Performer RPM heads opinions please!

[rmiller]

I am in the process of building a 72 440 for our roadrunner and am seriously considering an edelbrock power package for the engine. I am looking for any opinions on this upgrade. I would buy most of the parts in the kit new anyway and the only thing I have for heads are the stock 346's which need reworked too.
Are there any known issues with these heads? Will the stock Mopar exhaust manifolds work or do I need headers too? Feedback would be much appreciated.

 

[RustyRatRod]

IMO, buying some good aluminum heads would be useless without headers.....but people DO it all the time. That's just my personal opinion, so it really means nothing. The reason I say that is because the added benefit of aluminum heads would be negated by suffocating them with manifolds. But yes, all stock accessories will bolt right up. I will say this, though. When you say "power package", I assume you mean Edelbrock's head and cam package. Just know that there are many more grinds that are light years ahead of what Edelbrock offers for the Mopar engines. That's not opinion, it's fact. I'm not saying their cams suck.....there are just much better ones available.

 

[rmiller]

Then what do I need to get?I thought 480hp/528torque sounded pretty good from a 9.27 compression 440 but I must admit I've never used an edelbrock camshaft before. Always ran competition cams before we bought the Mopar. The package just sounded easy. Am very open to suggestions.

 

[Propwash]

I bought a set of Edelbrock RPM performer heads for my 512 build a few weeks ago. When I opened the box I was initially impressed with the quality. Sitting next to the 452's that came off the motor, right off the bat you could easily see that they were going to breathe better. I took the advice of folks like Rusty Rad Rod and others to get them cleaned up. I took them to a local race shop where they cleaned up the bowls, did some porting and worked the valves. I seen the heads yesterday (which they're wrapping up on) and i'm just stunned how much was cleaned up and opened up. What I thought was great when first receiving the heads, now seamed like some rough looking cast with some slop and far too much excessive material.

I agree with ruster on the headers...Being you're not going with a stock look/motor, why sell yourself short by loading your engine up from constricting exhaust manifolds. You're already making an attempt to make your engine breathe better, why choke it? I just picked up a set of Dougs and there really is no comparison between them and the boat anchor manifolds.

I'm no pro when it comes to building HI-PO modified engines, mainly use to stock/mild rebuilds, but the folks here, including rusty have really given me a hand putting the right pieces in place to build an engine to how i'm gonna be driving the car. IMO, If you're spending the money, don't sell yourself/motor short by just buying a convenient package. Again, just my opinion. Good luck to you either way.

BTW Rusty...Talked with the boys today in Bowling Green at QuickFuel, Q-Series 950 is on it's way..Thanks again.

 

[rev.ronnie]

3R is right, the cams are some pretty old grinds. There are better ones out there. The Edelbrock cams are the same generic cams that Elgin has been selling for years. They come under 20 other names as well and are made by Camshaft Machine. Get something up to date.

As far as the heads, if you do buy them assembled, have them gone through. I usually buy them bare so I can hone the guides and cut the seats the way I want them. I don't really like the intake angles they use out of the box. A 0069 Newen profile is much better, with an additional 75 degree cut in the throat.

I am not even close to happy with the seat to guide runout that they have from Edelbrock either. Have your machine shop put their runout gauge on them and you'll see what I'm talking about. The seat runout should never exceed the guide clearance. I get them all under .001" myself using a carbide pilot and a Sunnen gauge to check them after machining/finish grind.

I have a set in the shop right now. The engine made 490hp and 550# of torque on the Dyno. ( I did not do the initial build). The customer really wanted 550 hp so they are here for porting and seat work. The performer rpm manifold may go as well. I think they will need a single plane to get the hp they want, in the target rpm range they are looking for.

 

[RustyRatRod]

That is pretty good....and on their own dyno. I'm not saying it's false advertisement, but I always see a red flag when a vendor advertises their very own dyno results on products that they sell themselves. I prefer independent results, or at least the freedom to make my own choice. If I were you, I would contact a few different cam companies like Propwash did. Maybe Hughes, Comp and Crane. That way, you'll see a pattern of recommendation, amd cam choose the best from those, or pick something similar on your own, instead of just hoping you got the right grind. ...and lastly, I'm not saying not to use the Edelbrock stuff. It's quality stuff for sure. It's old school. It's proven. It WORKS. I just think there are better choices. But if you're looking for something to drop in and go, without a lot of trouble or research, then my suggestion is go for it. I certainly don't think you'll be disappointed with it.

Then what do I need to get?I thought 480hp/528torque sounded pretty good from a 9.27 compression 440 but I must admit I've never used an edelbrock camshaft before. Always ran competition cams before we bought the Mopar. The package just sounded easy. Am very open to suggestions.

 

[lewtot184]

edelbrocks advertised dyno numbers are probably inflated and do require headers. if i was going to keep the cast iron exhaust manifolds i think something like the hughs pro-pocket iron heads with a quench dome piston would work fine. camshaft selection with iron manifolds is critical. spread the lobe separation out and be careful of too much duration.