I'm looking to have a 347 stroker motor built for my 67 Mustang. I have talked to several engine builders and finally found one that I like and trust. They appear to have a great machine shop and do quality work.
This is not a 600 HP build. He is claiming he can build a 415 HP motor that is reliable for my street application.
He has given me a choice for Cylinder heads.
1. ProComp - he knows all of the reported problems with these heads claims he buys them bare and installs all of the valves, springs...etc and has no problems with them.
2. Edelbrock E-street - again, he will buy them bare. This is a $300 option.
3. Dart Pro 1 heads - these are a $450 dollar option. These are just the 170 entry level head.
He claims he can hit the 400 plus mark with any of the heads.
I'm leaning toward the Dart heads. I afraid of the ProComp heads and would like to buy something made in the USA... for once.
Has anyone ran these heads? I'd like to have any feedback you have.
Also, I don't want to mess with my current headers (shorty headman) and exhaust system. I've heard the Dart heads have a raised exhaust port. Will I have issues with my current exhaust?
Thanks guys.
On a side note from my other post... I bent every valve and pushrod in the 289 I had... hence looking to go a diffenent direction.

 

I put a set on my nova a few years ago. They were a good head. That being said I have buddy that works there so I got a good deal on them. From what I have been told is that dart uses a better quality of aluminum for there casting than some of the other company's out there. I have also heard good things about eddlbrock heads to.

 

I have the Pro Comps, but they were CNC ported,replaed the valves and springs and have had no problems in over 4 years.They replaced a set of Edelbrock RPM heads. And yes you will have header issues with raised ports

 

E-street heads would strangle that engine. They're designed as stock-improvement heads for 5.0's, not for 400hp stroker builds. Performer RPM's would be much better suited to a stroker motor.

I like my Trick Flow Twisted Wedge heads. The flow numbers on them under .500" lift beat out many similar-priced heads. They do require special pistons, however, if you run upwards of .540" lift, especially with a roller cam which will have longer duration.

Companies like Edelbrock, Dart, and Trick Flow use better aluminum castings to start with than off-brand companies. This cuts down on porosity, which I've seen evidence of on some Pro Comp heads. That doesn't mean you can't build a set of Pro Comps into good heads, it just means that some of the heads may have defects that you can't see.

 

i think id go with some Air Flow Research 185cc's or larger personally...heck the 165's with the right parts can make 400hp on a 302

 

Yes, but I've heard bad things about AFR's hardware (valves/keepers especially), and their castings have been known to be sub-par for the price range they're in. They also don't helicoil threads like Edelbrock and Trick Flow.

 

My concern with the dart heads would be header fitment with the spark plug angle..I have seen a build on the fordmuscle site where the only way they could change the spark plugs was to remove the headers...I would go with a good name brand head..Trick flow would work great as well as an edelbrock rpm/vic jr or an AFR 185..

 

The reason they use helicoil is do to the quality of aluminum they use. Dart uses a better quality aluminum for there castings so they don't have to helicoil the bolt holes. I know when i got the dart heads for my nova I could get staight or angled plugs for the Chevy heads. I don't know if that's an option on the ford heads but you could see if that are available.