Thoughts on heads

-
@PRH If the Performer RPM will leave flow on the table, what would be better for a low deck stroker, say 470? Victor? Trick flow intake? Still for a street car.
My .02-
As with most things regarding this kind of decision, the answer ends up being “it depends”.
In my mind, the manifold choice should be linked to how the vehicle is equipped and how it will be used(which are hopefully on the same page).
I guess I’d put it this way, a low deck 470-512 with good std port heads…….
Rpm- “milder” combos up to about 525hp
M1/SD- 525-575hp
TF/Vic- 575-650hp
Obviously there would be some overlap on which is the better option, which would more come down to the complimentary equipment in the car, and the intended use.
And the bigger the cubes, the earlier you could move up to the next manifold “stage” without the consequences of doing that having a big negative impact on the street driving aspects.

And with something like TF270’s, I’d look at the TF intake as being the entry level piece for a low deck.
 
Last edited:
My first choice for an intake for a mid- level build 383 is a Holley SD followed closely by the RPM.
Realistically a mid-level build would be in 425- 450 hp range easily supported by both intakes.
 
Has anyone dyno or track tested a RPM with the divider milled down verse not milled on a 500-600 hp deal?

May be a decent option between a single and dual plane intake choice.
 
My first choice for an intake for a mid- level build 383 is a Holley SD followed closely by the RPM.
Realistically a mid-level build would be in 425- 450 hp range easily supported by both intakes.
I’d lean more towards the RPM myself…….. primarily because they’re still available new.
And I’ve had them make over 450hp on a few 383’s.

Come to think of it, I did some basic porting on a set of stealths that went on a hot street low deck 511, which I’m pretty sure used an rpm intake.
That combo made 585hp.
 
Last edited:

Well they are wrong
For some reason when I rebuilt the engine that I just had built since the builder didn't notice my 400 block at 4.375 bore required notching.
Not because the valves were going to hit the cylinder wall but simply because the chamber overlapped the deck surface and I unshrouded that so It wasn't washing the cylinder down because of fuel hitting the deck & I believe that was also causing some detonation on the first rendition of my 470.
So that's just something for anyone who's installing any new heads to watch out for.
 
Intake choice is tunnel ram or nothing lol.
Track heat or rpm is good too as previously stated by others.
 
My .02-
As with most things regarding this kind of decision, the answer ends up being “it depends”.
In my mind, the manifold choice should be linked to how the vehicle is equipped and how it will be used(which are hopefully on the same page).
I guess I’d put it this way, a low deck 470-512 with good std port heads…….
Rpm- “milder” combos up to about 525hp
M1/SD- 525-575hp
TF/Vic- 575-650hp
Obviously there would be some overlap on which is the better option, which would more come down to the complimentary equipment in the car, and the intended use.
And the bigger the cubes, the earlier you could move up to the next manifold “stage” without the consequences of doing that having a big negative impact on the street driving aspects.

And with something like TF270’s, I’d look at the TF intake as being the entry level piece for a low deck.
So are you saying just buy the 270s and don't port the 240s and put 100 hours into a tunnel ram ?
I know the answer lol.
Actually glad I did my stuff the way I did, I learned a lot and I have just about as good as 270s now.
 
Last edited:
Unless you can recommend something better for mainly street and some strip.
Edelbrock RPM and a Holley with 440 Source heads were very snappy from go on my 383, but this is way more better.

20250615_133121.jpg
 
I had a Holley dp 750 on the RPM intake.
The tunnel ram had 390s, then 600s, now efi, each was progressively better, with the efi being a different animal entirely.
 
-
Back
Top Bottom