What kind of heads?

[87Fbird]

I'm going to start building a 420 (stroked 400) and i need to chose the best heads to work for it. I've been told AFR and Brodix were the better ones. I looked at the AFR ported 227 eliminator heads and they might be the best choice for around 500-550hp. Is there better flowing heads out there like Dart or Edelbrock that anyone has used before?

[1QWIKBIRD]

Are you building it yourself? Which block/rotating assembly are you building around?
Are you staying 23 deg or going to 18 deg? Sounds like you have the major players figured out, but I'd get on a tech line and have nice conversation with each of those manufacturers. I am sure they can all fix you up with something, just depends how much $$$ you are wanting to spend and how far you are willing to deviate from factory type stuff. Raised runner, spread port, valvetrain geometry all will dictate your path. Out of curiousity how are you getting a 420? 4.155 x 3.875?

Sounds like a serious deal, good luck.

[NJSPEEDER]

If you are planning to make 500-550 at the flywheel you won't want to use out of the box heads really. A few of the brands like AFR can be run out of the box because they are CNC cut, but you will still need them gasket matched to your intake anyway.

Heads really have to be shopped for to match the cam. So your first decision may have more to do with how hard you want to spin it and how much maintenance you feel like doing to the motor throughout the season.

I would suggest talking to JSPerformance, TMR, or SSP to get all your questions answered before you start spending money. If you want expert level info, it is best to go straight to the experts who do it for a living.

Good luck with it

[camaroracer1992]

i have had the brodix race rite 180, and currently 200 cc heads on my 355. my cam is a tad large on all motor but on the spray (which it was built around) these heads rock! AFR makes a stout head too and i know guys in mid8's on them on a std 23 degree design still.

Personally out of the box id try to get cnc matched intake ports to whatever gasket you are going to use and get your manifold done. Expect to pay in teh $1250-1600 range for a really good set of heads.

[camaroAL]

the new 227 afr is the best 23 degree head on the market period! the next step up would be something along the lines of a cfe 18 degree head. but u need to order a set of competition 227's with the spring upgrade, which i believe u can now get them with a pac spring. these heads will support alot more than 550hp! my 415 with the 227 head is giong to produce around, at at least, 750hp!

[Slow Z]

Judging by your HP goals I'd say you are building a street/strip kind of motor? If so I would go with a smaller head that's in the 200-210cc range. I love my Canfield 195 heads, they work great right out of the box and only cost $1059 shipped to my door. I believe they also make a 210cc head at the same price.

[87Fbird]

It's a bracket motor, it will never see the street. I want to stay with the 23 degree heads because aren't 18 degree heads a whole nother animal? If it's not 500-550 hp i won't be dissapointed. I just want it to get close to that hp because i don't want it to be a turd. My ultimate goal is consistency and i want a good heads that breaths well so the motor won't starve for air when it could be making nice hp and tourque.
I have an engine builder with an excellent reputation and and he recomends the AFR 227 CNC heads. He also said shop around and see what's out there because times are tough you know.

[87Fbird]

I got a hold of an Eagle catalog and they make rotating assemblies for 400s in all kinds of strokes from your average 406 to four of five other different strokes. And pistons from flat top to large domes. All the same price.

[camaroAL]

i ur using a stock 400 block i wouldnt go as larger as a 227 head. if 500-550 hp is ur goal a set of afr comp 195's or 210's will be fine. going with a smaller head will increase ur low end and mid range which is critical in drag racing. to large of a head will make the launch and mid track seem lazy. 227 heads are made for engines make 650 hp and up. i can tell u right now that ive seen 195 comps on a 427 that worked extremely well in a bracket car. full bodied stock weight 68 camaro 10.50's on a 9" tire. if u supply me with all engine spec i can further help u in choosing the right head for ur app. info needed, cam profile if u have one,compression, cu in. manifold, header size, rear gear, trans, car weight, et goal, hp goal,etc..etc...etc..