Aluminum Heads

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JGC403

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I am looking for a set of aluminum cylinder heads to replace the 906 heads I have on my 383. Basically looks like its between Edelbrock, 440 Source, and CPPA (Toth Performance). They probably all flow very similar so I don't think there would be a big power difference between all 3 cylinder heads, not for what I'm using them for anyway. Car isn't for racing just a hot street car, so I know I don't need something like Trick Flow heads.

I have learned my lesson of just bolting on a set of OOTB heads with a set of Edelbrock heads for my 408. I know that any of these heads that I get need to take a trip to the machine shop and have everything checked out.

Cam I have in it now is the smallest Mopar Performance solid lifter they sell. duration @0.050- 241/241, 112 centerline, lift 0.528/0.528. I like the cam.

-440 Source heads need to have the springs, locks, and retainers replaced. Made overseas unfortunately. Heads are on sale right now $500 a piece.
-The Edelbrock heads for my small block, I know some of the valve springs didn't match and the valve job had to be re-done on some cylinders( that was 5 years ago and can't remember exactly what all was done) Made in USA!
-Haven't heard anything on the CPPA/Toth Performance cylinder heads, good or bad. Made in USA I think.
-The Edelbrock E-streets, haven't heard much on these either. Looks like they cut corners on the valve seat material they used powdered metal instead of Ductile Iron like in the PRM, the E-street uses regular umbrella seals and the RPMs use positive stop. And the spark plugs are straight on the E-street instead of angled like on the RPM, not sure if there are other differences as well.

So what do you guys think what heads should I go with?
 
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've run several sets of eddy rPm's and have been very happy.

I've run that cam twice. it's a great, very mild cam. Makes around 500hp in a 440.

One thing to consider is that cam kills cranking compression so you may want to do some math and figure out which CC combustion chamber to choose.
 
Ran a 528 cam in an 8:1 383 with stock close chamber heads to mid 12s...

As far as the heads go, the source heads definitely need springs, locks, and retainers, we have a set on a 440 with 670 solid roller, they have been great so far
 
Ran a 528 cam in an 8:1 383 with stock close chamber heads to mid 12s...

As far as the heads go, the source heads definitely need springs, locks, and retainers, we have a set on a 440 with 670 solid roller, they have been great so far
Are the source heads ported ?
 
I believe they make a couple different versions of the trick flow heads. I would look at either trick flows or edelbrocks. either would end up at the machine shop for a Good once over before bolting on.
 
If you don’t already have the particulars, I’d get one of the 906’s off and cc the chamber, measure the deck clearance, calculate the compression and see if the 75cc E Street head might be a good option for you.

Lots of heads use powdered metal seats, shouldn’t really be any problem in that application.
All the hardware can be used that comes on the E streets with that cam.
The Mopar version comes with the same springs/retainers/locks/seals/spring cups as the RPM heads do.
If it matters for your exhaust, 75cc are angled plug, 84cc are straight plug.

E Streets are what I would use.
 
My rpm performer heads seem to be ok. The have a 220 cc intake runner Vs the 240 on the trick flow.
 
No one mentioned the trick flow 240’s I love my set on my 440
 
Most of the aluminum heads ,(except Trick Flow) have open chambers of 84-88cc with little or no quench . So , with a flat top piston the gain is not worth the expense , except for the weight reduction . I you have a flat top piston with a 73-76cc chamber your benefit is : weight reduction , increased compression and quench which will help with detonation . domed pistons are a whole different ballgame .
 
with the flat top's i have with the Eddy heads and head gasket etc. we ended up with 9.98-1 compression.
 
Most of the aluminum heads ,(except Trick Flow) have open chambers of 84-88cc with little or no quench . So , with a flat top piston the gain is not worth the expense , except for the weight reduction . I you have a flat top piston with a 73-76cc chamber your benefit is : weight reduction , increased compression and quench which will help with detonation . domed pistons are a whole different ballgame .
My 84cc RPM's are without a doubt closed chamber heads. I have .050 quench.
 
im bolting a set of 240’s on my 440 now. The short block is staying the same, just changing the heads, intake (Edelbrock Performer RPM) and TTI headers vs the factory exhaust manifolds and comp cams roller rockers.

It’s not going to be a race car but plan on it being a fun street car. When I built the car, I installed a purple shaft 509 hydraulic flat tappet cam. That’s remaining. I plan on stroking it at a later date and will upgrade to a roller cam then. Hopefully it’s up and running by the first of May. If only work didn’t get in the way of progress.....
 
At the time i built my 426 low deck the 240 heads were not out yet. I wonder how much more power they would provide over the Eddy rpm performer heads with no other changes.
 
I just bought some 75cc e streets for my 30 over flat top 383....plugs are angled...cost less than 440 source heads as I needed to upgrade for a higher lift cam
 
I just bought some 75cc e streets for my 30 over flat top 383....plugs are angled...cost less than 440 source heads as I needed to upgrade for a higher lift cam
I'm building my 383 now, & it's 60 over w/flat tops, but they're .105 in the hole. Do you know what your piston deck height was & is now? I'm interested in Edelbrock performer RPM heads.
 
I'm building my 383 now, & it's 60 over w/flat tops, but they're .105 in the hole. Do you know what your piston deck height was & is now? I'm interested in Edelbrock performer RPM heads.

I am building a new to me 383...the one in my car is 100% stock.
I haven’t measured my piston deck height yet (I bought a motor that was already built, supposedly the block was decked). I sold the iron heads.
 
We built my 383/426 stroker with Diamond flat tops, I am either at zero deck, or .005 down. With the stock eddy Quench rpm performer heads we are 9.98-1 compression.
 
I am building a new to me 383...the one in my car is 100% stock.
I haven’t measured my piston deck height yet (I bought a motor that was already built, supposedly the block was decked). I sold the iron heads.
My block was already decked too, and still .105 in the hole
 
My block was already decked too, and still .105 in the hole

Think I`d change pistons first, then look at trickflow 240`s, u probly wont have to do a thing to them, w/ exception of tuds/bolts , and pushrods .
 
Most of the aluminum heads ,(except Trick Flow) have open chambers of 84-88cc with little or no quench . So , with a flat top piston the gain is not worth the expense , except for the weight reduction . I you have a flat top piston with a 73-76cc chamber your benefit is : weight reduction , increased compression and quench which will help with detonation . domed pistons are a whole different ballgame .
wow, this is dissapointing as hell! Ive been saving for a while for some aluminum heads and was about ready to get some, but i have flat tops. Damn, this sucks! I guess i will just use the money to port the old iron 452's..i sure aint going to spend that kind of money on aluminum heads only for the weight reduction.. i wanted more power..
 
I dont know your port guy but my buddy who ports charges a boat load to port cast iron.

Almost 3 grand a set vs 1,500 a set for aluminum.

The labor (time) to port cast iron kills the cost.

If your not running a class that requires cast iron I wouldn't spend the cash, but that's just my guy and his price. Your guy may be less?
 
wow, this is dissapointing as hell! Ive been saving for a while for some aluminum heads and was about ready to get some, but i have flat tops. Damn, this sucks! I guess i will just use the money to port the old iron 452's..i sure aint going to spend that kind of money on aluminum heads only for the weight reduction.. i wanted more power..
Why are you discouraged and not going aluminum. Iron heads belong in the scrap pile
 
Why are you discouraged and not going aluminum. Iron heads belong in the scrap pile
because according to that post, if you have a flat top piston then its not worth the gain to go with the aluminum open chamber heads because of no quench. I dont want to change my pistons to dome or whatever would be needed to make it happy with the open chamber aluminum heads..
 
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