen.

[squirrel]

Thanks, I guess I've never seen a picture of the ends of the newer heads....I went looking, sure enough they're not what I want from an aesthetic viewpoint.

I'll keep thinking about this....

[BigBlockMopar]

How about modifying and painting the visible ends of aluminium heads so they look factory stock?
What do the FAST guys use for this?

The Mopar-crowd has an updated aluminium aftermarket head available from 440source called "Stealth Heads", that looks the same as a factory stock castiron head.
I'm thinking you want something similar.

[Scott Liggett]

The raised exhaust ports are barely .300". I doubt it would make much of a problem exhaust wise. The old GM aluminum heads like the L-89's didnt flow any better than the iron and the aluminum they used was soft. Anyone starts porting those usually screws them up. As for flow, I have yet to see anyone beat an AFR head. But, Brodix, Dart and others make good stuff. I would stay away from no name brands. I dont know how good the GM perf heads are.

[squirrel]

It's kind of tight by the steering box, and I really don't want to have to deal with finding different headers, or modifying them, or changing the steering.



I appreciate the suggestions so far! This idea may go nowhere...but at least I'm learning

[TC]

By the looks of it the raised port might give you a bit more clearance to the steering box......

[TC]

IMO get those GM heads and send them to Nick and let him do his magic.......