alum. heads worth the $1000+ ?

[zoomer]

Just wondering if they were worth the price tag. The two advantages I see are the weight savings and of course the better flow characteristics and thus more power potential. But how much weight savings over iron and how much power? I was considering doing a 302 with a stroker kit and would be completely happy with 350hp to the ground.
So what do you say guys(or gals)?

[Porxter]

I believe the weight saving is about 25 lbs per head.

Sounds like you already know the rest - the stock valves and ports are the power-limiters on SBF's.

Two main ways to overcome this:

1. Better heads
2. Force the air through the small valves and ports with a blower.

More HP = more [img]graemlins/money.gif[/img]

Steve [img]graemlins/red.gif[/img]

[StephenP]

Another element that I learned is that the heat transfer characteristics will allow a higher compression ratio with pump gas than the iron heads. My engine guy is saying that close to 10 is a good number.

Still learning
[img]graemlins/grey.gif[/img]

[Porxter]

StephenP,
That is true, I forgot to mention that other benefit.
They claim you can go up a full compression point - all else remaining the same.
In other words, an engine with a certain combintion that would need 8.5 : 1 compression to keep form pinging, etc. could move up to 9.5 : 1 because of the rapid heat dissipation of aluminum heads.
I also posted some more info on this thread, along with many others:
http://www.ffcars.com/cgi-bin/ultima...7573/p/1.html?
Steve