jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

Looking for some good heads for a SBC400
and I see two sets of vendors - the "big
guys" (World Products, Edelbrock, etc.)
and some "little guys". Since I don't
need anything fancy (this is a tall-
geared, way-heavy cruiser that won't
see the high side of 5000RPM) there's
not much point in me going for the
high-zoot, high-lift, high-winding
heads that seem to the big deal for
1/4 mile cars. I just want to get this
engine to maybe 300HP and no worries.
So the "little guys" with their prices
of $359/pair are more appealing than a
fancy set at $500-$800 a side. I have a
set of headers and a mildly performance
Crane cam waiting to go on, but nothing
real push-the-envelope here.

What I'm looking for here is any feedback
from folks who've used lower-priced but
"high performance" aftermarket cast
iron SBC heads from "Aerohead", "Performance
Heads", "Tri-State Cylinder Head" or other
vendors of low-price, semi-high-performance,
good-to-go bolt-on heads. Quality? Durability?
Performance? Delivery?

1 Stout Z

iTrader: (1)

You could get off real cheap by getting a set of "double hump" heads like a set of 461's, 462's, 291-2's, 041's, they would probably run anywhere from $100-300 depending on where you find them and they would probably make 300hp also depending on the rest of your setup.

If you are determined on buying a new set of heads without the cost then I would say the Dart S/R torquer heads would be the cheapest way to get your hp you want without sacrificing streetability. They have 2.02X1.60 valves and .560 max lift springs. They would be a good cheap replacement for the "double humps" and would be good for a litte more hp. $379.99 assembled/each.

RED2K

vortec heads are real good right out of the box

CW 99 Z

Honestly, 300 hp isnt all that hard to get. Pick up a set of 882 casting number from your local wrecking yard. Make sure they have the 1.94 1.50 valves. Should be about $75 set. Have a machine shop do a valve job and replace the springs with Z28 springs. You need to stay away from 64cc heads with the 400 as I'm sure you know. You could go through the mail for some heads but I think it will be just as cheap or cheaper to do what I just mentioned and you know what your getting. I had a set of heads done at my machine shop a little while ago that cost me $225. This included hot tank, pressure tested, valve job, machined surfaces, and assembled with new Z28 springs good to .500 lift.
Chris

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

Thanks. I looked through a few head casting #
references and these 333882 heads look like the
ticket; big chamber (the thing pings on 93 now)
and used on some earlier 400s and some 350s.
So that's where I'm "headed"... heh.

thedave8

i could get 300 hp in my sleep with very mild 4oosbc, awesome torque from these also, was making 360 with 280/ d 488 lift cam, perf. intake, and 750 holley through stock smog heads and headers.....400's getting scarce, though take care of it