converting SBC heads to reverse cooling.

can older style heads, like the 12* or 15* heads be converted to reverse cooling so they could work on a LT1? and what are the intake manifold bolt patterns like? would i be able to utilize an LT1 manifold?

yes,yes...

what kind of heads do you have in mind?

West Coast Cylinder Head did my Dad and mines Pro-Topline 235's, call them.



David

only reason i had these heads in mind, was most the time i see the older gen 1 motors making quite alot of power on 355 etc on motor, so i believe the heads/headwork, and cams to be the big factors. would 500rwhp be out of the question with going with this setup?

only reason i had these heads in mind, was most the time i see the older gen 1 motors making quite alot of power on 355 etc on motor, so i believe the heads/headwork, and cams to be the big factors. would 500rwhp be out of the question with going with this setup?

Ya can make that and more with 23* heads and don't have to worry about intake fit.
Ya can make 550-600FWHP on a 383 with a set of ported stock LT-1 heads with 2.00I & 1.56E valves.
There is a guy down here that is claiming 306CFM out of stock casting's A set on a 383 with Holley SR runs 10 teens with a set.

....306cfm huh...i bet someone isnt saying what they flowed them at.

im not too concerned with flywheel power...im concerned with how much i am given to put down. worked stock lt1 heads with a solid roller setup, i was expecting 450 range @ 6.5k or so. i was just trying to see if there were ways to go further with h/c. i ran across someone mentioning they converted some 12* heads and made 520rwhp on their lt1. im not sure if this is a bogus number, or if its just some totally outrageous peaky, no power under the curve cam.

and when you say LT-1...do you mean LT1, or LT-1?

Mindgame made 570 RWHP with a six speed. He converted some early 18* castings on a 383 LT1(92-97 LT1) with an LT-4 intake. It runs 9.70's in street trim.

The 306 cfm LT1 stock casting had a moved pushrod and offset rockers. The car that had them went some 10.40's in heat with a dual ex setup@3350 lbs.....had a .20 in it I think.


David

wow, that is crazy numbers, especially for a head/cam lt1, i presume it was a solid roller? but there obviously has to be a reason not alot of people are doing this. is it very hard to convert them? like do you need to change coolant passages around and stuff? and also realistically, what sort of price range am i lookin at for a set of these heads done right?

airflowdevelop does the conversion for a very reasonable price. Best price I've seen anyways and considerably less than WCCH.

FWIW, I wouldn't even bother with a set of 23º heads if your shooting at this level (550+ rwhp). The SB2.2 would be my 1st choice, followed by the 15/18º heads. Nothing inexpensive about the deal as a whole, so do your research.

We put together a AFR 215RR motor here a while back that did 492 rwhp with a hydraulic roller, so you have to determine what your goal & budget is. If it's being the "fastest" then forget it, somwone will be faster next week. Just like the microprocessor industry. ;)

I've moved on to a gen 1 plus-size small block. You may want to consider that option as well.

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137966&highlight=Mindgame

-Mindgame

....306cfm huh...i bet someone isnt saying what they flowed them at.

im not too concerned with flywheel power...im concerned with how much i am given to put down. worked stock lt1 heads with a solid roller setup, i was expecting 450 range @ 6.5k or so. i was just trying to see if there were ways to go further with h/c. i ran across someone mentioning they converted some 12* heads and made 520rwhp on their lt1. im not sure if this is a bogus number, or if its just some totally outrageous peaky, no power under the curve cam.

and when you say LT-1...do you mean LT1, or LT-1?


Flowed @28 on the LT-1 head,s.Have heard of several people who have got over 300CFM out of stock castings.
A guy on the board with SB-2's is making7-800 on motor and they ain't cheap to get the whole set up.Custom intake(unless ya want a carb) custom headers,custom everything.About the same for 15* They will make the power if your billfold can stand it.Talking 10-13,000 dollars for a top end and cam.

Got to have fwhp before ya can have rwhp..

wow, that is crazy numbers, especially for a head/cam lt1, i presume it was a solid roller? but there obviously has to be a reason not alot of people are doing this. is it very hard to convert them? like do you need to change coolant passages around and stuff? and also realistically, what sort of price range am i lookin at for a set of these heads done right?

About 3,500-4,000 dollars for a 23* flowing 335-340CFM@.700 head with castings, valves and port work and combustion chambers work supplied. That is for a MAX effort head ready to bolt on.

well, i appreciate all the help, i think i will go with my original plan of a solid roller, stock head setup and a little juice. seems to be more cost effective, and as nice as it would be to make 500+ on motor, the huge leap in price doesnt justify it to me.

well, i appreciate all the help, i think i will go with my original plan of a solid roller, stock head setup and a little juice. seems to be more cost effective, and as nice as it would be to make 500+ on motor, the huge leap in price doesnt justify it to me.


Making HP is cubic buck's.

The 306 cfm LT1 stock casting had a moved pushrod and offset rockers. The car that had them went some 10.40's in heat with a dual ex setup@3350 lbs.....had a .20 in it I think.


David
What size valves did the heads have?

just a heads up WCCH said they no longer will do conversions.

What size valves did the heads have?


Heads had 2.00/1.56 valves.



David

What size valves did the heads have?

Ya didn't read my earlier post.

theres plenty of people doing it on 23* heads.
Joe Overton and Steve Quin just to name a few
9.3X@144 9.7X@138
i'm sure both cars making over 550rwhp, actually i know so
and Steve Quins motor has stock Casting Lt1 heads