What's a good small block head these days?

[rUNCHARGER]

Thinking of building a 408 inch small block to go in an A-body Cuda. I haven't built a small block for ages. Factory parts are not necessary unless they really work. What's a good head for a 400 inch small block, I would probably build it to shift around 6500 or so. Aluminum is preferred for weight but an iron Magnum based head would be a second choice if it flowed well. I would use a solid roller camshaft in it.

Sheldon

[Chryco Psycho]

Factory the only good head is the 308 , 87-92 360 truck head
 Next I would look at the RHS / Indy LA x heads or Airwolf
 Best all round are the W series heads W2 make killer power Iron heads though . W5 are the even better alum version
 For real power look at the W8 or W9 , using the R3 block

[Chryco Psycho]

picture

[anlauto]

Any head is good these days

[rUNCHARGER]

I was thinking the RHS or Airwolf, I think those are the ones based on Magnums? I might have to steal the ported W2's off my sons 240Z, chambers are no good though. Fast way home might be a picNpul Magnum 360 I suppose, set up for a Roller cam already then throw the cracked heads and intake away, Hmmm.

Sheldon

[rUNCHARGER]

Psycho: The photo is a W8-W9?

Thanks
Sheldon

[jimmycuda71]

I have an Indy 360-1 Top end kit if interested. Has the heads, Shaft mounted rockers, Pushrods, Solid lifters, cam and intake. I was going to build a 408 myself, but ended up going with a big block instead.

Jimmy

[73_Cuda_4_Me]

 

Good one, Alan!

 

[Chryco Psycho]

No those are "just W5" , it is listed at the bottom of the picture , , these are just 10 bolt heads .
 the W8 Or W9 are 18 bolt heads I will see if I can find a picture of those .

[Chryco Psycho]

W8 & R3

[Chryco Psycho]

manifold !!

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Yes Alan, I caught it too 

[brads70]

Beautiful stuff! 

[Chryco Psycho]

Rhs can be magnum or LA based same with Indy they offer both , I still far prefer  shaft rockers , more stable & not lift limited with a post in the center
 you can see from the pictures that they can be machined for either rocker system

[Chryco Psycho]

Man if I had $$
 Ritter built a 400 ci R3 W9 combo & in a lighter chassis was running the same ETs as Prostock cars a few years back , 800 hp range
 If you want a killer small block you need to talk to Kent Ritter @ Ritter Racing , I cannot locate the website though

Talked to Kent Ritter this morning about his aluminum and iron blocks. specs and prices of both.

disclaimer....these specs and prices i got from him on 9/24/2012 i could screw up and these could change so i would check with him before taking my word.

IRON BLOCK:
offered in 2 deck heights : 9.600 and 9.200
offered in 2 rough bore sizes : 3.950 and 4.150
prices are the same for any sizes: $ 2959.00
all blocks come with billet 4bolt main caps.

all iron blocks require a finish line hone. they will also require a finish bore and hone for your piston and ring package. decks are thick enough to be cut for custom ci, rod, and piston packages.

example of what i want: std iron block 9.600 deck with rough bore of 4.150 is $ 2959.00 . then to machine shop for line hone finish bore and hone to 4.185 and check deck height figure $1000.oo because it would take more than 1 cut to 4.185 from 4.150. that would get my block ready to start bolt parts too for $ 4000.00 .
that would give me 453.9 cubic inches. basically a 454 ci small block mopar.


ALUMINUM BLOCK:
can be ordered mutiple ways with deck heights and bore holes. block will either need to be sleeved or have a coating installed after finish undersize bore to account for coating thickness.
block with screw in freeze plugs : $ 3850.00
all blocks come with 4bolt billet main caps.

price for sleeves and him to install and rough bore them to size is 100.00-125.00 per hole. so figure 1000.00 for that from him
block with screw freeze plugs and sleeves to rough bore size : $ 4850.00

when i used to have dirtbike/street bike cylinders plated it was 250.00 a hole. he said the different coating he knows of run from 250-400 a hole. he does not do that so you would have to have that done after you get the block if that is the way you wanted to go. you are looking @ 2000.00+
block with plugs and coated cylinders : $ 5850.00 +

example of what i want: a std aluminum block with him sleeving for a 4.185 bore. i would be looking at $4850.00 from him then after i got the block it would need lined honed,decked, and finished honed for my pistons. a good machine shop would prolly charge say $750.00. so my aluminum block ready to start installing parts would cost +/- $ 5600.00 .
that would make 453.9cubic inches. i would have a 454ci aluminum block small block mopar.