79Corvette02

This is a multi-part question, so please bear with me. I've got stock heads on my '79-i'm not sure of the name (i.e. 776's etc...) I was wondering what type i had, and what the limits of these heads are-in other words, what are the valve sizes and what type of springs/MAX LIFT do they have? Any idea of flow numbers?I assume I have the stock cam-the previous owner said nothing about cams at all when I bought it-therefore, what type of cam do i have (lift/duration)? I know modern cams will give me an excellent boost in power, so my next question is-will my stock heads handle a modern cam like the XE series (282?) or will the heads be the bottleneck of power? I am considering doing a cam swap, but I can't afford new heads to go along with it, and I was hoping a new cam might help me out with my stock heads. I apolgize for the many questions, and I would love ANY input whatsoever-links, past posts. Thanks a million. :cheers:

Ganey

Probably 524 w/ 2.02/1.60, which is a lightweight design w/ irregular intake ports & needs to be changed at some point. You can still add a cam & increase performance first. New springs needed. XE268 is a good max. w/o rebuild, balance & blueprint engine.

:cool:

Ryan77

The heads will definately be the limiting factor, if you don't have the money for new heads, then I would suggest removing your heads (easy to do when your swapping a cam) and having a machine shop rework them for higher compression (9.5:1 should be good with iron heads) and better flow. With a big cam like the 282 and a stock compression ratio (only about 8 or 8.5:1), you will lose a ton of low end torque. With the higher compression, you will have to run premium gas.Find some local machine shops and get some prices to have your heads reworked. It shouldn't be too much, probably around $600. Well worth it for the power gains you will get :yesnod: :cheers:




[Modified by Ryan77, 3:19 PM 2/25/2003]

gkull

They can be modified to flow as much as any of the famed production double humps. But that's not saying much. Your 79 L-82 like mine had 2.02/1.6 valves. The compression and flow rates make those heads not worth the money to even mess with. You better off with some after market iron 64 cc heads in the 180 - 200 cc intake port size range.


[Modified by gkull, 4:14 PM 2/25/2003]

79Corvette02

D'oh! Looks like they're junk. I know I can't put on the new Vortec heads everyone's talking about-even though they'd be a great bargain. Anyone know of any inexpensive iron heads (I know the WP Sportsman II's are decent)? I just don't have a ton of cash to dump into them. Thanks guys :cheers:

joe73vette

If you are cash limited, you might want to stay with the stock heads and a smaller cam - XE262 made more power than XE268 on a stock headed 9.25:1 motor on comp cams dyno: http://www.compcams.com/information/...ts/DynoSheets/

You can go to vortec heads if you change intake manifolds. Skoggin dickey has a complete kit with heads, intake, rocker arms, gaskets and bolts for $749 or $899 depending on how much lift your cam winds up with. http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...art&catid=2172

Joe


[Modified by joe73vette, 8:25 PM 2/25/2003]

79Corvette02

I was under the impression we couldn't use the Vortec heads because we had the earlier two piece rear seal blocks. Am I wrong? I know they make awesome inexpensive power with a spring change and decent cam-plus they're only a few hundred bucks. :confused:

joe73vette

the vortec heads will fit any small block except the new LT1 and LS1/LS6, as long as you use the proper intake manifold. You also have to use the center bolt valve covers. joe

tnt76vette

And lets not forget you will also need the self-aligning rockers.......I got a set of reworked #416 heads (64cc 2.02/1.6 valves) on Ebay for less than $400. There is a place out of Houston TX that sells them on there all the time.....worked wonders for me. Was DD'ing 296HP and now DD 345HP and over 400 ft/lbs of torque. Big Numbers dont necessarily mean Big Bucks. See my sig please and GOOD LUCK!

79Corvette02

tnt-what year did those heads come from? Apparently, my stock heads are crap, but your's sound like a bitchin' deal. I'm guessing I could do the whole heads/cam thing for less than a grand w/ those cheap heads. :confused: . I guess I could also go Vortec-those seem to be all the rage-except they won't handle high lifts (<.500", no floating valves) w/o machining in new springs so you don't get binding. Who makes a good (read cheap) manifold for the Vortec?

joe73vette

if you go to that sdpc link i posted above, you will find their head kit includes a performer manifold and the rockers for $899, for the high-lift version. depending on the cam kit, you might squeek under a grand. joe