Head opinions
#1
Head opinions
Am happy with performance even with just my baby cam (224r) but... just picked up a Yank SS3600 and was thinking about adding a set of heads to the mix. My question is, with a small cam like mine will there be a noticable difference with better heads? Was thinking about the 5.3 heads from TSP https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4345-p...-outright.aspx or possibly the as-cast heads they sell https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4345-p...-outright.aspx . Question is, will the extra $400 make that big a difference?
#2
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: My own internal universe
Posts: 10,446
Received 1,836 Likes
on
1,145 Posts
Am happy with performance even with just my baby cam (224r) but... just picked up a Yank SS3600 and was thinking about adding a set of heads to the mix. My question is, with a small cam like mine will there be a noticable difference with better heads? Was thinking about the 5.3 heads from TSP https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4345-p...-outright.aspx or possibly the as-cast heads they sell https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4345-p...-outright.aspx . Question is, will the extra $400 make that big a difference?
But, cams also determine where you make power, etc. Good heads make power on the entire RPM range. To me, the costs of gaskets and fluids to change the heads will run half the cost of the upgrade, so I'd pay the $400 and not leave anything on the table, but that's me. Say it's a difference of "only" 20 horsepower, that's $20/hp.
#4
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: My own internal universe
Posts: 10,446
Received 1,836 Likes
on
1,145 Posts
Yeah, so say the porting vs as-cast is 20-hp difference, that's $20/hp. realistically, probably more like 10 rwhp, but you'll feel it off idle as well as top end.
#5
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (26)
Good heads will make more power everywhere even with a stock cam. John Lingenfelter said it best. A car with great heads and poor cam will be faster then a good cam with poor heads. The heads are where the power is made.
You could make 460+ whp with that 224r if you went with the best heads(arguably MMS) and a ported fast. The car would drive exceptional and make power everywhere. If you jumped up to a 227/231 you could make another 5-10whp and not lose much if any driveability. After that you start sacraficing driveability for peak power.
Point is, if you can afford the better heads then get the better heads!! Bang for the buck, the PRC 225's look solid with the hollow stem valve option. No budget, MMS 220's.
You could make 460+ whp with that 224r if you went with the best heads(arguably MMS) and a ported fast. The car would drive exceptional and make power everywhere. If you jumped up to a 227/231 you could make another 5-10whp and not lose much if any driveability. After that you start sacraficing driveability for peak power.
Point is, if you can afford the better heads then get the better heads!! Bang for the buck, the PRC 225's look solid with the hollow stem valve option. No budget, MMS 220's.