New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Has anyone heard that NHRA has approved the use of aluminum heads (The Edelbrock Heads) for the replacement of the CI ones that can be no longer Located? it was said they still had to have the same spec's as the CI ones. (IE; 2.06/1.72 valves, the same cc's and the same intake/exhaust spec's)

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

There are two new Edelbrock heads on the current list (3/27/14). They are numbers 60547 and 60447. Does this help?

Dale

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

The Edelbrock 60547 has a 315 runner and is the same as the GMPP "401" head both being Rectangle Port and Legal. The Edelbrock 60447 has a 290 Oval Port runner, but is listed from suppliers (Summit & Jegs) as NHRA Legal and is described as having 2.19 - 1.88 valve seats. Obviously there is more to this, than I would be ready to assume. Could make quite a difference on a 325-350-360HP combination if its reality. MB.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Isn't this for Super Stock only though?

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

per Edelbrock's website, the rectangle port is legal stock and ss, the oval port is super stock only.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

60447 is for the 396/325/350 HP combo's for SS only. Too bad thought I was getting some aluminum heads. :)

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

The 60547 heads on summitracing.com says the spark plug hole is moved closer to the combustion chamber by .150 and the NHRA rule book says it has to be in the same location. Not sure how it's an accepted product

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

By adding 10 HP

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Funny how the stocker guys can't use these heads and have to dig thru junk at swap meets, etc. to get a set of heads but the Super Stock racer can use because they can't locate the stock Cast Iron heads.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

And the rest of us that DON'T have a 396 "have to dig thru junk at swap meets, etc.to get a set of heads" and that's OK?
Somehow, I just don't feel sorry for the poor Stocker guys that run a 396!

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Sorry Billy I'm not buying into "And the rest of us that DON'T have a 396 "have to dig thru junk at swap meets, etc.to get a set of heads" and that's OK?
Somehow, I just don't feel sorry for the poor Stocker guys that run a 396!"
statement.
When was the last time you saw a 396 in a junk yard? I havent in years. At the swap meets everyone who has set of "original 396/427 closed chamber CORVETTE(because they are always corvette heads) heads" thinks they are worth thousands. Also most of what you find have had big valves put in, home ported or "raced up" and not useable.
I would love an aluminum option if for no other reason than the weight! I don't know about you but they are a little tough on the back! LOL

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Yeah. My social security goes a long way in the racing world.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Let's make a couple of things PERFECTLY clear. First, nowhere in the rule book does it say that "the NHRA feels sorry for Racers who want to race a 396 and we're going to make it cheaper and easier to do so than Racers who race other combos. Second, the "hardcore Racers" who run a 396 HAVE heads, they just don't want to share them with the "checkbook Racers" who want to run a XXX/396 '69 Camaro or Nova because Daddy had one. Just like the "hardcore Racers" who race Max wedges, Hemis or 427/428 FFFFords. Do you think that you're the only Racer that has trouble finding cores? Try finding some #339 smallblock heads or some #01 Pontiac heads! I'll guarantee you that they're harder to find than bigblock stuff.
If you don't want to pay the price or do the digging then race a new Copo! Or a Cavalier!

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

or you could always run a Mopar because there are aluminum heads for EVERYTHING over there!
Yeah, that 318/2V stuff is real hard to find.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Billy,
Now that you've dug a hole for the 396/375 racer I'll let ya in on a little info. These heads are for the low horse OVAL port motors. The CHEAP motor to build. lol

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Damn, Can only hit the like button one time. I vote to allow 4-10 like votes per discussion. lol

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

I don’t know of one part that comes from the junk yard on a 396/375. Lol or almost any rectangular port BBC combo.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

You got me on that Terry, but the argument is the same.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Let you in on a little secret. The edelbrock heads are 10 times as hard to find as the originals. Especially for any mopar combination

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Personally I wouldn't have a problem with aftermarket heads as long as a HP increase goes with them. I'm sure a lot of stock racers would be happy to have a new set of heads with nice virgin bolt holes and haven't been milled to hell. Just add the extra required weight and go race

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

You guys don’t know how good you have it! Try racing an Oldsmobile…a small block Oldsmobile! Try finding correct number vintage heads, block, intake for one of those. Heads changed every year and the external casting codes are an inch tall! Not easy to sneak any hokey numbers there!

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

I personally have a "dog in this fight" and for what it's worth, aluminum cylinder heads do not belong in Stock Eliminator, unless they were TRULY OEM on the car in question. Just the last couple of years my son and I have been running a 396/325 Camaro and stock heads are not that hard to find. Sure, it would be easier on our backs, but it would be a helluva lot harder on our wallets in the long run.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

There's a real easy "fix" for that! Build a new Camaro/Mustang/Challenger and you get "nice virgin bolt holes" AND aluminum heads!

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Even when they were available, they also required crapload of work to make them legal....even with ahem a HP penalty in some cases......

Whats next as the sport evolves and tries to keep the best car show on earth relevant and attract new blood?

Approved aftermarket fuel injection systems for everyone....

Come on Lonnie, make T/SA great again and give the Gremlin a chance to win class!

Eric

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

9" tire, stock "appearing" body, any "factory" available hood scoop, any "factory" available crate engine, any dial-in as long as it meets E.T. required safety requirements.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

God forbid!

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Hi Paul. Yep- none in stock. Back ordered or N/A. Since they moved and changed hands I would expect more of this to come.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

I've raced in Stock Eliminator with an Olds every single year since '91 and it doesn't need aluminum heads either. No disrespect meant but I've never had a problem finding heads, intakes, etc. All aluminum heads would do is add cost.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Let me ask this; If the 396/375 racers could find original blocks and heads would they be using them?

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

They would use a sleeved 454 block but the aftermarket blocks are superior in every way, too bad they're only available for some combos, mainly SBC abd BBC.

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Yes...but slightly cost prohibitive over here.....

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

The heads for my Firebird are made of unobtanium. Lol 3K for a set of castings if you can even find them. I tried getting aluminum heads and the NHRA told me no. “Change your combo or quit is basically what I was told. I don’t really feel that bad for the Chev racers. I’d take 10hp extra to be able to change to aluminum replacements. They just don’t care about Pontiac’s or the people racing them.
Forgot the other combos that got replacement heads that were bigger, runner volume, valve size, etc. to replace heads you can get anywhere or anytime. The injustice of the NHRA. Lol

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

I’ve got a dog in this fight, and I’ll say this. There isn’t an oval port aftermarket head on the market that belongs in stock eliminator. The edelbrock is allowed in SS because you can legally make the runner the correct size (nearly 30cc smaller). And let’s face it, a modern SS head has zero resemblance to a factory head, other than that valve cover fitment rule. But what I would take gladly is an aftermarket intake to replace my 1 year wonder pita. Lol

Re: New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396
 

Look no farther, I have a single 849 hi-perf head if anyone is interested.

email me at mjacquesjr@cox.net