Well, like I said, 1 steel head weighs more than 2 loaded aluminum heads. That will help your launch. Not to say it will overheat because that is not true. However, you will not be able to run the same compression as with Al heads as safely on pump gas. Also, by the time you modify the steel heads, you might spend more money than you thought or it might not reach it's potential.

There is no free lunch. Cheap and good are often not in the same sentence abou the same thing.

 

All things being equal, iron heads will ALWAYS make more hp than aluminum. That is just a well known fact. And aluminum weighs 2/3 of what iron does, so the savings are not that significant unless quarter mile times of are utmost importance. For 99% of us they aren't. We want a reliable car that get the groceries and blast a respectable number in the 1320. That's all.

 

How did you come to this conclusion?

 

Gotcha Aklim. Sorry about your motor.

 

I agree with the weight savings thing. Heat dissipation of aluminum allows us to run a little more compression. However, I do question how an iron head will always make more power than aluminum.

 

It is a well known fact. If you don't believe me just talk to any head manufacturer and they will readily admit it. Ask Dart, for instance, since they offer both kinds of material.

So the notion of making more power with aluminum heads is wrong. Aluminim will allow a bit more compression, due to its superior heat disipation qualities, but this is not really desirable nor does it make more power because HEAT is very desirable to retain as it allows more hp to be developed and sustained.

The only advantage aluminum actually has is in the weight department and that is of marginal concern to street cars.

 

Just talked to Dartheads.com and they said that the steel heads do make better power because of the fact they retain more heat and so it increases cylinder pressure. However, the gain for 2 identically cast heads is about 3-5 HP. It might be less because on the aluminum heads you can run higher compression and it is less weight to lug around and might help your traction. Sooooo..... they think it about a wash, either way.

 

Isn't it a great argument though?

 

Lets try to avoid an argument.

Ok, I'll buy that, but don't forget that heat also plays a negative roll in engines. The more heat you retain, the more likely you are to detonate. Not to mention things wear out quicker.

I've always looked at it like this, since aluminum dissipates heat better, you could run more compression or on two identical engines, you can run a tad more timing on the aluminum headed engine to make more power.

And in the real world, the weight savings that aluminum offers over steel is going to negate the 3-5 hp you gain by using the steel heads. No one races dynos you know.

 

cheap 350 rwhp...........



better add some nos......

 

NOS is only cheap if you are willing to get something like a 50HP shot and use it rarely. I can't remember the figures anymore but how much does it cost per WOT run and how long can you hold it in?

 

Vortecs are nice, but they are heavy like any iron head. I got mine with the valve guides cut and better springs for $400 shipped, used obviously, so they can be had fairly cheap

 

Yeah, but with the Vortec heads you're limited with your intake manifold choices. Scoggin Dickey is the only place that makes a TPI base ($400 bucks) and the other manifolds (HSR, MR, etc...) won't fit those heads.

 

Where are you guys buying these "steel" heads?

 

We're just using steel in place of iron for some reason. You can buy iron heads from summit or jegs or just about any place that sells heads in general.