I'm building a 396 for a strip car and I have two sets of heads #353049 and #336781 . The only information that I have found shows both both of these as open chamber (113cc) with the 049's being an early 396 head and the 781's being a 454ci 73 and later head. I want to know which head will give me more performance for my application, or any other information on these would be helpful.

Thanks

 

I've heard that the 049 heads are better with better potential as well. I don't have any specific info to back that up, but when I was looking for the best oval port heads for my SS454 pickup everyone told me to get the 049 heads.

 

I can't tell you which are better but from my understanding the 781 are 454 73-84 118cc open chamber 256/114cc ports and the 049 are 454 73-84 oval open chamber 122cc 255/119 ports. some people like the oval vs the big rectangular port head for producing good low end torque.