I want to put a nice set of aluminum heads on my engine and I am confused on Combustion Chamber Size?

Question

I have a 35O Chevy with stock heads, I have forged pistons 10-1, a Competition 280 Magnum hydralic cam and a 750 Mechanical Holley built by PC Carbs on top of LT 1 manifold. So nothing really special. I need more horsepower and I thought the engine would probably wake up with a nice set of new aluminum heads. The question is "There is all different combustion chamber sizes out there and I need to know what produces more horspower? Smaller or bigger? If you understand all this, can you tell me about sizes in layman's terms and can you tell me what would give me the biggest bang for my buck and still keep the engine streetable? I figured that I would probably need to change the cast iron manifold and I was thinking an Air Gap would be a good choice. Am I going in the right direction for a decent horsepower increase? I know I have many questiions in all this. I hope I supplied all the data needed to answer the questions. I am very appreciative to those who give me advice - Thank you!

Answer 1

dont ask this type of technial info here most of the answers you get will be from people who dont know anything

you need to get a pro that can blueprint the engine for you check with your local machine shop

Answer 2

There are many variables to this answer. Piston configuration and head chamber size being the only the first two. Do you still want to run pump gas? Is the vehicle normally aspirated(does it have a turbo or blower or do you plan to add one)? Normally 10 to 1 would be the upper limit for pump gas on a normally aspirated engine. If this is what you have don't go any smaaller on the chamber size or you will end up with your timing retarded to prevent pre-ignition and will rob yourself of horsepower and even more importantly TORQUE.

Answer 3

i wouldnt go any bigger than 72 cc heads on a fairly stock motor. the air-gap intake is all wrong for a street engine you should prob go with edelbrock performer.

Answer 4

I wouldn't go with aluminum,cause if it overheats one day they could warp,stick with cast iron,alot more rugged.I'd go with Bow Tie heads.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=NAL%2D25534371&N=700+4294867081+4294908216+4294840140+400129+115&autoview=sku

Answer 5

Not sure I am doing you a favour but if this is what you like consider these guy they are very well respected in the automotive sector

http://www.edelbrock.com/