head choice
 

After doing some resarch, am I correct to believe that in the 600hp under 5800krpm N/A range, the gen6 vortec large oval head is better than the rectangle head?

If you are running at 5800 all the time the rec would be better IMO.
Are these your only choices? The small edelbrocks or AFR's would be awhole lot better choices.

Check out the AFR 265 oval or AFR 290 Oval port these are two fantastic heads... I also think Jim Valako new head (dart) is done and I think the flow numbers are really good on it as well.

I used AFR 305's on a 502MPI turned into a 509 N/A carb, 9.2 CR, cam was done custom so not sure on the specs. 608hp @ 5700rpm.

my fingers got a little happy with the redline. I will be running in the 5000 rpm max range. I have looked at the Afr heads and do like them but here is my budget. I have gen 5 502 std/std and stock bore in great shape just needs fresh bearings/ rings. It is apart now and getting tanked, it did measure great. Got it from a guy who needed money for a wedding. I have 2k max extra above and beyond cam and other must haves for the rebuild. Am i better off going with new heads (AFR) or going with a stroker kit (540) and either keeping the rect iron or selling off and grabbing gm large oval?

I'm kinda curious what others say. Normally I would go with the better heads option but staying down at 5000RPM, the inches might be better.

The rect port heads (088's) are good heads if you already have them. That's what the HP500's came with. You won't be able to get a set of complete AFR's for 2k.

summit is selling them for 2200 so not out of reach, just not sure what the better option is. AFR heads or stroker kit with 088's or vortec oval heads. currently have the 088's

stoker kit,,,,540 wilth a 741 cam on a 112 will be money well spent for a boat,,, you can always change the heads later to a Dart pro 1 CNC or AFR 335

makes sense. Didn't even consider that.