New Aluminum Cylinder Heads for the 396

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by stocker396

When was the last time you saw a 396 in a junk yard? I havent in years. At the swap meets everyone who has set of "original 396/427 closed chamber CORVETTE(because they are always corvette heads) heads" thinks they are worth thousands!

Let's make a couple of things PERFECTLY clear. First, nowhere in the rule book does it say that "the NHRA feels sorry for Racers who want to race a 396 and we're going to make it cheaper and easier to do so than Racers who race other combos. Second, the "hardcore Racers" who run a 396 HAVE heads, they just don't want to share them with the "checkbook Racers" who want to run a XXX/396 '69 Camaro or Nova because Daddy had one. Just like the "hardcore Racers" who race Max wedges, Hemis or 427/428 FFFFords. Do you think that you're the only Racer that has trouble finding cores? Try finding some #339 smallblock heads or some #01 Pontiac heads! I'll guarantee you that they're harder to find than bigblock stuff.
If you don't want to pay the price or do the digging then race a new Copo! Or a Cavalier!

[Billy Nees]

or you could always run a Mopar because there are aluminum heads for EVERYTHING over there!
Yeah, that 318/2V stuff is real hard to find.

[Terry Cain]

Originally Posted by stocker396

Sorry Billy I'm not buying into "And the rest of us that DON'T have a 396 "have to dig thru junk at swap meets, etc.to get a set of heads" and that's OK?
Somehow, I just don't feel sorry for the poor Stocker guys that run a 396!"
statement.
When was the last time you saw a 396 in a junk yard? I havent in years. At the swap meets everyone who has set of "original 396/427 closed chamber CORVETTE(because they are always corvette heads) heads" thinks they are worth thousands. Also most of what you find have had big valves put in, home ported or "raced up" and not useable.
I would love an aluminum option if for no other reason than the weight! I don't know about you but they are a little tough on the back! LOL

Damn, Can only hit the like button one time. I vote to allow 4-10 like votes per discussion. lol

[Terry Cain]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

And the rest of us that DON'T have a 396 "have to dig thru junk at swap meets, etc.to get a set of heads" and that's OK?
Somehow, I just don't feel sorry for the poor Stocker guys that run a 396!

Yeah. My social security goes a long way in the racing world.

[e vassar]

Personally I wouldn't have a problem with aftermarket heads as long as a HP increase goes with them. I'm sure a lot of stock racers would be happy to have a new set of heads with nice virgin bolt holes and haven't been milled to hell. Just add the extra required weight and go race

[Dave Siltman]

You guys don’t know how good you have it! Try racing an Oldsmobile…a small block Oldsmobile! Try finding correct number vintage heads, block, intake for one of those. Heads changed every year and the external casting codes are an inch tall! Not easy to sneak any hokey numbers there!

[Jim Kaekel]

Originally Posted by Dave Siltman

You guys don’t know how good you have it! Try racing an Oldsmobile…a small block Oldsmobile! Try finding correct number vintage heads, block, intake for one of those. Heads changed every year and the external casting codes are an inch tall! Not easy to sneak any hokey numbers there!

I've raced in Stock Eliminator with an Olds every single year since '91 and it doesn't need aluminum heads either. No disrespect meant but I've never had a problem finding heads, intakes, etc. All aluminum heads would do is add cost.

[Jim Kaekel]

I personally have a "dog in this fight" and for what it's worth, aluminum cylinder heads do not belong in Stock Eliminator, unless they were TRULY OEM on the car in question. Just the last couple of years my son and I have been running a 396/325 Camaro and stock heads are not that hard to find. Sure, it would be easier on our backs, but it would be a helluva lot harder on our wallets in the long run.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by e vassar

I'm sure a lot of stock racers would be happy to have a new set of heads with nice virgin bolt holes and haven't been milled to hell.

There's a real easy "fix" for that! Build a new Camaro/Mustang/Challenger and you get "nice virgin bolt holes" AND aluminum heads!

[e vassar]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

There's a real easy "fix" for that! Build a new Camaro/Mustang/Challenger and you get "nice virgin bolt holes" AND aluminum heads!

Yes...but slightly cost prohibitive over here.....