pro comp heads

[1968BM]

Hi guys, Has anyone used a set of pro comp bbc heads? Was checking them out and was wondering if anyone here had used them. Im currently build a 427 bored .030 over with KB 176 pistons and wanna run a .520 lift cam. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

[VintageMusclecar]

Your money can be <span style="font-weight: bold">far</span> better spent elsewhere.

What are your specific performance goals?

[1968BM]

I wanna good street machine, with some dragstrip runs.

[PxTx]

What kind of gear do you want to run?

[VintageMusclecar]

What kind of e.t's are you looking to run, and what does your car weigh?

[Hemicolt]

While the castings themselves aren't terrible, the Pro Comp heads leave a little to be desired.
The valve guide material is junk. We have seen several sets ground away by the valve stems in just a few thousand miles. Also, seat machining isn't very consistent.
As a comparison, my 540 is equipped with a roller cam, flat top pistons and LS6 cast heads. H.P. is 704 on pump gas. The 69 Camaro, that I posted pictures of under the Chevrolet section, has a 540 with a similar roller cam, flat top pistons and Pro Comp heads. H.P. on pump gas is 738.
Also keep in mind, this customer had to pay the machine shop to replace all the guides and redo the seats. Not a bargain in the end.

[69 Post Sedan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hemicolt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">While the castings themselves aren't terrible, the Pro Comp heads leave a little to be desired.
The valve guide material is junk. We have seen several sets ground away by the valve stems in just a few thousand miles. Also, seat machining isn't very consistent.
As a comparison, my 540 is equipped with a roller cam, flat top pistons and LS6 cast heads. H.P. is 704 on pump gas. The 69 Camaro, that I posted pictures of under the Chevrolet section, has a 540 with a similar roller cam, flat top pistons and Pro Comp heads. H.P. on pump gas is 738.
Also keep in mind, this customer had to pay the machine shop to replace all the guides and redo the seats. Not a bargain in the end. </div></div>

Tracy, your response mimics what I've been told of the Pro Comp heads. By the time you make the heads &quot;right&quot;, you would have been better off buying a set of AFR or Brodix heads for example. I've also heard the aluminum for the Pro Comp heads isn't as strong.

Kurt

[Chevy454]

IMHO, a good set of factory heads would work fine, especially no bigger of a cam than you're looking at...matter of fact, a good set of oval ports is a pretty formidable setup.

[old5.0]

Procomp=Chinese crap. Agree with Rob. Even a set of well-prepped iron ovals would be a better use of your money.

[VintageMusclecar]

Most reasonable performance goals can easily be accomplished with factory castings. As long as you aren't starting out with a trashed set of factory heads, the cost should be reasonable.

[1968BM]

Thanks for the responces guys. I have a set of 049 oval port heads. I think i will just get those done. Im building a 68 chevelle 427 bored .030 over with a m21 muncie with 3.73 12 bolt rear, with a hotchkis 4 link rear.

[EZ Nova]

1968BM, I would NOT run Pro Comp ANYTHING, let alone heads. FYI for what it's worth, I have a .030 427 with closed chamber oval heads. Nothing fancy or special. Really just a L-88 with better solid NOT roller cam, ported oval port heads, holley intake. Street car @ 3500 lbs HAS run 10.40's in a '69 Nova. Hadmore in it but got booted for no roll bar.

Now we have another 427 .030 over, 12.5 to 1 with roller came, ported sq port heads on a factory dual plane intake that makes north of 700Hp with the roundy-round cam. Car runs 500 mile endurance races.

Just use the factory heads, nice RPM air-gap intake with a mild cam and you'll be better off.

[markinnaples]

I believe it was Popular Hot Rodding or Hot Rod that did an excellent test of aftermarket Chevy aluminum heads showing the cost, how well they performed on the same test engine, etc. a few months ago. I will have to dig up that article and see if I can post the results here.

[1968BM]

Cool guys thanks. I would like to see that article.

[ds1]

I work on three drag cars and one has a set on. We found out the seats are junk like everyone else has said. I also found out that the rockers were not all lined up to hit the valve stem correctly. Only if you get a smoking deal on a used seat and have plenty of extra money to replace the seats and put new valves in that is the only way I would recommend them. One of the cars has Brodix BB2s on it and they work awesome. I bought an extra set of Pro Comp CNC ported heads for $175 that dropped a valve and pushed into the intake runner. The owner of the car is a certified welder specializing in aluminum. So no big deal for us. They flow good and can make big power. We have a 489 making 660 hp with a Comp hydraulic roller. But Pro Comp heads have issues out of the box.

[markinnaples]

Sorry it took me so long to find the article. We had a party at our house and some stuff got moved around.

It was in Car Craft:

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1209_eight_budget_sbc_head_shootout/viewall.html

[1968BM]

thanks guys for the info.