Cast vs. Aluminum heads and bang for buck..

I’ve tested many factory 2.02 heads.
From what Ive seen they can vary greatly.
195 from one head, 215 from its mate off the other bank.

Stock x head, grind seat only, Manley 3/8 valve.....216.
Blend bowl and SSR, no work on pinch.....240.

This J Head, same bowl work, quite a bit more work to SSR, pinch to .960.......233.
Narrow up guide boss, diminish bump in roof, a little more work to SSR......243.

The SSR on the X head is much better to start with.

SM head ootb, no VJ, no blending....... right ootb........240.

Typical stock non-X head with 2.02 valve, VJ, bowl cut, very minor bowl blend is usually in the 215-220 range...... with basically no work on the SSR or guide boss.

I refurbished some 587’s that were in very nice original unmolested condition.
Grind seats only, still 1.88 valve....... 192.

Original condition TA Head with OE valves......200.

All shown at .500 lift.