Whta is a better head Iron or aluminum???
08-28-2009, 10:11 AM
#1
Whta is a better head Iron or aluminum??? I know this has been on here before but wich head is better? The iron b body heads or f body aluminum heads? Obviously the aluminum saves weight but I have read the iron head out flows the aluminum.
The reason I'm asking is I have a 96 b body motor in my Z right now with around 40,000. I am looking to put a cam and 1.6 roller rockers in and want to know should I stick with the iron heads and just open them up with the intake? or find a pair of 643 aluminum heads (I have read that these are the best aluminum LT1 heads for porting) and go with that?
I also have been looking at cams and the LT4 hotcam looks like a good cam but I have heard the comp cams have just as much lift with less lope wich smooths out the idle a little. I would like to stay around .515 to .550 lift with the 1.6's.
Any ideas or let me know what your combo is and how well it works together.
The reason I'm asking is I have a 96 b body motor in my Z right now with around 40,000. I am looking to put a cam and 1.6 roller rockers in and want to know should I stick with the iron heads and just open them up with the intake? or find a pair of 643 aluminum heads (I have read that these are the best aluminum LT1 heads for porting) and go with that?
I also have been looking at cams and the LT4 hotcam looks like a good cam but I have heard the comp cams have just as much lift with less lope wich smooths out the idle a little. I would like to stay around .515 to .550 lift with the 1.6's.
Any ideas or let me know what your combo is and how well it works together.
08-28-2009, 10:39 AM
#2
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I'd run aluminum if it were me. Iron flow slighty more stock, but forget about porting those pigs...
Hotcam kit is a good deal, Comp isnt bad either
Check these
GM846
CC305
XE503
Hotcam
Crane227
LPE219
Might want to shoot Lloyd Elliot a call about porting those aluminum heads, although I dont think he'll love you if you send him irons. The budget porting might be perfect for you.
-Dustin-
Hotcam kit is a good deal, Comp isnt bad either
Check these
GM846
CC305
XE503
Hotcam
Crane227
LPE219
Might want to shoot Lloyd Elliot a call about porting those aluminum heads, although I dont think he'll love you if you send him irons. The budget porting might be perfect for you.
-Dustin-
08-28-2009, 01:40 PM
#5
The iron heads do flow a negligible amount more, but weight a significant amount more.
One thing worth noting is that the iron heads have pressed in studs and the aluminum heads have screw in studs. So if you want to upgrade to ARP 7/16" studs, you will need to have your iron heads tapped. You might as well get a pair of aluminum heads to install your rocker arm studs and guideplates.
I would at least get a 3-angle valve job done on them and pressure test them too, not to mention a slight true up mill to ensure flatness. If you have the cash for porting, that would be ideal.
Since the heads will be off, it will be an oportune time to get a thinner head gasket to bump up the compression a little. Look into a GM Impala head gasket or a Mr.Gasket thinner head gasket.
The LT4 hot cam is decent cam, but IMO, there are much better cams out there. If you are going to be using stock heads and plan to use the car mostly on the street, I would recommend the CC503 cam. I have it and I am very satisfied with it. If the car will be used more for track only purposes, you might look into using the CC306 cam.
This will help you choose the right cam for you:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-m...ion-guide.html
One thing worth noting is that the iron heads have pressed in studs and the aluminum heads have screw in studs. So if you want to upgrade to ARP 7/16" studs, you will need to have your iron heads tapped. You might as well get a pair of aluminum heads to install your rocker arm studs and guideplates.
I would at least get a 3-angle valve job done on them and pressure test them too, not to mention a slight true up mill to ensure flatness. If you have the cash for porting, that would be ideal.
Since the heads will be off, it will be an oportune time to get a thinner head gasket to bump up the compression a little. Look into a GM Impala head gasket or a Mr.Gasket thinner head gasket.
The LT4 hot cam is decent cam, but IMO, there are much better cams out there. If you are going to be using stock heads and plan to use the car mostly on the street, I would recommend the CC503 cam. I have it and I am very satisfied with it. If the car will be used more for track only purposes, you might look into using the CC306 cam.
This will help you choose the right cam for you:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-m...ion-guide.html
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08-28-2009, 06:34 PM
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08-30-2009, 01:39 PM
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hey man... id deff say go with aluminum heads... i have a set of stock lt1 heads off my car that im looking to get rid of... but they are 561 casting off a 97 i know you said you want the 643.. but id sell them pretty cheap.... anyway... take a look at TEA too... im buying their trickflows... run about the same as most AI deals but you dont get a cam with it... anyway if your interested inthe heads let me know...
08-30-2009, 02:13 PM
#16
hey man... id deff say go with aluminum heads... i have a set of stock lt1 heads off my car that im looking to get rid of... but they are 561 casting off a 97 i know you said you want the 643.. but id sell them pretty cheap.... anyway... take a look at TEA too... im buying their trickflows... run about the same as most AI deals but you dont get a cam with it... anyway if your interested inthe heads let me know...
