Cylinder heads for 383 choices..choices...choices

Imo Apita

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Feb 28, 2009
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Despite my original intent to buy the Procomps from White Performance a seed of doubt has been planted.

AFR and Brodix are wildly out of budget, unless I go Craigslist or Racingjunk.com
Read about the AFR"s that they are fairly poor at oil control, as in too much oil is kept on top. As in oil return holes need to be smoothed out. Any truth to that?
Been reading my David Vizard books again and that brought another choice, maybe getting a set of stock heads, have them cut for larger valves and practice porting.
This Ebay store sells new EQ heads for $135 including shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEV...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Home ported and ready to run for what....$650 total maybe $700?
Question is if 170cc runners are big enough for a 383, I doubt it.

So once again I'm on the fence. All suggestions are welcome. Budget is $850-$900 max.

Procomp by Skip White $829 set up for SR cam
Procomp overstock Ebay $365/bare
DART Iron heads Ebay $600/ bare
RHS Pro action Iron Ebay $600/bare
 
My wife calls me obsessed by now, I call it a hobby.
Change my mind more often then a crack addict.

Choice is down to the following three in random order

  • Procomp 200 cc $829 w/SR springs
  • EQ 200 cc $750 unknown how much the SR upgrade is.
  • Prostar heads 190 cc 2.05 valve $599 including SR springs and shipping is free.

Procomp
http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=3303-CYL

EQ
http://www.rogersperformance.com/EQFlow.htm

Prostar:
http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=3303-CYL
 
Looks like the Prostar heads are $669 now..... if I was buying Procomp or Prostar I'd try to get them at a local shop so I can at least see the heads before paying.
With a $900 budget I think the Procomp heads are the best deal among the choices you list....
 
After talking with you about what you're trying to build, my suggestion would be something in about the 190cc range. Figure 5cc in either direction. Looking for the torque on a big displacement small block, I just think that's going to be the best compromise. But then again, I only claim to be an expert on that other forum! :drink:
 
This is an example of what is out there on the cheap. I have never done business with any of these places, so it is just for example.

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/...-Chevy-Complete-Aluminum-Cylinder-Heads-.html

Do a search on www.racingjunk.com for SBC cylinder heads and you will find more options. The bare heads you provide a link to would be a waste of your resources IMO. By the time you buy springs, valves etc, etc you would have invested close to what a complete aluminum head would cost. 64 cc chambers and 190cc runners make for a reliable street/strip head and easily produce 425 HP. Price on metal will continue to rise and be reflected in the cost of heads. Porting bare iron heads is a losing proposition IMO, but everyone has a different idea.

I have done the porting you suggest on a set of GM 186 casting iron heads from a 69 Corvette. New vortec heads run stronger right out of the box. If you already had a good set of iron heads to play it might be fun, but not a good investment to start from bare heads IMO. This is a very informative thread to read.
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56505

Skip White has given me good advice in the past, but I'd not even consider a 170 cc runner head for a 383 engine. It would counter the cost of stroking the rotating assembly and not develop its potential. IMO a good street/strip combo will produce peak HP and torque under 6000 RPM's. Good luck and all just in my opinion.
 
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I am using the Brodix IK200 heads on my 388. They are good heads,and i have no complaints with them.
 
Machineshop is getting in a pair or Brodix RR200 in a couple of weeks.
They need to take a look at them but might be able to get them for around $800 which would be a pretty good deal I guess.
 
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