I have a 454, 12.5 comp and a 718/722 roller camshaft. Dur @ 50 is 269/281. Im putting in a vega. Its a big tire, powerglide,5.13 gear. I have a couple sets of heads but not sure to run these or get another set. I don't want to spend a lot for heads.
1= 188 cast heads, 2.25/1.88,
2= brodix bb2 plus 2.19/1.88,
3=049 cast heads 2.19/1.88,
none ported.
All of these don't seem to flow good numbers. Any help is appreciated,
Thanks

The Brodix BB2's hands down. They flow a good deal better and are much lighter to boot! If you have some extra dollars, a basic port job will help. Few extra bucks, install the 2.25 valves. It's been a while, but I thought those heads normally came with 2.25 valves?

I bought these heads 20yrs ago and I think they were 2.19. Even if I port them would they flow about 369/274 @ 700 lift?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Novacaine,

Forget the flow number for now. What are the goals? Power wise?

From those 3 sets of heads as you described, the BB2's will be faster, period.

I would like to run 580/590 in the 1/8. I think the vega weighs 2600 with a sbc steel heads.
I had the same 454 engine with the brodix heads in a nova that weighs 3000 lbs and it ran around 630/640 in the 1/8.

188 heads are identical to 990 heads but with hardened exhaust seat inserts.

They work well with some work...BUT

The Brodix heads save you about 80lbs and with a little work will run better.

On a 454 with a typical dome you could get those heads milled down to 115cc and some modest porting would help.....

I had a Vega and with a SB with iron heads and with a BB with GM al. heads was about 100 lbs heavier.....2450 with me in it...with the al headed BB...

It ran 9.30's at well over 140 with an 850 gas carb...and my better of 2 engines...very modest roller cam.....13-1 compression..... 30 years ago !!

quote:

Originally posted by Novacaine:
I would like to run 580/590 in the 1/8. I think the vega weighs 2600 with a sbc steel heads.
I had the same 454 engine with the brodix heads in a nova that weighs 3000 lbs and it ran around 630/640 in the 1/8.

That ballparks to 675 HP. That means you need about 330 cfm of flow through the intake system. If the heads are in the 365 - 370, that should work.

I assumed 2700 lbs for your car weight.

The cam you list is not a good choice either. Some power there. Too much EX duration vs In and not enough lift. With BBC, lift is your friend.

I have a couple other cams kind of close in lift,
Bullet, 726/720 276/284.
comp 748/714, 276-284 .

You're gonna want the Brodix 9* heads, fully ported, biggest valves available. That way you'll have room to grow in the future...

Like everyone said, hands down the Brodix !!

I love 990's/188's for a budget build but the 75lb is tough to swallow. Depending on how much power you wanna make, the BB2's don't nee porting.

And keep the smaller cam, even that's a bit too big lol


jmo...….

quote:

Originally posted by Coloradoracer:
You're gonna want the Brodix 9* heads, fully ported, biggest valves available. That way you'll have room to grow in the future...

quote:

Originally posted by HS professor:

And keep the smaller cam, even that's a bit too big lol


jmo...….

On the small cam, way too much ex duration with the BB2 heads. One thing he could do to help, up the rocker ratio on the intakes to 1.8. It would help both the lift and add some in duration.

Cam wise, 272 -274 IN, 278/280 EX with .750 to .775/.725 - .750 lift on a 108-110 LS

I would like to see 590 out of the car and I will very happy with that. Would rather not spend 3500 on new heads. I just built a 555 for my Nova,money a little tight. This is a second car that I would like to try 6.0 class in.

I just checked cam card, says 268.5 int and 279.5 ex. LS 111.5,advance 5.3.

quote:

Originally posted by TOP38:

quote:

Originally posted by HS professor:

And keep the smaller cam, even that's a bit too big lol


jmo...….

On the small cam, way too much ex duration with the BB2 heads. One thing he could do to help, up the rocker ratio on the intakes to 1.8. It would help both the lift and add some in duration.

Cam wise, 272 -274 IN, 278/280 EX with .750 to .775/.725 - .750 lift on a 108-110 LS

I forgot I had this cam, bullet 268/276, 724/722 lift.LS 110, advance to 106. Thats a little closer to what you say I need right?

How high do you want to twist it??

no more then I have too. maybe 7000 7200

quote:

I forgot I had this cam, bullet 268/276, 724/722 lift.LS 110, advance to 106. Thats a little closer to what you say I need right?

That cam is very similar to a Lunati cam I've used a few times with 990 heads. The lunati was 272/280 and 722/722 110 LS. They always made 630 ish hp in a 454/468 and ran mid 10's at about 3450 lbs. Car never 60' well and always ran big mph for ET, I always assumed the heads and cam were too big for a little motor on gas, repeated well though. The engine in our new truck is a 477" with Brodix Race Rite 290 heads. It's got a Lunati cam that's 257/265 731/731 110LS and that engine made well over 700 hp on alcohol.

I have a set of Brodix CNC 305 runner heads on our Firebird with a custom ground Jones cam that's 271/276 723/721 on a 108LS 460" and it makes more than 750hp on gas. Would love to try alcohol but not sure the car would cooperate lol

Your cars real light though, all our stuff is heavy. You might benefit from being on the larger side of cam choices.

quote:

Originally posted by Novacaine:
I forgot I had this cam, bullet 268/276, 724/722 lift.LS 110, advance to 106. Thats a little closer to what you say I need right?

I'd use this one if you are not getting a new one.

You're gonna want to put the biggest cam in it that you can get, even if it's a one off custom. Max lift and duration on both intake and exhaust. Then send the heads out and get these:+

https://alienvalves.com

This way you'll have the absolute best performing engine you can possibly have no matter who builds it!!!