New bbc cylinder head comparison

I think all of us have one big question that needs to be answered.  "What are the right heads for my combo?"  How about showing us a dyno comparison of the top brands aluminium (RHS,AFR,Dart,Canfield,Brodix)heads for a sub 500 bbc with a bore that can be produced with a stock 454 block.  Since that's what most of your readers can afford to build.  How about throwing some extra stroke into the engine since aftermarket stroker cranks are cheap as well.  And since the pump gas stuff is in demand how about making it a pump gas motor, that runs the same solid roller stick with each set of heads.  No custom cams or pistons.  All off the shelf stuff.  Your article called "The Hunter" would provide an excellent foundation for the test runs.  An artice like this must be done to provide the average joe with info that is not readily avaliable to us.  We hear all the time not to campare cylinder heads by the flow numbers.  But we never hear what to compare them by.  None of the large ordering services like Jegs, Summit, or Herbert give details on cross section and I\E ratio.  So its up to publications like you to help us realize what is best for us.  I would like to see some bbc stuff because that is probably the most popular and least expensive bracket and street engine on the market.  

I have a copy of an old (I think CC) article called Flow To Go that compared the flow numbers of a whole slew of BBC and SBC heads and separated them by runner size.  You can also search for Stan Weiss head flow info and he has a site with tons of flow info.  Of course like you said none of this matters if we don't know what the heads will do on an engine.  It should would be a fun dyno session!  

Why can't we ever get some port lengths and port cross-sectional areas along with port volumes? This could really shed light on what applications a cylinder could be used on, this would be a good opportunity to explain some theory on induction velocity. For some real-world testing, have a BBC mule and test several sets of heads and get some experts to explain the differences in power & torque production between smaller and larger ports and different velocity profiles. At least that's my dream  for a article!  

I agree..these would be great articles. Hopefully we'll see the Chevelle used to test this stuff with the 496 in it. Let's run some serious parts and see how they do.

Sad part is they are about to lose another track in Ca. I think PHR is going to have to seriously look at moving the actual car building to some state more user friendly. Not sure why Ca is an attraction anymore for the car mag business.


JIM  

I agree. I would like to see some "back yard" type BBC builds.  Most readers can't afford the typical published "Budget Build" of $5000.  I say start simple....take a stock carbureted 454ci....dyno it....then test dyno the immediate affordable hp gain upgrades. ie..what do headers with a 2.5" and/or 3" exhaust do hp gain wise, which is better for torque or top end speed.  Also other cheap "local classified ad purchased" upgrades....headers, different stock/bolt-on heads pulled from another vehicle, intake manifolds...which is better for stock engines, etc...

I think this would appeal to more readers.  Especially in this economy....more and more people are shopping in the used market then in the "new or professionally machined" market.  There's allot of forums on the net filled with average blue collar guys trying to help his fellow "Can't afford to have it done so I'm going to try to do it myself".  Their sharing what knowledge they've learned along the way.  Why can't that be here?