351W Setup

[candy-a-Mach1]

I just fixed my similar delimna today. I've been debating for some time on reworking a set of '69 casting 351W heads that already had studs and guide plates installed. I got an unexpected bonus check and I was on the line to Summit as quick as a cat. I don't want to get into a debate about what I chose (Trick Flow Twisted Wedge), but these heads should rock!!! I figure that if I ever sell my car, I'll slap some cast iron back on and take them with me. A good set of aluminum heads will work for whatever beast you may build the "next" time. Like 67GTCOUPE said: need more? add a little more elbow grease. You start with "great" performance, and go up from there.

But, I understand sometime you gotta do what you can afford.

 

[Ro Jo]

I've done both. If money is not an issue, aftermarket aluminum is the way to go. You can turn one or both of your cast iron heads into paperweights if you mess up the porting (done that too). Even if money was an issue, I'd wait until I saved enough for AL heads (and I really hate waiting).

 

[Max Power]

I would still like to see the results of that test, though. There is more to performance than just flow numbers, but I am curious. I went with the performer RPM package because I like the fact that the heads cam and intake are all designed to work together. If I ported my own, no telling what combo would work best. I don't have enough money to start my own R&D department.

really, when you look at the $800 your are spending on stock heads before porting, it's only costing you $300 to go with a head that saves you 100lbs off the nose and lets you run a full compression point higher.

Sounds like a deal to me.

 

[Max Power]

Oh, and BTW, if you decide to port your own? Do it before the machine work in case you screw it up.

 

[mrfomoco]

The deal with me porting and polishing my own heads was that he was going to hot tank them, mark 'em and show me exactly what I want to remove and what I don't. And I still think I will go with the aluminum heads but Harold who owns the machine shop is a very smart guy. He has an original Boss 429 motor sitting in his shop on the test stand that he's building for a gentleman. Not many people who have a Boss 429 motor will let just anyone play around with it. Also like I said before, yall make a very convincing argument.

 

[67GTCOUPE]

Do whatever turns your crank.

Personally I equate putting money into any stock head=to wiping your arse with $50.00 bills! It is the best example of TURD polishing that there is........except maybe all those guys who swear by the used edelbrock carbs off ebay.....but that is another fantasy.

 

[mrfomoco]

Ha ha thats pretty funny. I hadn't thought about how much weight you're saving as well as the performance.