Aluminum Heads - Lateral-g Forums

elwaupo · #1 04-01-2013, 03:35 PM

I have a 69 Camaro the I'm converting to efi. I'm installing an Edelbrock Pro-Flo and I have headers so I might as well install aluminum heads but which ones would work best with my engine? I have a 350 that runs better then stock with a Crane cam, any suggestions?

**GregWeld** · #2 04-01-2013, 05:15 PM

To guide you with a choice like this -- there needs to be MUCH more technical information about the motor. You need to know the piston static compression or how much it's in the hole... you'd need the cam specs -- lift etc - because this is critical info to match the FLOW RATE of the heads to the valve lift etc of cam... and the chamber size of the head to the compression ratio of the pistons. Without that info -- you get it wrong and buy too large of a head and have a lazy motor... with no bottom end. Too small and raise the compression too much and you have a motor that has pre-ignition and you knock a piston out.

If it's not a daily driver --- and you don't have the written specs on the parts you have --- you can pull the heads and intake off and measure how much the piston sits in the hole --- and get an idea for the shape of the top (flat top - or domed etc and the fly cut for the valves) -- and if you don't know the spec on the cam - you can measure that with a follower and a dial indicator. It might sound complicated but it's not.

**WSSix** · #3 04-01-2013, 05:37 PM

x2 we need way more info about the engine to be able to point you towards which heads. Luckily, there are a ton of options out there for you that are sure to make a good gain in the power department if you have basically stock iron heads now.

elwaupo · #4 04-12-2013, 08:57 PM

It's a 350 bored 30 over with flat top pistons with a mild Crane cam (I don't know which one) and 1.92 heads with an Edelbrock Performer intake and an Edelbrock 600 cfm carborater, runs better then stock.

**GregWeld** · #5 04-12-2013, 09:26 PM

I'd just use some small -- as in 175cc -- Trick Flow SBC replacement heads.

Or Dart 180's

You need something pretty small for a mild motor with not that many cubic inches.

Just FYI -- My 406 uses Dart 180's.... it made 525 hp @ 5600 rpms and 550 ft lbs of torque @ 4600 rpm's with the Dart Pro1 180 heads.

Too large of a head will make a lazy lousy motor. So don't get caught up in the bigger is better disease.

**WSSix** · #6 04-13-2013, 05:30 AM

If you can afford to have the car taken apart for a little bit, it might be worth the effort to first take a head off and cc the combustion chamber. That way you know for certain your current compression ratio and can select a new cylinder head accordingly. Of course, you can always go with a larger cc head and simply angle mill it before putting it on the car. Too big of a combustion chamber and you'll lose performance. Too small and you damage the engine.