As the recession hits hard across the nation, a good majority of us are scraping together what we can to get the biggest bang for the buck-stretching each dollar for all it's worth.
We'll do anything to keep the project car fund going: garage sales and a lemonade stand-then again, maybe not.
What to do when the coffers are light? There's no better way to coax more out of an existing base short-block than with a premium set of high-flowing cylinder heads and an intake manifold paired with a more aggressive camshaft. Trust us, your engine will thank you. The formula is very simple. Since air and fuel work in conjunction to create power, any addition to-or method of refining-that process will extrapolate additional ponies. In some cases, as much as 100 additional horsepower can be had.
What we have done this month is present top end kits available for almost any mild-compression 350- to 383ci small-block from nearly every name in the game. Not only are they affordable, but these packages come ready to bolt on, with some kits even including all the necessary hardware such as gaskets, head bolts, and custom valve covers. While these kits are all available through the manufacturers, many can also be sourced through various mail-order websites such as Summitracing.com, Jegs.com, Dougherbert.com, and GMperformanceparts.com. The good new is, these kits are designed to be completely bolt-on and installed in your own garage over the course of a weekend. Follow along to check out the wide selection of packages available for your small-block.
Quick Notes
What We Did
A guide to the most affordable small-block top end kits
Bottom Line
Eliminate the guesswork and add up to 130 hp with these proven packages
Cost (Approx)
$1,000 and up
Brodix
With Brodix, their small-block top end kit comes with a pair of fully CNC-ported cylinder heads featuring a 200cc intake port and flows 288 cfm with blended bowls. These 23-degree cylinder heads utilize all the standard components but upgrade to slightly larger 2.08-inch intake valves and traditional 1.60-inch exhaust valves. These kits are a perfect fit for most 355- to 406ci small-blocks with a 9.5 to 10.5:1 compression ratio that will see power from idle to 6,500 rpm. The IK line of cylinder heads come fully assembled with 1.250-inch hydraulic springs with a 0.525-inch maximum lift. Fel-Pro intake and head gaskets are also included, as are ARP head bolts.
What it cost
$2,840
Where to get it
Brodix
479.394.1075
brodix.com
Dart
Building affordable horsepower is what it's all about. Dart's Pro 1 200cc top end kit uses advanced wet flow testing to redesign the chambers for improved fuel distribution while spark plugs are located high and as close to the center of the chamber as possible. Even valveguide bosses are profiled and casting walls are cleaner and more consistent for greater control over flow, heat, and combustion. The Pro 1 heads come fully assembled and feature 200cc intake runners, although 180-, 215-, and 230cc intakes are also available. While they all come with 2.02/1.60-inch intake/exhaust valves, 72cc or 64cc combustion chambers and straight or angle plugs are also options. Dart's single-plane, high-rise manifold is performance-matched to the cylinder heads and features a raised water crossover with dual-planes available as options. Extra-tall valve covers and virtually every gasket and fastener are also provided.
What it cost
$1,900 & up
Where to get it
Dart Heads
248.362.1188
dartheads.com
Edelbrock
A dyno-proven combination is what it's all about. Edelbrock makes things easy with its top end kits that offer performance in one box. Small-block kits include fully assembled rectangular intake port cylinder heads with 2.02/1.60-inch intake/exhaust valves and a 200cc intake runner with a 64cc chamber. A dual-plane Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap manifold is also included. A specific hydraulic roller cam is good from 1,500 to 6,500 rpm and comes with this top end kit. The cam specs out with 242/240-degree intake/exhaust duration at 0.050-inch lift on a 112-degree lobe center. Plus all the necessary hardware is included to bolt this kit on.
What it cost
$2,000
Where to get it
Edelbrock
800.221.1666
edelbrock.com
Doug Herbert
Getting everything needed in one refined kit is crucial. To begin, Doug Herbert Performance top end packages make it easy by providing completely assembled aluminum cylinder heads with 2.02/1.60-inch intake/exhaust valves and matching springs. An Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold and Proform aluminum roller rockers (with locks) are also included. What's more is that a double-roller timing chain, chrome valve covers, Comp pushrods, head bolts, and cam and timing cover bolts are also supplied. While the entry-level kit comes standard with a flat-tappet camshaft, a roller cam with lifters is an option.
What it cost
$1,400
Where to get it
Doug Herbert
877.497.2787
dougherbert.com
GM Performance Parts
GM Performance Parts offers a budget-based top end kit that includes a set of iron 170cc Vortec cylinder heads with 1.94/1.50-inch intake/exhaust valves. With a Fast Burn 64cc combustion chamber and high-velocity ports, they outflow the Bow Tie heads right out of the box. A raised intake port, Vortec-style intake manifold is also included along with intake manifold gaskets and a head bolt kit.
What it cost
$964
Where to get it
GM Performance Parts
gmperformanceparts.com
Patriot Performance
For use on a potent 383ci short-block, the Patriot Performance top end kit includes 190cc intake port cylinder heads with traditional 2.20/1.60-inch intake/exhaust valves with 64cc chambers. The Patriot kit also comes with a hydraulic-roller camshaft (230/230 intake/exhaust duration at 0.050), roller lifters,and an Air-Gap gasket-matched manifold. Each system comes with a double-roller timing chain, Scorpion aluminum roller rockers, 12-point head bolts, including the intake and head gaskets.
What it cost
$1,900
Where to get it
Patriot Performance
888.462.8276
patriot-performance.com
Procomp Motorsports
Not only is Procomp known for its top-of-the-line electronics, but they now offer small-block top end packages. Each kit is tailored to the customer's existing short-block. Procomp includes assembled cylinder heads built to your desired specification and an intake manifold (available polished) with a performance camshaft, premium aluminum rockers, lifters, pushrods, a timing chain, and fabricated valve covers (available polished).
What it cost
$1,100 & up
Where to get it
Procomp Motorsports
909.605.1123
procompelectronics.com
Scoggin-Dickey
The Scoggin-Dickey Vortec cylinder head kit comes with everything you need to install the cast-iron Vortec heads: assembled Vortec heads with upgraded valvesprings to match the standard flat-tappet camshaft or optional hydraulic camshafts at no extra cost, a set of GM head gaskets (0.028-inch), a GM head bolt kit, rocker arms, and an Edelbrock Performer intake along with intake gaskets. In addition, 12-point ARP intake bolts are supplied.
What it cost
$1,071
Scoggin-Dickey
800.456.0211
sdparts.com
Trick Flow Specialties
With Trick Flow, by using your existing manifold or by picking a manifold of your choice allows this top end kit to have a custom feel. The Trick Flow system features 195cc intake runner cylinder heads with 2.02/1.60-inch intake/exhaust valves and offered as cast with 62cc chambers. This kit also comes with a hydraulic flat-tappet camshaft (226/234 intake/exhaust duration at 0.050) with lifters, 1.5:1 ratio rockers, and a timing set. All necessary gaskets and ARP hardware is included. CHP
What it cost
$1,900
Where to get it
Trick Flow Specialties
330.630.1555
trickflow.com
Summit Racing
Teaming up with Edelbrock, Summit has put together a very affordable option when it comes to upgrading the top end. Summit's kit includes a set of Edelbrock Performer RPM cylinder heads with 64cc chambers and CNC-profiled 185cc intake runners. Summit also provides an Edelbrock Performer RPM camshaft and lifter kit good from 1,500 to 6,500 rpm to complement the Air-Gap dual-plane manifold. This kit also comes with a three-keyway True Roller timing chain to ensure accurate timing. As usual, hex-style head bolts, intake bolts, hardened steel pushrods, and intake gaskets are supplied.
What it cost
$1,700
Where to get it
Summit Racing
800.230.3030
summitracing.com