200cc heads or 180cc?

im trying to decide which heads i should use on a chevy 400 block thatll make about 500 hp and foot lbs. the rpms will be idle to about 5500rpm. .480 lift cam with 1.6 rockers. so its like .512 lift right? duration is 230/230 with 1.5 rockers. so would it be like 233 with 1.6 rockers?

im ether going with brodix or afr. if i go with brodix should i get with the ik 200? and if i go with afr should i get the 195cc or the 180cc?


thanks


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AFR 195's just make sure to get the lift up with high ratio rockers or a more agressive cam (roller or solid flat).

400's are big motors, I'd use the bigger heads. 400's are the smallest small block I build if I can get a good block, I'll build a 383 if forced to, but not a 350 because it is just a waste of a good 383 block .
Think of it this way: In big block terms, the 400 is the 502 of the small block world.

I personally would go with a bigger runner, something like a 215 or so (plus you can usually get a 2.08 valve)... but if you are looking a just the IK series, defenitely the 200cc head...

thanks for the replies!
i think ill go with the ik 200 then. afr is like $500 more. im on a $4000 budget so im trying to get cheep but good quality parts.

and what springs should i use on the ik 200? are the stock brodix ones alright since im not revving it over 5500?

do 400 block like roller lifters? or are flat tappet lifters the way to go. i have the 2 bolt 509 block.


thanks

Roller or solid flat tappet lifter is up to you, and spring pressure specs need to match the type of cam you decide to use, not just "the springs came on the heads good to .600" lift". Got to decide what cam before you buy or else get them bare and buy the rest later.

Does anybody believe in asking the manufacturer what their recommendations would be anymore? Just wondering who would know their products better than the people that cast and machine them. I would love to hear about you calling Brodix and AFR and getting your answer and then reporting it here for all to see. Give something back to the board.

cool rockin daddy, they (brodix) dont seem to know anything. i called 4 times and no one could answer my questions. 3 times 2 days ago and once again today. i asked to talk to someone in the shop and they said they would transfer me. never happened.....

heres the cam: http://www.lunaticams.com/Product.aspx?id=1779&gid=245

and 1.6:1 rockers.

and the springs on the brodix ik 200

1.250 Hydraulic Valve Spring
100 lb Closed, 300 lb Open,
1.850 Installed Height,
.525 Maximum Lift

or these with a roller cam with the same specs

1.470 Hydraulic Roller Valve Spring
125 lb Closed, 325 lb Open,
1.900 Installed Height,
.575 Maximum Lift

do the cam and springs mach ok?

thanks

I personally would go with the 1.470" spring, but you have to realize that if it is a double spring you will have to remove the inner coil spring to break in a flat tappet cam, and then put them back in after that. It is too much pressure for a new lifter and cam lobe to handle. The smaller 1.250" spring will be fine if you aren't going to try to take the hydraulic cam over about 6400 rpm.
Cool-- My experience with company recommendations is they will always be overly conservative if you tell them street use or street n' strip. You only get a good choice if you tell them race. This is just a generalization, however.
"To each his own"

so if i went with a roller cam i wont need to remove the inner spring?? i need to do some more research on roller cams!

and can i even put a hydraulic flat tappet cam and lifters in a chevy 400 block?

Correct.

Yep even hyd roller with retro fit rollers.

sweet! that will make things a lot easier.


thanks everyone

BRILLIANT. Brodix has on their website a recommendation chart.

http://brodix.com/heads/compression.html

And as far as asking manufacturers, Dart has a great Forum you can ask at, very helpful. http://www.dartheads.com/dartboard/

Additionally, there is Edlebrock, Canfield, and others. Consider them all and please don't buy into the internet hype. NONE and I MEAN NONE of the products mentioned are any superior over the other. It's a chocolate and vanilla......Chevy or Ford.... argument no matter what anyone tells you.

I think the biggest difference s that AFR's are CNC ported and polished and as I recall the IK200's are not. If you want to do your own portwork they're the way to go. But they aren't the greatest head out of the box. With work though they're pretty darn good.