cast or aluminum heads

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Old 12-07-2014, 07:08 PM
sundaymoney's Avatar
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Default cast or aluminum heads

I have 350 chevy motor carbureted. comp cam 288 hr 520 /540 lift I need 200 cc runners 64cc looking for a good set of heads not sure what's better aluminum or cast which company has the best bang for the buck thanks
 
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Old 12-08-2014, 02:38 PM
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I suspect you are asking which is better, cast aluminum or cast iron. All things being equal, cat aluminum heads conduct heat away better than cast iron, and for that reason can tolerate a higher compression ratio. Heads, cam, intake, exhaust have to be matched for best results. Too much cam for the heads will kill low end torque, while not enough cam for the heads will reduce power at high RPM. Besides runner capacity the design of the combustion chamber, and port shape has a major effect on how a head design performs. Being that you already have a cam, why not ask the people at Comp, which heads work best with that cam.
 
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Old 12-14-2014, 05:05 PM
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I agree 100% with Pete, not to mention the aluminum heads weigh considerably less than cast ones. every pound dropped is noticeable on these big cars.
 
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Old 12-15-2014, 08:56 AM
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Although I agree that cast aluminum heads run cooler, and dissipate heat quicker; there are cast iron heads that are built to perform as well. I'm also not sure that when you compare the gains of a quality cast aluminum head to a good quality cast iron, that most street engines gain enough to make the cost difference worthwhile. Considering you can get a very good pair of cast iron heads for much less money than a set of cast aluminum, are you really going to be happier spending that much more for a little weight and peformance gain on the street?
I actually went back to cast iron heads on my 350 SBC, as I think they're so trouble free, and made enough HP that my strip times weren't much different than what I saw with the aluminum heads. I still run Edelbrock aluminum heads on my BBC, but it sees more strip time, and I want every weight gain, and HP I can get with it.
 
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Old 12-15-2014, 03:55 PM
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thank you for your time
 
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Old 12-16-2014, 04:28 PM
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thanks
 
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Old 12-16-2014, 04:31 PM
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thank for you opinion from someone whose been there and done it thanks again
 
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