zz4 aluminum 1.94x1.50 58cc

vortec 1.94x1.50 64cc

pro topline iron lightning 2.02x1.60 64cc 180cc intake

the 357 has "smogger" pistons and had 58cc "601"heads. i'm looking for the most bang for the buck.i already have an early style performer rpm.

any opinions guys?
thanks!
Eric B

I say either dart/iron eagle 180's or the afr 180's if you must have an aftermarket head. I am a big fan of the vortecs though. You don't want my opinion of pro-toplines ;)

Well, I'll put in a pitch for the Pro-Toplines if Travis won't. smile.gif

I've got a pair of Pro Topline 180cc heads on my 355 and am very impressed with them.

If you've already got lower comrpession though, the chamber size required may limit your choice.

bad experience with the pro topline heads trav?
what if i throw trick flow 23*s into the mix.i found a set for a decent price.

http://www.camaros.net/forum/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=010859

You'll have to pick the good info out of there, but its all there. Most people seem to have had much better luck with theirs, but I know RickD and myself had a lot of headaches with ours. I will say this though, once all the bugs was worked out of mine they seem to have the potential for mega hp. I haven't got to hammer mine on the street yet (still running on the outer springs only), and haven't quite finished my "stealth" ratchet shifter yet, but just from the throttle blips and part throttle punches on the street, this thing is an animal graemlins/thumbsup.gif

tell me the bugs trav!
and apparently i don't sleep

Alrighty...massive amounts of casting flash in the ports, some of it quite huge. Several ports and valve seats not aligned properly, and several pushrods wouldn't clear the heads without considerable grinding. The was considerable jaggedness around the chamber sides of the spark plug threads, and also around where the valve seats was cut. The parts supplied with the assembled heads seems to be of excellent quality, the valve job appears excellent also. It took some pretty extensive work with a die grinder and a carbide bit to clean everything up.
Doesn't look like I am going to get any numbers this year. I am hording all my money right now waiting on this job situation to settle down graemlins/sad.gif

thinking that vortecs will do the trick,
would a valve size increase help these heads?bowl blend?throat hogging?gasket matching?i have heard these heads are virtually unaffected by porting.

Personally, if I was going to do that much to a head, then I would start with a better head out of the box. IMO, the vortec "bang for the buck" is best when used with little or no mods. The cost for machine work and parts for adding all the stuff you mentioned MAY give you more power, or you could spend the same money up front a set of heads with a lot more potential. I guess it also depends on how far you plan on going with this engine. IMO, vortecs are best when used "out of the box" with upgraded springs (if needed) and maybe screw in studs (also if needed). Stock vortecs with good springs will support over 400hp easily with the right cam. The heads are also a thin casting...not something I would want milled very far.