What do you guys suggest? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SlickSierra77 · 01-10-2011, 12:01 AM

Hey guys I just purchased a 355 motor minus the top end, Im looking for mid 400hp range and I was wondering what you guys suggest as far as heads and top end and if I should swap the cam for something else. I got a really good deal on this freshly built motor all parts are brand new and it even came with all receipts from the machine shop.

The brand new internals consist of Speed pro pistons #8KL2490F, Eagle ESP Crankshaft #435034805770, Eagle ESP Rods 356CRS5700B3D length 5.7, Edelbrock RPM Cam kit #7102, Pro Comp Billet timing gear double roller #220, oil pan studs, CV steel oil pan and timing cover, Melling HP oil pump, Speed pro rod and main bearings.

Thanks for any help and here is a pic for ya

gchemist · 01-10-2011, 01:14 AM

How big is your budget? AFR aluminum heads are top of the line. Next are other aluminum heads. Machined Vortec and stock Vortec heads being last. Check with Edelbrocks website. Run the cam ID number. Check the heads they used for tests.

chevytruck1970 · 01-10-2011, 01:15 AM

does your trans have a stall? what rear gears will you be running?

Ont67shortbox · 01-10-2011, 01:24 AM

check out Patriot heads

SlickSierra77 · 01-10-2011, 02:00 AM

I've got a decent budget but I'm not sure about afr $1500 heads lol. I've got a th350 transmission recently built with a shift kit I'm waiting to purchase a stall until i purchase a cam. I've got 3.73 gears in the rear.

mongoose · 01-10-2011, 03:39 AM

yeah the patriots would get you to mid 400's... you can slap on some ik180's for a bit more.

Marv D · 01-10-2011, 08:49 AM

All I'm gonna say is HEADS is where the power is made. Nothing else in your list of parts means anyting if you don't choose a head that will support the power level your looking for. A set of decent heads, and a good hydraulic / solid roller cam package to support what your wanting to do is going to be in the $2500 - $3500 range when it's all said and done. Don't fool yourself.

You can get that magic 400HP # with a set of Edelbrock RPM heads,, and a flat tappet cam. But it will hit your peak HP at a higher RPM range, and have less drivability in the lower / mid RPM range. That's the trade-off for a big peak HP number of a tighter budget.

gchemist and I agree 100%, one of the best out of the box heads on the market to meet your goal is the AFR line. You get what you pay for. Not some fluffed up flow number advertised to sell a pig in a fancy dress. When AFR says a head flows 280, you can take it to ANY reputable flow bench and it flows 278-285. Broxdix, Dart, RHS / Patriot, GM, NO ONE will guarentee their advertised flow numbers to be +/- 1% like AFR will. That says volumes about their QC and product.

chevytruck1970 · 01-11-2011, 08:28 PM

couldn't agree more Marv

team39763 · 01-14-2011, 10:29 AM

AFR also has a very nice warranty on their heads too...I believe it's a lifetime warranty.

oldschool53_BBC · 02-02-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marv D

All I'm gonna say is HEADS is where the power is made. Nothing else in your list of parts means anyting if you don't choose a head that will support the power level your looking for. A set of decent heads, and a good hydraulic / solid roller cam package to support what your wanting to do is going to be in the $2500 - $3500 range when it's all said and done. Don't fool yourself.

You can get that magic 400HP # with a set of Edelbrock RPM heads,, and a flat tappet cam. But it will hit your peak HP at a higher RPM range, and have less drivability in the lower / mid RPM range. That's the trade-off for a big peak HP number of a tighter budget.

gchemist and I agree 100%, one of the best out of the box heads on the market to meet your goal is the AFR line. You get what you pay for. Not some fluffed up flow number advertised to sell a pig in a fancy dress. When AFR says a head flows 280, you can take it to ANY reputable flow bench and it flows 278-285. Broxdix, Dart, RHS / Patriot, GM, NO ONE will guarentee their advertised flow numbers to be +/- 1% like AFR will. That says volumes about their QC and product.

Amen..Heads make the deal as long as the supporting cast is in place, cam headers etc..

HP cost if you want it to last....

Rodms · 02-03-2011, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by team39763

AFR also has a very nice warranty on their heads too...I believe it's a lifetime warranty.

When you race it all warranty is void,you can check though,don't tell them I guess?

01-10-2011, 12:01 AM	#1
SlickSierra77 SlickSierra Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Keizer,Oregon Posts: 142	What do you guys suggest? Hey guys I just purchased a 355 motor minus the top end, Im looking for mid 400hp range and I was wondering what you guys suggest as far as heads and top end and if I should swap the cam for something else. I got a really good deal on this freshly built motor all parts are brand new and it even came with all receipts from the machine shop. The brand new internals consist of Speed pro pistons #8KL2490F, Eagle ESP Crankshaft #435034805770, Eagle ESP Rods 356CRS5700B3D length 5.7, Edelbrock RPM Cam kit #7102, Pro Comp Billet timing gear double roller #220, oil pan studs, CV steel oil pan and timing cover, Melling HP oil pump, Speed pro rod and main bearings. Thanks for any help and here is a pic for ya __________________ '77 GMC Sierra 2wd SWB 355SB, TH350

01-10-2011, 01:15 AM	#3
chevytruck1970 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Stilwell, OK Posts: 83	Re: What do you guys suggest? does your trans have a stall? what rear gears will you be running? __________________ Justin weight 3480 with driver 1.35 60ft 6.13@111mph 1/8 mile 9.80@131mph 1/4 mile 434 small block all motor

01-10-2011, 02:00 AM	#5
SlickSierra77 SlickSierra Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Keizer,Oregon Posts: 142	Re: What do you guys suggest? I've got a decent budget but I'm not sure about afr $1500 heads lol. I've got a th350 transmission recently built with a shift kit I'm waiting to purchase a stall until i purchase a cam. I've got 3.73 gears in the rear. __________________ '77 GMC Sierra 2wd SWB 355SB, TH350

01-10-2011, 03:39 AM	#6
mongoose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: slurrey, bc. Posts: 1,134	Re: What do you guys suggest? yeah the patriots would get you to mid 400's... you can slap on some ik180's for a bit more. __________________ -'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler.

01-14-2011, 10:29 AM	#9
team39763 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 469	Re: What do you guys suggest? AFR also has a very nice warranty on their heads too...I believe it's a lifetime warranty. __________________ 1982 Silverado - SBE, cleaned up GM heads, small cam, TH350, 850 Demon, 4.56 gears, and caltracs. Best time so far 11.8@XXXMPH

01-10-2011, 01:14 AM	#2
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: What do you guys suggest? How big is your budget? AFR aluminum heads are top of the line. Next are other aluminum heads. Machined Vortec and stock Vortec heads being last. Check with Edelbrocks website. Run the cam ID number. Check the heads they used for tests. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

01-10-2011, 01:24 AM	#4
Ont67shortbox Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 279	Re: What do you guys suggest? check out Patriot heads

01-10-2011, 08:49 AM	#7
Marv D Registered Truck Offender Join Date: May 2008 Location: hells training ground (aka Ariz) Posts: 3,118	Re: What do you guys suggest? All I'm gonna say is HEADS is where the power is made. Nothing else in your list of parts means anyting if you don't choose a head that will support the power level your looking for. A set of decent heads, and a good hydraulic / solid roller cam package to support what your wanting to do is going to be in the $2500 - $3500 range when it's all said and done. Don't fool yourself. You can get that magic 400HP # with a set of Edelbrock RPM heads,, and a flat tappet cam. But it will hit your peak HP at a higher RPM range, and have less drivability in the lower / mid RPM range. That's the trade-off for a big peak HP number of a tighter budget. gchemist and I agree 100%, one of the best out of the box heads on the market to meet your goal is the AFR line. You get what you pay for. Not some fluffed up flow number advertised to sell a pig in a fancy dress. When AFR says a head flows 280, you can take it to ANY reputable flow bench and it flows 278-285. Broxdix, Dart, RHS / Patriot, GM, NO ONE will guarentee their advertised flow numbers to be +/- 1% like AFR will. That says volumes about their QC and product. __________________ Still playin with trucks, even at my age! When you're dead, it's only a problem for the people around you, because you don't know you're dead. .....It's kinda the same when your STUPID. I just did my taxes and reviewed my SS statement. Thanks to the current administration it looks like I will only have to work till noon on the day of my funeral.

01-11-2011, 08:28 PM	#8
chevytruck1970 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Stilwell, OK Posts: 83	Re: What do you guys suggest? couldn't agree more Marv __________________ Justin weight 3480 with driver 1.35 60ft 6.13@111mph 1/8 mile 9.80@131mph 1/4 mile 434 small block all motor



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