whats the best heads to buy for a 396 and stay under $2000? would it just be best to get a real good port job on my stock heads or some afr's or what? thanks

 

If you do a search you will find alot of useful info on this subject. There are many options ou there. Are you going to stay NA with the 396??

 

You may want to check out some of your local race shops that have a good reputation for headwork.

I'm having a local Pro Stock head builder port mine for a third of the price of buying a new set of CNC'd heads....of course it helps that I work at the track so he's cutting me a good deal.

 

From the information I have gathered, a 396 with a 306ish cam will run out of steam at around 4,500 RPM with stock LT1 heads...

Jason

 

If your doign a 383, i would say go for P&P'ed heads, im still using mine for my build up, but if i do any boost (blower or Major N20) Im gong to step up for AFR heads. FOr a 396 you need heads and a cam that flow the air nicely.

DO you have emissions?? CUs if you did, skip the cc306 and get a custom grind cam that has HIGH lift, but low overlap/duartion and you will pass emission GMHTP project car "Thunderchicken" is a prime example that it isnt the displacement that kills emissions its the inefficency of the cam. Allowing the unburnt fuel to go out.