always having done big blocks i know them but loving the gen3 stuff now.(and learning) i have a 06 300 heritage that is a great car but want a bit more power (currently 5.7) want to do a 4" stroke 5.7 n/a nothing crazy, just a good driver. (450-500hp?) my question is cyl heads, should i stay with non eagle or upgrade to eagles? am i losing power by staying non eagle? whats the best bang for the buck?

let me start by saying, if you want to build because you know what goes in it, I understand.
but at that hp level, why not find a 392 someone dropped out. they are right in the middle of your hp ask.
I have been looking for a drop out for a while and I see those going for around 3 to 4k with transmission.
the crate motor ecm runs them and there is no making things work. as that is what I am fighting now.

Search Engine Master series, I believe S7 Ep 4
Eagle heads are good for almost 100hp extra compared to earlier.
Based on the testing they did, no way I'd ever start with a non-Eagle head.

i would love a takeout 392 but i want a bolt in, no re pinning plugs, programming and vvt issues. mechanical i am good with but electrical on newer stuff is out of my skill/comfort zone. Plus, going with a stroker i can buy quality internals as well in case i want to add a power adder.

An eagle head swap, 6.1 cam, and long tube headers will easily get you into that range. You don't even need to touch the bottom end for that little HP. This is hands down the best bang for the buck to get you to that power level.

Don't be afraid of the compression gained from that swap with stock head gaskets, they run fine on 91 octane. This is not an iron headed, iron intake, oil heated intake, coolant heated intake, crappy open chamber, iron headed, 1960s design that detonates at 10 to 1 compression, they are totally fine with 12 to1.

You've ran Eagle headed early 5.7's without the thick head gaskets on pump 91? I have an early 5.7 to go in a swap, and I have a set of Eagles (and Apaches) and was considering using them but didn't want to go with the thicker head gaskets, pushrods etc. I have a 6.1 cam and 6.1 Jeep SRT manifolds for exhaust. Will be using the A518 with a 2500 stall and 4.56 gear

Good info here

https://youtube.com/watch?v=w0JeWpoMCHQ&si=LpraU2lm2yH5FTzC

Yes and the only time it ever showed any activity on the knock sensors was with 87 octane and even then it wasn't much.

What did you do for an intake? The Eagle intake interferes with the pre Eagle block. Grind down the intake/timing cover?

appreciate the replies guys

so my thoughts as of today. 2006 5.7 block. 4" stroker. stock eagle heads (65cc), 10.5-11-1 compression 6.1 intake, headers and ill figure out the cam when the time comes.
so what headers do i use? 09-up?

sound like a ok plan?