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Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. #2998865
12/27/21 01:59 PM
12/27/21 01:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,779
Mt.Gilead, Ohio
OhioMopar Offline OP
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Bear with me, I can't make any posts short. What is eveyone's experience with Edelbrock Performer RPM heads for a big block Mopar?
Back story: I bought a cheap motor home 440 for my '66 Coronet, a cheap set of redone 516 heads (still small valve) and I have a free/unused Comp cam CL21-228-4. I looked at the combo, still probably 8.5:1 with a big cam and figured it equaled a dog.
So I went hunting for a rotating assembly, found a deal on some CP pistons with H-beam rods, zero gap rings, and Clevite rod bearings. Got them home and did some research, and they appear to be for a 4.15" stroke crank. So now the small valve, unported , closed chamber heads go from mildly inadequate to completely inadequate.
So, after all that, I have narrowed my head options down to what is available, which is Edelbrocks, or port the iron heads and add big valves. The cost may be a wash.
So what is your experience with Edelbrocks? The 84 cc should put me right at 11:1 with a 0.039 gasket. A little higher than I hoped, but livable. Obviously I'll have to get the short block together and do some measuring before I order, but I'd like some feedback on the Performer heads. Or the E-Street heads.

The combo: '66 Coronet 500, street/strip. 727, TCI 11" convertor, 3.54 Dana, Cal-Tracs, Assassin Bars, QA-1 Double adjustables. All steel except for a glass hood, full interior, working heater, etc.

Last edited by OhioMopar; 12/27/21 02:27 PM.

1969 Dart GTS 340
1969 Super Bee X9 N-96
1969 Coronet R/T X9 N-96
2015 Dodge Dart GT
2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn.
Looking for the original block for my Bee. The last 4 are 7449
Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: OhioMopar] #2998867
12/27/21 02:15 PM
12/27/21 02:15 PM
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Wichita
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GY3 Offline
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My neighbor had a 493" shortblock and bought E-street heads.

He bolted them on and made 502 hp and, as I recall 600 ft/lbs. of torque on a very conservative tune with a pretty small cam.

The Dart he put the engine in was very calm and had great street manners but was a torque monster!


'63 Dodge 330
11.19 @ 121 mph
Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs.
10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.

Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: GY3] #2998868
12/27/21 02:19 PM
12/27/21 02:19 PM
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Oregon
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AndyF Offline
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Sounds about right. The Edelbrock heads won't make a lot of horsepower out of the box but they will be a good upgrade for a street engine.

Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: GY3] #2998872
12/27/21 02:28 PM
12/27/21 02:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,779
Mt.Gilead, Ohio
OhioMopar Offline OP
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Originally Posted by GY3
My neighbor had a 493" shortblock and bought E-street heads.

He bolted them on and made 502 hp and, as I recall 600 ft/lbs. of torque on a very conservative tune with a pretty small cam.

The Dart he put the engine in was very calm and had great street manners but was a torque monster!

Very cool. It will be a fun driver and will need the street manners.


1969 Dart GTS 340
1969 Super Bee X9 N-96
1969 Coronet R/T X9 N-96
2015 Dodge Dart GT
2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn.
Looking for the original block for my Bee. The last 4 are 7449
Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: AndyF] #2998874
12/27/21 02:32 PM
12/27/21 02:32 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,779
Mt.Gilead, Ohio
OhioMopar Offline OP
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Originally Posted by AndyF
Sounds about right. The Edelbrock heads won't make a lot of horsepower out of the box but they will be a good upgrade for a street engine.

Excellent. I hope to put a ton of miles on this car.


1969 Dart GTS 340
1969 Super Bee X9 N-96
1969 Coronet R/T X9 N-96
2015 Dodge Dart GT
2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn.
Looking for the original block for my Bee. The last 4 are 7449
Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: OhioMopar] #2998876
12/27/21 02:35 PM
12/27/21 02:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
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Atlanta, GA
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mgoblue9798 Offline
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Maybe take the heads in to get a good valve job and a chamber cut to unshroud the valves and kill to birds with one stone.

Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: mgoblue9798] #2998880
12/27/21 02:45 PM
12/27/21 02:45 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,644
So Near, Yet So Far
topside Online content
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Ran a set on one RB, no problems. Did need some cleanup & porting to get good flow #s (Edelbrock's were exaggerated), and I swapped to a double spring.
Stealths on another, stronger RB; I like the OEM appearance, again worked fine, same mods.
Folks seem to really like the TrickFlow 240s & 270s, reporting more power.

For anything that doesn't have to be restored/stock, I prefer aluminum heads by a mile:
Lighter weight
Better flow usually than OEM
Easier to port, or repair if need be
Less detonation sensitive
More CR options depending on application

Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: mgoblue9798] #2998882
12/27/21 02:49 PM
12/27/21 02:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,779
Mt.Gilead, Ohio
OhioMopar Offline OP
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Originally Posted by mgoblue9798
Maybe take the heads in to get a good valve job and a chamber cut to unshroud the valves and kill to birds with one stone.

The 516s?


1969 Dart GTS 340
1969 Super Bee X9 N-96
1969 Coronet R/T X9 N-96
2015 Dodge Dart GT
2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn.
Looking for the original block for my Bee. The last 4 are 7449
Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: topside] #2998884
12/27/21 02:54 PM
12/27/21 02:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,779
Mt.Gilead, Ohio
OhioMopar Offline OP
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Originally Posted by topside
Ran a set on one RB, no problems. Did need some cleanup & porting to get good flow #s (Edelbrock's were exaggerated), and I swapped to a double spring.
Stealths on another, stronger RB; I like the OEM appearance, again worked fine, same mods.
Folks seem to really like the TrickFlow 240s & 270s, reporting more power.

For anything that doesn't have to be restored/stock, I prefer aluminum heads by a mile:
Lighter weight
Better flow usually than OEM
Easier to port, or repair if need be
Less detonation sensitive
More CR options depending on application

My first choice was unported Steaths. Out of stock. Trick Flows are a little bit out of the budget right now, but I have them on my 512 in my Super Bee and like them a lot. I looked into Promaxx(out of stock) and Sidewinder(also seem to be out of stock). Maybe by the time I get the crank and the block bored, some will be in stock, but I'm kind of inclined to buy some things before they are not available, either. I've heard of quality slipping on the E-brocks, and the fact that they are the only thing still to be found is rather concerning. But I'll just have them checked over before they get bolted on.


1969 Dart GTS 340
1969 Super Bee X9 N-96
1969 Coronet R/T X9 N-96
2015 Dodge Dart GT
2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn.
Looking for the original block for my Bee. The last 4 are 7449
Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: OhioMopar] #2998891
12/27/21 03:08 PM
12/27/21 03:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
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usa
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lewtot184 Offline
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there's pro's and con's to everything. when i did edelbrock rpms the castings and port window location wasn't great. the rocker geometry wasn't close so there was a push rod expense. i wanted to run factory valve covers and they wouldn't fit, another expense. pro's are spark plug selection and i do think they burn a little cleaner than factory iron. power wise i don't think they make any more power than a ported big valve iron head they replaced and definitely cost a little more to install in the long run. if all you have is '516's then you'll need to do something for heads. 11:1 with pump gas would make me edgy but you'll have to pick your poison.

Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: OhioMopar] #2998893
12/27/21 03:13 PM
12/27/21 03:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,479
So. Burlington, Vt.
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fast68plymouth Offline
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I have no reservations about running Ede heads.

BBM stroker & RPM heads? No problem.


68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123
Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: fast68plymouth] #2998901
12/27/21 03:34 PM
12/27/21 03:34 PM
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Posts: 17,801
S.E. Michigan
ZIPPY Offline
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I bought the RPM heads when they first came out. (don't really want to think how long ago that was!)

I've had quite a few years of good service from them and really can't complain for the $1050 per pair that I paid.

Car isn't very far off from what is being considered, but is 451ci.
Really has been a fun combination.

Did not really do much of anything to the heads.
I had them milled to 78cc, had the guides honed slightly looser, lapped the valves and had them backcut to the lap line,
and I blended in the rough cut opening at the intake/exhaust flange.










Rich H.

Esse Quam Videri




Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: GY3] #2998913
12/27/21 03:49 PM
12/27/21 03:49 PM
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Posts: 6,545
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick Offline
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Downtown Roebuck Ont
Originally Posted by GY3
My neighbor had a 493" shortblock and bought E-street heads.

He bolted them on and made 502 hp and, as I recall 600 ft/lbs. of torque on a very conservative tune with a pretty small cam.

The Dart he put the engine in was very calm and had great street manners but was a torque monster!


That's about what my 493 did with RPMs and an MP509 cam with a tick under 9:1.

Heads were inspected and had a proper valve job done.

Kevin

Last edited by Twostick; 12/27/21 03:50 PM.
Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: Twostick] #2998972
12/27/21 06:50 PM
12/27/21 06:50 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
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Lots of deals out there. These are not mine

B9F492E4-A759-496C-BC99-CD7B04834D28.jpeg

1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: OhioMopar] #2999005
12/27/21 08:33 PM
12/27/21 08:33 PM
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Atlanta, GA
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mgoblue9798 Offline
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No the eddies.

Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: pittsburghracer] #2999113
12/28/21 10:47 AM
12/28/21 10:47 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,779
Mt.Gilead, Ohio
OhioMopar Offline OP
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I'm in line for those heads. Quite a few inquiries ahead of me, though.


1969 Dart GTS 340
1969 Super Bee X9 N-96
1969 Coronet R/T X9 N-96
2015 Dodge Dart GT
2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn.
Looking for the original block for my Bee. The last 4 are 7449
Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: OhioMopar] #2999166
12/28/21 01:58 PM
12/28/21 01:58 PM
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Missouri
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jwb123 Offline
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My experience is they flow and make HP like a set of decent hand ported 906 heads. Good upgrade on a mild street engine.

Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: jwb123] #2999243
12/28/21 05:54 PM
12/28/21 05:54 PM
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Denver, CO
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BigBlockGTS Offline
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More neutral to negative comments than I would have expected. Unless you were running Indy stuff, this was the premier head for over 10 years. Mild street engines? People were using them on a ton of stroker builds and went pretty quick. With unported stealths flowing in the 250's, typical competent ported heads in the 260-270's (real world) and these in the 270-280 range (I think the early ones were really pretty close to 290), I think they are a great choice of head. Until recently, you had to go to truly race type heads until the Trickflows came out.

Not giving anyone specifically a hard time and this is the "Race" section, but I feel these heads saved big block mopar street/bracket engines in the early 2000's as we really had nothing else other than 40 year old iron and horrible Stage VI castings..

Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: BigBlockGTS] #2999248
12/28/21 06:10 PM
12/28/21 06:10 PM
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Arlington, Texas
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bobby66 Offline
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There's some stuff in the tech archives about them that is pretty positive. Pretty good step forward when they first came out. Still on my 440 all these years later. up

Re: Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads. [Re: BigBlockGTS] #2999253
12/28/21 06:22 PM
12/28/21 06:22 PM
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Posts: 20,116
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pittsburghracer Offline
"Little"John
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Originally Posted by BigBlockGTS
More neutral to negative comments than I would have expected. Unless you were running Indy stuff, this was the premier head for over 10 years. Mild street engines? People were using them on a ton of stroker builds and went pretty quick. With unported stealths flowing in the 250's, typical competent ported heads in the 260-270's (real world) and these in the 270-280 range (I think the early ones were really pretty close to 290), I think they are a great choice of head. Until recently, you had to go to truly race type heads until the Trickflows came out.

Not giving anyone specifically a hard time and this is the "Race" section, but I feel these heads saved big block mopar street/bracket engines in the early 2000's as we really had nothing else other than 40 year old iron and horrible Stage VI castings..




A lot of guys always want the new kid on the block. Edelbrock big block heads easily go 300 plus with minor work. 310-320 with some effort and probably push 330 with a valve change and a little more work. Put on a ported single plane intake and a big enough cam and you have more street, street strip power than most guys want or need.


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




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