Reply to "What heads?"

Dennis,

the Aussie 2V heads are a respectable set of heads once the 4V valves are installed AND they've been ported. With that work they perform very well, on par with the 4V heads within limits, yet with better throttle response. They match your stated goals (pep & reliable driver) perfectly. They allow the motor to come on the cam at a lower rpm, and are very good performers to 6000 rpm. As a point of reference a company called Power Heads sells Aussie heads fully prepped as I described for $1525.

Without the valves & porting, I don't recommend them, a look at the head flow data explains why:

..............Aussie 2V..Aussie 2V
valve lift...as cast.....ported & 4V valves

0.100"......59/44.......79/75
0.200"......112/79.....154/109
0.300"......156/109....206/156
0.400"......178/130....231/180
0.500"......187/153....244/200
0.550"......188/164....250/207

the performance is significantly worse before porting. You would notice the power loss, compared to your 4V heads. With ported heads, you'll notice a gain in throttle response with no power loss.

However, if you're leaning towards purchasing a set of alloy 2V heads, both of the alloy 2V heads manufactured in Australia, by AFD & CHI, would be better choices. Either will out perform the Edelbrock heads, and are priced competitively.

Ported Aussie iron 2V heads, or alloy 2V heads from AFD or CHI; combined with the XE274 cam & the Edelbrock RPM air gap intake manifold would make a sweet combination, I know you would be pleased with the performance. I hope you have a dyno shop that can dial in the carb & ignition afterwards.

Your friend on the DTBB, George