Grumpyvette or others Need edelbrock rpm vs. trickflow build

[ToplessZ]

Ok heres the deal What are my possibilities on a limited budget. I have a tpi setup a 400 block and the option to either go with some 64cc trickflow heads or some 70cc edelbrock rpm heads. I want the max performance on 92 octane and need some sample builds with hp tq figures. Pro's and cons of each of those heads...maybe even some personal experience. Also need to add that a upgraded base and runners and larger throttle body may be in the near future. Thanks for any help guys

[grumpyvette]

 

 

I am runing the trickflow heads on mine, every comparison of the standard street edelbrock heads show the trickflows are a better hp/tq production head, HOWEVER

 

 

edelbrock does make better high hp heads if your looking for them, and Id swap in an instant for these

[ToplessZ]

Well I already have the edelbrocks and I would really like to know what I can do with these for now. Is all hope lost. I have already polished the runners and removed some ridges from the castings. I want to know what I can do with these right now. Anyone?

[grumpyvette]

I get that question every week, and every case differs quite a bit, especially in the sbc cylinder heads potential your talking about and costs envolved, but in most cases lets face facts those stock sbc iron heads or small port aluminum performance heads, just won,t get you to your goals economically

now that even includes some aluminum ones, even after the expensive port work they don,t measure up to the better large port aftermarket performance cylinder heads,

yes your heads can be ported by a reputable shop, and yes Im aware you just payed $400 or $600 or even $1000 to get those race ready heads from (EBAY,XYZ SPEED & CUSTOM,ETC. and in fact those heads may be exactly what you really need and they don,t need any further work to reach your goals, so keep that in mind but heres the problem,if your looking for max performance, and by that im assuming youll want, 470hp plus, lets assume you can sell those heads for about $600-$800 IF THERE IN GOOD SHAPE, AND IT COSTS ABOUT $600-$1000 FOR A GOOD CAREFULLY DONE PORTING JOB, THAT INCLUDES NEW SPRINGS,CLEARANCE WORK,ETC.! your looking at about either spending $600-$1000 to get them set up correctly or selling them and adding $600-$1000 exactly the same out of pocket expence for $1200-$1800 new better flowing heads, either way your adding $600-$1000 exactly the same out of pocket expence

but buy selling the heads and starting with better heads like the AFR or DART PRO-1,PRO-LIGHTNINGS,ETC,you find, some or all of the following advantages, thicker castings,new less stressed heads, better port designs, larger or more efficient ports, larger or lighter weight valves,better quality springs, greater clearances,more efficient combustion chambers,an generally an easy gain in overall potential.

now if your looking for less than about 450hp the stock or mildly ported and reworked heads may be fine as they are!

 

 

example of porting costs

 

http://www.castheads.com/heads_folder/1heads_set.html

 

http://www.chrracingproducts.com/

 

and heres something few shops will tell you

" the intake and exhaust flow, and the cam you match to them, can easilly limit the air flow reaching the cylinder heads to such a great extent than no amount of port work on the heads will have a major beneficial effect"

[DavyZ]

Sounds like Jared is in the same boat as I am. I already have some good, ported Edelbrock heads (just under 62cc I believe--they've been shaved ever so slightly) with roller rockers on a 350. I am using the Weiand Stealth intake since I think it will perform best for my setup overall. I would think most of this would come down to cam selection more then anything else at this point. From some of the reading I have been doing, 350 to 450 hp seems in the ballpark, but beyond that...well... it looks like a change in heads is necessary. I'm not knocking the Edelbrocks, mind you, but there are better ones out there. Since I am on a shoestring budget, the options are limited to the best used ones I could find at a good price. So the RPMs are it, period. If I am looking at a 400 hp limit, so be it. I'm sure it will put smiles on my face when I mash the thottle

 

Davy

[ToplessZ]

yeah darn limited budget. I was thinking about building a 375-400 hp street engine then adding a 150 shot maybe only 100 but something to help give that little something extra every now and then

Just looking at options at this point though. Im am also thinking about the goodwrench crate engine just as a runner for awhile than upgrading down the road

[grumpyvette]

and keep in mind, your not the only one on a limited budget!

I broke my ankle 26 months ago and have not been able to work since! "Im still recovering from the SECOND surgical rebuild of my ankle"

I have a project corvette that Im SLOWLY gathering the parts for the necessary 600hp/600ftlbs,big block engine, dana 60 rear suspension,4L80e trans, swap to make it into my dream car, trust me, a larger budget would help a great deal. but one piece of advice that Ive learned the HARD WAY OVER YEARS AND HUNDREDS OF PROJECTS,

 

" if your going to have the kind of results that make you proud of the car you built,youll need too make a list of the parts youll need to realistically build your dream car, then aquire those parts as the budget allows, NEVER SUBSTITUTE PARTS that were a" DEAL" simply because they were cheaper, thats the number one most comon mistake! after just not doing any homework and buying random ("cool" but totally mis-matched parts)youll spend the least total amount of money and get the best results by only buying the correct parts,ONCE, buying parts you need to upgrade later is flat out a waste of time and money