Head choices? So many these days

rumblefish360 said

For a future rookie big block builder, when is there to much head. I liken the big block family similar to the small block family in certain ways. Long stroke vs. small stroke, 360 vs. 318 is much like a 383/400 vs. a 440/500.

How would anyone here decide on a head for general purpose/performance build ups vs. a heavy hitter/race engine build for the respective engine sizes?

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/forumdisplay.php?f=74

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Too much head is, I think, really subjective. Just like "what is the best 'general use' head". Every package is different, and in terms of getting or giving advice, you'll get all different ideas on how to skin the cat. Personally, on a street engine, regardless of dispacement, I always err to the smaller is better side. A race engine I dont think there is such a thing as too much head, because a racer can always just spin the thing up more to make use of that port. Remember a race engine only has to work well at full throttle and in between the rpm at the line and the stripe. That's pretty easy to get right, and if you don't you can make changes in the driveline that don't really have a down side. Also remember each firing cylinder's horse power is defined as torque over time. So the more firings you have per minute, the more horsepower the engine makes over that same given amount of (ET) time... Assuming the engine holds together and makes enough steam to keep accelerating.