Heads: Can we do a top 5 list or something?

[BadTwin]

I've been to the BadBoyz web site and have emailed Bean, (nice guy) and i've also been to UnderGround and emailed Colin.(another nice dude). I've priced out the Moco HTCC Heads and read up on them and i've heard a bunch of things about Dewey heads and Baisley performance heads being a couple of the best.
Anyway, I was wondering if we could get a top 5 list going (without loyalties fogging your view) or something like that based on what I see requested the most for the requirements:

1. Best prices w/o comprimising quality
2. Strong Low to mid range power. (capable of 10+ compression's)
3. Solid reputation
4. Turn around time

Maybe this cant really be done or maybe it could only be done by builders who have actually used many different brands.
I was just thinking that a thread of this nature would be of benefit. (especially for future searches for someone looking up Heads)

How about this: What are the top things to look for when choosing a set of hi-po heads and what are some things to look "out" for?

Hopefully this thread can attract some valuable input and opinions on this topic.

[58GT]

It's no secret that you've probably mentioned most of the best. A vote here for SBC. As to which one's absolutely the best I suspect that it's a bit like choosing your favourite bike colour - everyone has an opinion but I know good well black is best........

[Totenkopf]

Here's another one that I've heard about to look at seriously........

http://www.tmanperformance.com/products.htm

[BadTwin]

BadBoyz appears to be the most affordable but i'm a little concerned with the old rule "you get what you pay for".. I know many here have used them and seem to be quite satisfied, so it's very possible that there heads are an exception to that rule.. I mean no disrespect towards Bean or Springer, i'm just trying to figure things out.

[BaggerDave]

Head Quarters
Dewey's Pegs (is Dewey better?)
Baisley
Revolution Performance
JET
TMan
Underground
BC Gerolomy (sp)
Big Boyz
Automotive Machine Service (mild builds)
Sorry if I left any favorites off or put bad ones on.

David

[springer-]

Originally Posted by BadTwin

BadBoyz appears to be the most affordable but i'm a little concerned with the old rule "you get what you pay for".. I know many here have used them and seem to be quite satisfied, so it's very possible that there heads are an exception to that rule.. I mean no disrespect towards Bean or Springer, i'm just trying to figure things out.

None taken. Me and Bean have had this conversation before. Let me ask you this, Would you feel better if Bean charged $700? Would that seem like you got more for your money?

Bean does a FULL port job, not just a cleanup of the rough spots. The porting he does is geared toward the Street Engine. He increases the flow of the heads but keeps the stock components for use with bolt in cams. He can also set them up for larger lift cams with a spring change. He also does a performance valve job. The heads work good for 88-103" Mild street builds in the 90-110 hp/tq range. If you are looking to drag race or build a totally wild 124" engine, Big Boyz heads aren't for you. They have their application and because he doesn't replace valves, seats, guides and springs he can keep the cost down. They offer a good performance to cost balance.

For heads that are $300 or less, I think Big Boyz is somewhere on the top of the list but then again I am Biased!! IMO


I posted these before but here are some pictures of how much Aluminum is removed from a set of heads.

[BaggerDave]

Originally Posted by BaggerDave

Head Quarters
Dewey's Pegs (is Dewey better?)
Baisley
Revolution Performance
JET
TMan
Underground
BC Gerolomy (sp)
Big Boyz
Automotive Machine Service (mild builds)
Sorry if I left any favorites off or put bad ones on.

David

The list was in no particular order of preference by me, just typed as they came to me. Springer is correct, you need to match what you want to the correct head porter. You will need to find someone who does what you are looking for. A mild street porter should not be doing race heads and vice versa. Find someone who speaks your language and has experiance and DYNOs to backup what they say. Make them prove their combo works for your build.

David

[LAF]

I used these guys. Aaron Wilson will spend some time with you. I did Stage II for my build that is listed below. Everything was replaced in the heads.

http://www.nallinracing.com/

[HDWRENCH]

I would like to point something, amount of material removed has nothing to do with perfromance.

Here are a few guide lines to follow when porting heads

1. Flow loss'e arise from change in directions and decrease's in velocity( like port bends ans exspansion)

2. Port are should be iun the range 05 65%-100% of valve area

3.Remove material from outside of port bends not the inside. THis will allow increase and improved flow by increasing the radius of the bend.

4. Port legnth and finish are not very important( flow bench will prove this)

5.One of the greatest losses in flow in the intake port is due to exspansion of the air out of the valve. So with that in mind the critical areas are just before the valve and just after valve extremly important.

6. the valve seat shape plays a big part in flow.


SO does anyone have the if flow losses are cause by port expansion not contractions in the port and seat area???

Ok the reason being is that the air must make a 90* turn and expand as it flow out of the valve and into the cylinder. A term called "humping" the port inward just below the seat allows the air to make a much more gradual turn into the valve edge.there fore reducing the total flow losses.

Again not trying to start any issues only pointing out facts. This is not a post to oint out that any one listed is not a good porter. I have been doing heads both 2 (jugs) and 4 stroke for several years. AS many of you know and have used my street port heads with great results. The stock head is not a bad design for mild set ups. I would have to say that the stock springs should be up graded as with most upgrade the riders then starts ride the bike harder power byproduct I guess.

[springer-]

Note, the pictures of the amount of material removed are not to represent how much can be or should be removed but were intended to show that the port job is not just going in with a sanding drum and smoothing it out but rather reshaping the port.

[BadTwin]

Originally Posted by springer-

He increases the flow of the heads but keeps the stock components for use with bolt in cams. because he doesn't replace valves, seats, guides and springs he can keep the cost down. They offer a good performance to cost balance.
For heads that are $300 or less, I think Big Boyz is somewhere on the top of the list but then again I am Biased!! IMO

Good explanation. Thank's for the professional responce. Makes better sence to me now. I agree that Badboyz would be somewhere at the top of that list as well. Especially when you take all into consideration, (like the spec's in my list) and the positive feedback/testimonials from his past customers.

[turbotc]

Originally Posted by BadTwin
Believe none of what you hear and 1/2 of what you see. A wise man has wise eye's.

Hmmm!!!
Makes you understand why people who give advice feel this way.

Advice! Why give it. Wise men don't need it and fools want heed it!!!!

Here's mind.

Use heads that match the rest of your build. If you know what your are looking for find a trusted builder that has a proven parts combination that works with his heads that will deliver what you think you want.

There are more bad customer part combinations that make good heads look bad than bad heads that make a customer choice of what he thinks is a good part combinations look bad.

I hope I get an on that one.

[FXDRYDR]

Yep!!! Watched a relative go through three builds in three years trying to get it right... finally went with the complete Edelbrock package and feels he's where he should have been three years ago if he'd have listened.

[BadTwin]

Originally Posted by turbotc

Advice! Why give it. Wise men don't need it and fools want heed it!!!!

On the contrary my friend. You seem to have a mistaken understanding of what being wise means. Many wisemen far wiser than any of us have sought council at one time or another.
However, this thread is not for the sole purpose of finding out what heads I should get, but rather to help others who come after me who may find this thread helpful in their quest for knowledge of who's who in the industry and what heads are the most well known and liked, and what are the most important aspects one should look for when looking to upgrade to some hi-po heads and what to avoid based on some common "wants" as per some common performance improvements that seem to be the most populair.

This thread is not to put builder against builder or porter against porter. It's aim is to get a communulative effort going to get some good known, trusted and tested heads put on the table in lights with a general description of why they feel they are so good and also (if from a customers viewpoint) maybe a short story of what they may have learned during their head job. (no pun intended)

Thanks HDWrench for your list of what (iyo) are important criteria to know or look for.. That was very informative.

[HDWRENCH]

Thanks I was not trying to say that one is better than another, just pointing out some factual info. Being that some may see a pic and think that you need to hog out the ports which is far from the truth. But as most know I am straight up just the way it is. Have a GREAT DAY!!!!!!