[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Jeff Niceswanger

I went through this. Dave Layer and I researched several heads to a replacement of the famous water leakers of the 083 SBC. They are still impossible to find as the 87-92 IROC and Formula engines they came on are not normally separated from the short block at the junkers/rebuilders. It's too valuable a combo for Rodders and Street Enthusiast. The moral of the story back then was if you owned a 350 cu in 87-92 Camaro/Firebird Iroc or Formula and wanted to run Superstock (and not GT) go buy another car. No heads were available, and if you're lucky to find a set,,,,their junk. So we looked at some GM aftermarket castings.... Dart, World's, even Brodex. The 170cc Dart Super Stock castings was a replacement head made for replacing a head on a street driven L-98. so we went with them.Dave was sending letters to Bruce and I had everybody I know writing letters asking/pleading for this head.Bruce was showing some interest so I drove a new 170 cc Dart 070 casting example (stock,non machined) over to Indianapolis for him to evaluate. BTW, Aluminum was out of the question. Just too many folks pushing back on that. We ending up getting approval and I believe like you it was to be a Superstock only option. Dave had a couple other customers in line to get them so I did not get in on the first batch. He made four sets and almost instantly 3 of them leaked. Heck they were as bad as the 083's.I remember the day when Dave had to call Bruce and tell him the results. Bruce was kind of "having enough of it" and ask Dave "Just exactly what are you suggesting". so the process started again . The second set, the 180cc Dart 010 Iron Eagle head that everybody uses in the cast iron version of the L-98 was the second attempt. The first set is still in the guide, but no one use these things in SS. Just too thin. Now we can't get the 010 Darts either! Good Luck, Our ace in the hole and very knowledgeable Bruce retired many moons ago.

Hi Jeff,
The proposed Profiler casting also allows for both center or perimeter valve covers if NHRA wants the visuals.