383 Cylinder Heads

[tolly4503]

I'm going to be starting to put together my 383 for my truck. I got everything pretty much figured out except the heads and cam. The cam I'll figure out when I decide on the rest of the build. I've heard alot about Vortec heads, and how they make good power, but since I'm buying them new, is there a better head for the money. This engine isnt for racing or high horsepower but I do wanna make good power. If I want to go high horsepower would it be better to just skip the vortecs.

Heres the heads Ive been looking at. Any thoughts?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-151124/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-152123/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12558060/

[webfoot]

For a driver/cruiser I'd pick the 2nd ones, with the larger combustion chambers you'll be able to run regular octane fuel and have a more streetable cam selection. 64cc chambers puts you at about 10:1 cr assuming you have regular flat top pistons with 4 valve reliefs.

[hugger6933]

The vortecs are worth 30 to 40 more hp than other small block heads. The fast burn vortecs [byGM performance parts] should be checked into by you for your build they are awesome!! Edelbrock makes a vortec type heads that are really good.

[tolly4503]

I know they have bigger valves, but smaller intake runners, but would these really be that much better for power then the Vortecs. I know a lot of people like the vortecs, but for the price of heads I want to buy one set that I can use for now and if I go bigger in the future.

BTW anyone know what the factory HP/TQ rating of a '69 350 w/ a 4 BBL

[tolly4503]

I found these heads that are still in my price range, they are kind of a combo of the vortec and other Summit heads I was looking at.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PAR-2151/

If I run a dished piston, I can get my comp. ratio to 9.6-9.7 area.

[PanelDeland]

For about $200 more there are a lot of aftermarket aluminum heads that will get the job done.They will also allow higher com ratio with the same grade of fuel.I think the Vortecs are fine but by the time you have the machine work done to use a cam with more than 450 or so lift you will have nearly as much in them.JMHO

[tolly4503]

Thanks for your input. Maybe I'm comfusing myslef but on Jegs site it says the patriot vortec have a max spring lift of .575, or am I thinking of something else.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Patriot-Perfor...ductId=1192214

[webfoot]

Either their own casting or worked over, they also have screw in rocker arm studs which is part of what limits the lift on the factory ones as they are pressed in.

For a mild build you won't be anywhere near .575 lift. I would figure out the rest of your combo before you buy heads, it is easier to buy heads to suit your build than to design a build around a set of heads.

[tolly4503]

I think I've got most of the build figured out, I'm gonna go with a Scat rotating assembly like this one.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SCA-1-90350/

Edelbrock vortech manifold, havent decided which one, and the cam I'm gonna wait til I figure out what gearing and that I'll end up with. As for the heads I'm just trying to find heads that will work for me without spending a fortune.

[GRX]

Wow. I am amazed at the ever growing aftermarket of internal parts for these engines. A far cry from back in the day when I had to hunt junk yards with a bunch of tools & get grimy while avoiding angry bees & spiders.

[nobull2]

I am building one very close to that. 383 patriot heads and hyro roller cam hope to have it in the truck in a couple of weeks. Ill report on here.

[webfoot]

I'd at least wait until you have the cam/gears picked out. If youre going to throw an RV cam in that thing then smaller runners and 72cc chambers will be good and then you don't really need the patriot units with the upgrades. If you are going to run a cam that likes a little more compression then you can run the smaller combustion chambers, and that will in turn determine if you need upgraded springs/rocker studs.

You need a head that suits the rest of your combo. a 383 is a 383 but a matched combination of parts will make good power on not a lot of $$.

I've got a 383 with flat tops on a stock bottom end with some good AFR heads and a voodoo hyd roller in my 70 chevelle and it takes it down the 1/8 mile in 8 flat.

[tolly4503]

Im goin with 3:73 or 4:10, leaning towards the 4:10s. I did the camquest thing. The cams they recommended me were close to these.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-12-210-2/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-K00172/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-12-211-2/

Do you see anything wrong with either of these?, and thank you for your patience and input.