[Jeff Christenson]

Have any of you heard of a company called Performance Heads? I saw an ad of theirs in Hot Rod Magazine for cylinder heads. They are selling HP GM heads with: 58cc, 64cc, or 76cc; 1.94/1.50 or 2.02/1.6 valves; magnafluxed, bronze guides, 3 angle valve job, stage 1 port, screw in studs, guideplates, stainless valves, pc seals, .510 lift springs. They want $479.99 with free shipping and $5 handling. So $480 for a pair of heads. Does this sound like a good deal to you guys? Anybody ever gotten any heads from them?

[dallam1]

Well, it's ok. When I hear 58 and 64 cc heads, I'm inclined to think that they are using the later model "TBI" 350 or 305 heads. I'm sure they will run fine but for that money you could find a set locally and have a local shop go over them. If I go to a junk yard, I can get heads from 50 to 80 bucks. But there is this place that dismantles engines and I can get heads that are magnfluxed for about 110 dollars. To me half of the fun is meeting some of these old timers that own machine shops. I always get a good deal and they have helped me with my "home porting" and steer me in the right direction for parts etc. Incidently, I think that plentyfull and cheap 993 heads are great street heads for the money. However, they are 76CCs. If you need 64 CC heads and you can't find the Camel humps cheaply (don't forget that most Camel hump heads don't have accessary holes)then the later model "TBI" heads do make a good street head. I had a set of 993 heads rebuilt and did a home port and polish on them for just a tad more than 400 bucks. The motor's in a Camaro and will boil the hides at will. If you're a bucks down guy like me then don't dispare, with careful choises of stock parts, you can have a "barn burner" for very few dollars. With the money that you save, you can buy the misses something nice and keep peace in the family! Good luck

[1QUIK69]

They take the worst castings possible and add larger valves, and heavy duty springs, locks, and retainers. They use the "882" for the 76cc and they are very prone to crack. The 882's are a very good flowing head though. For the 64 or 62cc heads, they use mid to late 70's 305 heads and hog them out to 1.94/1.50 or 2.02/1.6" valves, and add springs that are good to around .510" lift. For around $100 more you can get them bowl blended. My friend had one on a 383, and it would run out of steam before 6000 rpm. He added Sportsman II and could rev alot higher, and run alot better, but the heads gave him traction issues in his 68 Camaro. I would call them and see what castings you have before you go ahead and buy them. Then go over to <a href="http://www.mortec.com" target="_blank">www.mortec.com</a> and find out what they really are. Good luck!! Oh, and in my opinion, for a small block Chevy, the Vortec heads are a VERY good way to go! The only drawback is you have to run a special intake, and self aligning rocker arms.

[ March 10, 2003: Message edited by: 1QUIK69 ]</p>