Indy 360-1 vs TFS VS W2

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m79ded

m79ded

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Hi

I'm planning a 396 or 416 ci build for both street and strip, Around 11:1, solid F/T or Solid Roller. Car is a 70 Dart stock 340 body with S/S leafs, 4:10 gears and 3800conv. I ve seen lots of great results on the W2 but haven't been around either TFS or Indy-1. I have TFS on my 451 big block and they work well pushes a 4200lbs B-Body to 11:50. Hoping the Dart will go 10's and there's no reason not to. I would like to ask what would be better from those choices.
Thanks
 
The TF heads are not in the same league as the W2. Or the 360-1.

If you want to make power, use the W2 or the Indy head.

If you want it easy, use the TF heads. There is ZERO wrong with the TF head. They were never designed to compete with the W2 and better heads.
 
yellow rose said:
The TF heads are not in the same league as the W2. Or the 360-1.

If you want to make power, use the W2 or the Indy head.

If you want it easy, use the TF heads. There is ZERO wrong with the TF head. They were never designed to compete with the W2 and better heads.
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Thanks for the input. So how about between W2 and Indy then?
 
price out the total package manifolds, rockers etc
Do not deal with Indy direct- find a good dealer
for brackets- not heads up racing the TF will be a lot less $$$ and hassle
 
m79ded said:
Thanks for the input. So how about between W2 and Indy then?
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See post 4. If (and it's a BIG IF) you can find some unmolested W2's and an intake manifold, that may be less expensive than buying all new Indy stuff.

You'll also need rockers for whatever you buy, and shafts and hold downs. Both the W2 and the Indy take different headers as well, BUT if you are not totally repulsed by the idea, most W2 heads have dual bolt patterns on the exhaust which will allow you to bolt standard headers on to W2 heads. But (there is always a BUT isn't there) if the tube diameter is less than 1.875 (1 7/8) it will cover enough of the port to cause a fair HP loss.

If budget allows, I'd find an Indy dealer like posted above and buy all new. Then you'll know what you are getting. Buying used W2 stuff is an iffy proposition at best.

I had a customer bring in a set of "W2" heads that came from a local swap meet. He paid though the nose for what was actually a set of run of the mill magnum heads. So if you're not sure of what you are looking at, get some help before buying used.

And, like I said, be careful. I've seen more W2 stuff junked by guys with grinders and guys who love big valves. Once you blow the bowls out, it's hard to fix it.
 
Indy 360-1 is what you want. about 3500 or so for complete top end.
 
I have had w2 heads
Currently have Indy 360-1 rectangular port heads on a 340 stroker (418 cu)

I homr ported the w2 heads with the porting templates and it seemed like I had more torque down low.

When I switched to the shady Dell ported indy 360-1s it seems lazy down low but put some rpms into the motor and hold on tight.
The 360-1s love high rpms or higher compression.

I am no expert but that is what I have noticed.
No track times as I have yet to get a chance for a track day.
 
You can get new W2’s from Summit Racing. Make sure there the 59* head and not the 48* head. They come bare. Find a pro to port them. Intakes are going for reasonable prices. Just make sure there not ground on first before purchase. You should be looking at ether the MP-M1 single plane or the Holley Strip Dominator as a minimum.

The W2 is pricey but worth it if you build the engine right. If your not going to go for making some power, step back to the TF head.
 
rumblefish360 said:
You can get new W2’s from Summit Racing. Make sure there the 59* head and not the 48* head. They come bare. Find a pro to port them. Intakes are going for reasonable prices. Just make sure there not ground on first before purchase. You should be looking at ether the MP-M1 single plane or the Holley Strip Dominator as a minimum.

The W2 is pricey but worth it if you build the engine right. If your not going to go for making some power, step back to the TF head.
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Really? I thought all those were long gone. I know finding blocks are like riding a unicorn to find hens teeth.
 
yellow rose said:
Really? I thought all those were long gone. I know finding blocks are like riding a unicorn to find hens teeth.
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Yup. They are sure on there alright.

For all out flow, you ain't beatin the W2. You'll have stupid money in um, but they'll haul the mail.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Yup. They are sure on there alright.

For all out flow, you ain't beatin the W2. You'll have stupid money in um, but they'll haul the mail.
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The 245 Indy is no slug, properly ported will outperform the W2. and not by just a couple HP either. lol
 
RustyRatRod said:
Yup. They are sure on there alright.

For all out flow, you ain't beatin the W2. You'll have stupid money in um, but they'll haul the mail.
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My knowledge is a little light on the extremes of there porting abilities or maximum.

The Indy has two, W2 styles heads with one being an oval port and the other, rectangular. At there sight, they list a few fun facts including there suggested CID for bet results on the heads.

I also don’t know how far these Indy heads can go. Things like cfm flow, cross sectional area, etc....
 
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Don’t go by what Jegs has listed on their website. Last time I looked they still had R3 blocks listed. Lol. Yaaa I’ll take two
 
Now back to heads. With the TrickFlow heads you will have a cnc’d Head flowing 300 plus cfm out of the box with an easy to find intake manifold. Their new intake will be released soon if you want to wait. Both the 360-1’s and W2 heads will need porting work for best results. Indy the last time I checked didn’t have rockers for their heads so you may have to spend big money for name brand rockers. W2 cheap rockers are as rare as Hens teeth so get ready to pay the piper. Good night
 
Hughes advertises rockers for Indy 360 heads...1.5 and 1.6....

Hughes Engines

the newer w2 heads oil thru the rockers and take T& D rockers....
 
I think I've seen bare W2's for like $360/pc? Ha. must have been 20 years ago. Why are Econo W2's not available...seems a larger buyer base.
 
@pishta Correcting the rocker arm stand geometry is a pain and only gets worse with a long valve. The W2 really works best with lifting the valve up high to take advantage of there port size and flow. Milled rocker stands are a better route. You would for certainly take the time to use the superior TD rocker set up.
The older MP parts were fine. Made by Crane and long discontinued. Currently the only W2 econo rocker set up I know of is made by Harlandsharp. There only a few bucks more than the other Harldsharp rockers for other SBM heads. So super expensive it is not.
Perhaps Hughesengines? IDK, has W2 rockers.
 
So let’s see...... 10’s out of a Dart with a stroker SB?

Just hit the easy bottom and get the TF’s.
 
If I'm remembering right in the engine Masters competition engine builders achieved over 700 horsepower using the Indy heads. That was on a destroked 360 platform. how much power do you need I vote Indy
 
That would be the path of least resistance.

These days, IMO, you would do a W2 head set up because you want to do a W2 head & set up. Just like a 6 pack. You do it because you want to.

If the above heads aren’t enough, you step up to a Victor head.
In reality as far as I’m concerned, there are two heads to choose from after the basic aftermarket aluminum head scene. The TF’s for the (street/strip) first step above the Edelbrock and the like heads and then the Victor (race) head. (EZ button wise.)
 
Plenty of cars runnin 10s with iron heads.
 
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