Dart 225 ?????
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Launching!
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From: Jefferson City, MO
Dart 225 ????? What is wrong with the dart heads i dont hear about anyone running them ? I have a stock bottom end LS1,with just a cam,will the 225cc with 205 valves work for me or are they to big to work with my stock pistons ?? THANKS GUYS i appreciate any help
Last edited by 70ls1chevelle; Oct 14, 2008 at 02:21 PM.
You'll hear mixed reviews depending on who you talk to, moreso with these than with any other brand heads I've seen. For $1,800 assembled, you're in a sort of middleground (and assuming you're not going with a bigger than .600 lift cam, in which case you need to replace parts). Not necessarily a "budget" head like the $1,200-1,500 Patriots, etc, but not nearly as expensive as the TFS/AFR heads that sometimes require rockers, etc. It also seems like the results vary, so I'd say you're taking a bigger chance at making less power than the TFS or AFR type heads, but you probably aren't risking a negligible gain like some people have seen with all out budget heads (like the ones on my car). The old saying "you get what you pay for" typically applies with cylinder heads from what I've seen.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lexington, KY
Mine were ~$1400 ready to bolt on a little over a year ago. If they were closer to $2k and I had it to spend I'd go with AFR's. For the price I paid I think they are good out of the box with potential to be much better with a good port job.
I'm quite conviced mine consumes 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. I guess I need to pull every plug and compare them. I definitely made power with them. Went from 38X/37X to 427/401 with Dart 225's, LS6, and 4.10 gears being the only changes. No headwork or milling. I do have a 232/234 646/612 cam, so I wonder what is meant about over .600 lift, I have stock rockers, etc.
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I won't go into it but go to hardcore LS1 and talk to Bret Baur (SSrtoker Ace can't remember exactly,BRE) and he will fill you in. They can be AWESOME but the 205's need work out of the box. The 225's are pretty good "as is" but work better on a 4" bore due to combustion chamber size/shape. Take it with a grain of salt but he is a TSP "hater". His 243 heads are costly too but Killer. There are a couple guys with his stuff around here so this is not internet BS but what I have seen.
Nuff said
Nuff said
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Spotsylvania, VA
Not sure where else to get them but on Jegs they are $885 each, so that's $1,770 and I would imagine at least $30 for shipping which is about $1,800. I didn't really "shop around" though, so perhaps there are cheaper places. They're also much more expensive on the DART website. I'm talking about assembled heads, by the way. Obviously they're MUCH cheaper bare.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 24
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From: Spotsylvania, VA
Not sure where else to get them but on Jegs they are $885 each, so that's $1,770 and I would imagine at least $30 for shipping which is about $1,800. I didn't really "shop around" though, so perhaps there are cheaper places. They're also much more expensive on the DART website. I'm talking about assembled heads, by the way. Obviously they're MUCH cheaper bare.
11 Second Club
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Was New Orleans, but swam to Baton Rouge
I really liked my Dart 205s, but I out grew them with my stroker. For the price they are a great head, and make good power. I would still be running Darts if I had went with 225s over the 205s.
The Dart's are $1600.00 from most places(we sell them for $1600.00 anyway). We have used quite a few sets of Dart heads on cars that we did in the shop, and they worked out quite well for what you pay. Are there better cylinder heads out there than the Darts, absolutely there is. In my opinion they are one of the better "bang for your buck" cylinder head out there. We have had many m6 cars make 450+ rwhp with them. I would recommend the 225cc head over the 205cc head however. We have had better luck making power with the 225 over the 225, even on stock bottom end motors. If memory serves me right Mark(Sigforty) made around 450 rwhp with the Dart 205's, our F14 cam, and a LS6 manifold.
I bought a new set of 205cc Dart's for $1100. Someone needed the cash. Spent $350 for a Bo White port job. Installed a .040 head gasket, etc and it runs great. I still need a dyno run. I was 401hp before the heads.
I like mine. Does not use any oil but I change oil every 2500 miles or so.
Bill
I like mine. Does not use any oil but I change oil every 2500 miles or so.
Bill
I think mine may be a valve guide issue. I just haven't pulled every plug and inspected them, but I know for sure it drinks it. I emptied my catch can after several thousand miles and there was about 3/4 inch of oil in the bottom of a styrofoam coffee cup. I just can't any other signs like smoking on start up or massive smoke on acceleration.