Hey guys, I have finished the pre-assembly of my short block and now its time to work with the heads. I need some help. I have the Procomp 3001 64cc aluminum heads with 2.02 Intake and 1.6 exhaust valves and 200cc intake ports.

Now I have already spent alot of money for an Edelbrock RPM edurashine intake/waterpump. MSD pro-billet ready to run dizzy, March high-flow serpentine setup, and a Holley 670 street avenger.

The short block is a procomp 383 balanced rotating assembly with speed pro h859cp (9.67 with 64cc compression), King bearings, moroso oil pan/pump.

Now the cam is a blue racer cam, here is the card:

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3064/camspecpi5.jpg

Ok I want to keep the cam, with whatever heads I decide to use. A little more info on my complete setup:

I plan to use the car for shows and cruise inn's. No real drag racing. I'm looking for a streetable 383 to run on pump gas at 10:1 to 9.5:1. The engine will have a th400 with a Hughes 2500 stall, and a 3:42 gear ratio.

Now with all that said, when I ordered all this stuff last summer, I really wanted a set of edelbrock aluminum heads. I'm still thinking about buying a set and using these Procomps for my 81Z 350 build. I haven't even finished my first one yet and I want to do another!:happy:

What edelbrock heads would work well with all that I have stated? or should I just use what I have? Also I have a set of new Felpro 1034 head gaskets. Not sure If I would need different ones for the edelbrock heads. I measured the #1 piston at tdc @ .015 below the deck. The block has not been decked. Thanks, Russ

I know nothing about the Procomp heads, but if you've already got 'em I'd use them unless you have a really good reason to switch. Given that it's more of a show/cruise vehicle I don't see the wisdom in swapping one set of aluminum aftermarket heads for a different set of aluminum aftermarket heads. They're going to look the same from the outside and a few HP one way or the other doesn't sound like it would be a priority worth spending big bucks on.

First off, I agree with Damon. While I have not read up on those heads, I'm guessing this is a matter of a few HP & a lot of $$$$.

If you really feel like spending money, I would spend $175 for a new cam rather than spend $1000 on new heads. In fact, I was pulling out my hair trying to match heads to the cam I already bought for my 383. Then I did the math... I just bought another small base-circle cam...

FWIW, your intake manifold is designed to run from 1500 to 6500 RPM's. Your heads are probably designed to run a similar range. Check out your cam's range. You are really limiting your top end potential. I would suggest either getting a new cam or running some higher lift (1.6 ratio) rockers. If you have not bought rockers yet, this may be a good compromise solution. Then again, if you never really plan to open the car up, it really doesn't matter.

I have the procomp heads on my 383 and i run 87 octane fuel regularly through it. Not a fan of the heads with the constant reading of quality problems but mine are ok. The car runs hard too. Its no slouch for a mild 383. I would just use them. If you do get eddys then get the etecs.

Still trying to decide, May be a silly question, I did a searched and learned that 1.6 rockers would add about .030 in lift. What else would it do for my current cam? Also are 1.6 rockers harder on the valve train?

One other ?, I have already clearenced the cam, and if I go another route with another cam, does more lift change the clearence between the cam lobe and the rod shoulder? For example my current intake lift is .465, and the cam another member recommended is .489. So would I lose .024 of clearence or am I really confused?

Also another ?. Take a look at this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=260082993563&rd=1,1

When he starts talking about the cams rpm range being used in a 383 rather than a 350, the #'s are changed? Is this true? If so how does it affect my cam card?

I have been thinking of using my current cam and Procomp heads for my 81 build and buying the edelbrocks with this Lunati cam that dui's Z recommended:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=LUN%2D60103LK&autoview=sku

Thanks, Russ

Man I wouldn't go near those Blue Racer cams.If I read the cam card right they both have a LSA of 114.Also look at the advertised duration, that's are rather large numbers for mild grinds.

It is true that if you were to install the same cam in a 350 and one in a 383 the 383 will have a lower operation range.Therefore a 383 can use a slightly larger cam and still maintain streetability.


Going by your want for a cruiser/driver/show car I'd say if you got that Lunati PN#60103LK
227 int./233 exh.
268 int./276 exh.
.489 int./0.504 exh.
110LSA

You'd be happy :)
My 350 had a similar cam with 3.42 gears,26inch tall tires, and a 2400 stall converter.The gears worked good but the converter was just a little too small for it.I think this combo will work pretty darn good in a 383 with a slightly taller tire.