Exploring big block aluminum head options.
#1865433
07/06/15 09:47 PM
07/06/15 09:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043 State of Confusion
hp383
OP
Just a normal tag again
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OP
Just a normal tag again
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043
State of Confusion
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I am working on a budget build 383, and would like to explore the aluminum heads available.
I know Eddelbrock, and 440 Source both offer them, but recall there was a member here that knew of another new comer to the market. They had a head that was sort of a combination of the Eddy, and 440 Source products.
And do i look at bare heads, or complete assemblies to save money? Do the assembled heads have to be taken apart and worked? I remember hearing that that might be the case.
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Re: Exploring big block aluminum head options.
[Re: Azzkikrcuda]
#1865470
07/06/15 10:41 PM
07/06/15 10:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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I bought a pair of 'source "super stealth" heads with some trepidation even tho 'source recommended to a buddy to get the regular ones, the $100 off (ea) was too good (for me) to pass up. Ain't did nothing with em (yet). not sure if I can ream the guides out to use the 2.14/1.81 valves I have sitting on the shelf (11/32 to 3/8). I did get their roller rocker pkg with the offset intakes
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Exploring big block aluminum head options.
[Re: RapidRobert]
#1865601
07/07/15 12:58 AM
07/07/15 12:58 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,243 Star Idaho
67vertman
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,243
Star Idaho
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I went the Eledbrock RPM performer heads. I have been running them for three years.
My engine builder did some head and valve work. He said the cost to do 906 steel heads to run like the RPM would cost just as much as the RPMs.
My Monster are real!
Living within your means makes life pretty easy.
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Re: Exploring big block aluminum head options.
[Re: hp383]
#1865843
07/07/15 01:27 PM
07/07/15 01:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,122 Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,122
Niles , Ohio
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I have one of the first set of Stealths made.Been on for years no problems.I did have the springs retainers and locks changed.I run a .588 cam solid and rev up to 7200 so it was a no brainer.Mine were checked and just cleaned up.Happy with them.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
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Re: Exploring big block aluminum head options.
[Re: dynamite]
#1865852
07/07/15 01:45 PM
07/07/15 01:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Here's a quick reply. As JohnRR has pointed out for a long time, and as I have explored with HP calculator in hand, it is doggone hard to build compression with a 383. For 10.5:1 compression, the volume above the piston is 83cc. For that reason alone I would go directly to the 72cc Edelbrock E-street heads. All of the alternatives of which I am aware run 80cc and up. I do not like to think of buying a new pair of street heads and immediately sticking at least $200 in them to get them milled to reduce combustion chamber size.
Secondly, keep in mind that a 383 is a smallblock living in a bigblock body. Unless you are going to twist the engine to 8000rpm, you do not need more airflow than any of the heads can provide, stock. Pretty basically, I'm looking at a max flow number of around 260cfm as what is needed to get to around 550hp. Pretty much all of the aluminum heads on the market can do that without porting. The extra flow capacity of, say, the Sidewinder heads will do you no good and the larger stock chamber will decrease compression below optimum. This is just an example, I could have said the same about any of the others.
Third, I do not know how far along your build is, or your budget. Here are some areas where I feel you could make some improvements to the shortblock: 1. Pistons - 383 pistons are very close in weight to 440 pistons, both being around 150 grams too heavy, with a pin about 50 grams too heavy. Lightweight forgings will reduce loads on the 3/8" con rod bolts and keep your engine alive higher in the rev scale. Plus they improve the engine's responsiveness. 2. Rods - Stock rods are heavy but strong, except for the 3/8" bolts. There are replacements out there, at least Eagle makes one.
Fourth, Edelbrock builds things in the US and if we want them to stay in business we have to support them.
Good Luck! R.
PS: I have not mentioned the word stroker because you did not bring it up. But getting to 450 cubic inches with that block could be done pretty easily.
Last edited by dogdays; 07/07/15 01:51 PM.
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Re: Exploring big block aluminum head options.
[Re: hp383]
#1865977
07/07/15 05:51 PM
07/07/15 05:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043 State of Confusion
hp383
OP
Just a normal tag again
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OP
Just a normal tag again
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,043
State of Confusion
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Thanks for the information everyone. This wont be a stroker, just a nice 383 to play with. I want to build it in a similar fashion to my prior race motor. But want to keep the compression in the pump gas range.
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Re: Exploring big block aluminum head options.
[Re: hp383]
#1866509
07/08/15 12:36 PM
07/08/15 12:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,582 Rust Belt, SW PA
Silver70
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Rust Belt, SW PA
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I bought some promaxx heads through summit this year for my 383. Paid around 950 with 10% off. But I haven't installed them yet and can't say much about them at this point.
68 Road Runner, 69 Belvedere, 71 Challenger Vert 340 barracuda, 01 Ram CTD, 95 Ram, 04 Ram, 85 Daytona turbo Z 66 GTO, 06 Magnum RT AWD. 07 Ram CTD, 07 Ram
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Re: Exploring big block aluminum head options.
[Re: Silver70]
#1866546
07/08/15 01:26 PM
07/08/15 01:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
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I Live Here
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With an aluminum head and proper squish, you should be able to run pump premium at 10.5:1 with no hassles.
Either pistons 0.020 in the hole and a thin head gasket or zero deck and a 0.040" head gasket will nail it. There's no need to go farther. Jegs has the 75cc heads (I mis-remembered 72cc above) for $1400 and change and all parts are more than adequate for a decent street engine. Plus the heads flow more than I remembered, so big enough if you ever decide to go stroker.
Does anyone else out there have a 72-75cc head for B/RB Mopar?
R.
Last edited by dogdays; 07/08/15 01:33 PM.
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Re: Exploring big block aluminum head options.
[Re: dogdays]
#1866766
07/08/15 06:00 PM
07/08/15 06:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,804 Wichita
GY3
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master
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Wichita
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I bought a pair of Stealth earlier this year. I replaced the 906's that were on a fresh rebuild. The locks and retainers were replaced. The 440, despite being a low compression ring and bearing shortblock, really picked up. Memorial day a piston decided to come detached from the rod (my fault) and the motor came apart.
Fortunately the Stealths suffered only two bent valves and checked out okay.
Looking forward to a 505" shortblock!
'63 Dodge 330
11.19 @ 121 mph Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs.
9.92 @ 135mph with a 350 shot of nitrous and 93 octane pump. 1.43 60 ft. 3,750 lbs.
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