What heads for a Whipple project?
 

I'm Whippling my 454 mpi mags. Tyler Crockett is providing all the programming & cams & other hard parts. He is saying 650 a side is where I'll be with his "kit" My delima is he suggests changing the valves out to a bigger size. My thought is it would cost about the same money, after I sell my Iron heads to go with the Edelbrock aluminum marine heads. They are $1300 a set w/o springs & have the big valves installed already.
Do you think I'd gain anything there by switching or should I just re-work the iron heads?
I run in fresh water only so no biggie there.
Thanks!

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

I would step up to an Aluminum CNC head. A little more $$ up front, but you will forget about that after you run the boat.

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

I had the same thoughts with my set up. I have been told by several different people that with no more than I am trying to get out of it. (800hp) I would be better off spending the money elsewhere. Im keeping the stock 500 heads. How much boost are you going to run? 5-6lbs?

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

Yea, 6 lbs.

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

If you can find them for 1300, I would buy them. In fact send me a link so I can get 2 sets also!!

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

A guy I know says the Edlebrock heads make excelent power for the price. Summit & Jeggs sells them minus valve springs for $750+/- each. They are maranized.

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

jryan26... $749.99 ea. http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...-1&showValue=1

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

I'd run the GM heads and save your cash....not going to make hardly any difference going to CNC Aluminum at the power and boost levels you are talking about. (I would put good exhaust valves in though) Remember the whipple is stuffing air into your combustion chamber under pressure... and your heads are already pretty big for a 454...Now if you were trying to get 1000hp with some boost....well the heads would matter a lot more. :drink:

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

Make sure to do the relief in the block on that 454. That alone will get you another 25 hp per motor

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

Whatchu tolkin bout Willis?

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

If you go to an oval port there will be a missmatch between the rectangle intake manifold to the oval head. Also the ovals generally sit lower on the flange than the rectangular port. You would have to weld the roof of manifold to match the oval head. A 454 doesn't need a big volume port. Another advantage using stock heads is there is more water between the intake and exhaust ports allowing better cooling that results less warpage in the valve seats. Also with some bowl work and up graded valve on the exhaust side there's a 50+ cfm gain in airflow. If your not looking to be the fastest guy on the block, the GM heads are workable. Here's a 990 casting off a hp 500 with a net volume of 285cc and still flows more air than the stock port.

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

Only makes sense to me that if your already dealing with Tyler Crocket get some heads from him.

He's supposed to be one of the best, right...

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

Right, I'm not trying to short-cut Tyler. I was just thinking that it is really not worth putting $$ into stock iron heads. I have to change valve sizes & the $$ that I will spend re-building the iron heads, I could step up to aluminum heads. Sell my iron heads & probably be $$ ahead on new vs. rebuild. Plus save weight.

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

The weight is ok, but I like the fact that your buying yourself alittle insurance as far a boost goes. And you giving your engine a little more room for upgrades in the future. Since we never seem to be satisfied.

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

I just called a friend of mine that has a Procharged 454 Mag. I asked if he changed heads, and he said no, but he did put in Manley valves. He doesn't know the HP it's putting out, but it will run a Donzi 22 Classic at just a tick under 92, with the big pulley on it.

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

I have stock heads, all reworked of course and I'm at 830 horsepower...

Re: What heads for a Whipple project?
 

Aluminum heads will let you run nealy 1 point more compression. It will give plenty more room than iron heads when you get close to detnation on a hot day with lously fuel. They run cooler, they are lighter, they are a better design, they are safer, you can run more boost, no argument about that. 6 with iron, 7-8 with ali, THEY MAKE MORE HOOORRRSSSEEEPPOOWWEERRR. When was the last time you saw a set of iron heads any respectable race car. Now the down side. They will probally blow the drive of the back of the boat?? Jas