406 SBC head recommendations

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67 Nova
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406 SBC head recommendations

Post by 67 Nova »

OK, we've done some of these in the past and trying to figure out the my sizing. 406 Gm block, Scat 3.75 crank, 6" 4340 rods Wiseco Flat top 4.155 piston, 1/16, 1/16, 3/16 rings. Will be going in a full weight 1978 Z28 with M21 for my wife to drive. Will be hyd roller with cam TBD and running AFT Titon dual-plane intake top with Sniper EFI.

So looking at ATK 210 heads, BUT can't get them shipped to Canada? And with border closed, can't ship them to US and go get them at this time. So looking at ProMaxx 200 or 225's? Just not sure if a 225 head would make it a bit lazy in the lower RPM range with the stick? And 200 might be leaving some on the table once it gets up in the RPMs too?
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by F-BIRD'88 »

You can get AFR's shipped to Canada and you'll only have to do it once.
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by mag2555 »

On average you should stick with no bigger then 200 and in terms of the best average torque from 5K on down I would go with 190.
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by mt-engines »

mag2555 wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:58 pm On average you should stick with no bigger then 200 and in terms of the best average torque from 5K on down I would go with 190.
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by mag2555 »

What took you so long to post up your standard reply MT?
You can cut a man's tongue from his mouth, but that does not mean he’s a liar, it just shows that you fear the truth he might speak about you!
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by MELWAY »

AFR 195 would be nice for this application
Capable of over 500hp with heaps of punch and response
Down low
3370lb Sedan 9.89@136MPH 358chevN/A
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by Steve K »

I'm running AFR 195 Competition Ported heads on my 406. Made 540hp/525tq with a 242/252 Voodoo cam and Vic jr and 750 HP carb. Runs much better with a tunnel ram though. AFR's are the way to go hands down.
79 Cmaro, 427 sbc, Tunnel Ram Dual Quad with Eddy carbs, AFR 210 Race Ready heads, 263-272 @.50 Comp solid roller cam, 4.10's and a faceplated Tremec TKO 600.
65 Beaumont 406 tunnel ram faceplated TKO600
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by lefty o »

afr195 is an excellent head for a combo like that.
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by 1980RS »

I ran factory 062 mild ported Vortec's with a smallish hyd cam last year and it was a 10 sec. ride N/A. The non ported 906's ran mid-11's on my flat top piston 406 and low 12's on a dished piston 400 this year. Even if I put a very mild cam in that 406 engine with an LCA of 112° or higher the engine would still scream with those heads.
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by 67 Nova »

Guys, I guess you missed the part of What ProMaxx head, 200 or 225? I have my choices narrowed down to Either of them, or the ATK 210's?

I don't like AFR heads. Let's just leave it at that as far as AFR heads. and for the extra what, $700.00? IF I was going a different route like that, I would go Profiler 195/210 or for the cost of a OOTB AFR, get Chad to tune up a set of Profiler's. Just prefer not having the raised exh ports.

Now the shop HAS done some very stout stuff in the past. Like more then a few 406 that run 8's @ 2850+lbs. One was a pump-gas 406, ported Track 1 heads, Vic jr and street roller that made 653 @6600. BUT that was 20 yrs ago and I want something a bit more docile for my wife to drive, but still run. With todays technology it is a lot easier then 20 yrs ago. BUT also not looking for 650+Hp.

WE have our own SB and LS casting, just not in the cards to cast any up for a while till this Corona stuff goes away.
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by 67 Nova »

1980RS wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:00 pm I ran factory 062 mild ported Vortec's with a smallish hyd cam last year and it was a 10 sec. ride N/A. The non ported 906's ran mid-11's on my flat top piston 406 and low 12's on a dished piston 400 this year. Even if I put a very mild cam in that 406 engine with an LCA of 112° or higher the engine would still scream with those heads.
80 I agree you have done GREAT with the Vortec stuff and I'm amazed at the track results. Just can't get my hands on any, plus by the time I do, they cost more then these new alum heads. PLUS the fact that my intake won't work and with flat tops, would probably push compression to high.
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by NewbVetteGuy »

Does ATK sell their 210cc head with a 2.08" valve or is the 2.05" valve the only option?

Not sure if these are more available in Canada, but it's at least worth looking at the CNC Flotek 220cc heads.
They are a step up in price from the ATKs which are shockingly cheap.
315 CFM @ .600" -a significantly raised intake port. I have a buddy running them on his 406 who spent a good bit of time port matching them but now he just loves them!

https://www.flotekheads.com/store/Small ... p130678687
Are your tires going to be able to deal with more torque down low? (If not, 220 / 225s)


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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by 1980RS »

67 Nova wrote: Wed Jul 14, 2021 8:42 am
1980RS wrote: Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:00 pm I ran factory 062 mild ported Vortec's with a smallish hyd cam last year and it was a 10 sec. ride N/A. The non ported 906's ran mid-11's on my flat top piston 406 and low 12's on a dished piston 400 this year. Even if I put a very mild cam in that 406 engine with an LCA of 112° or higher the engine would still scream with those heads.
80 I agree you have done GREAT with the Vortec stuff and I'm amazed at the track results. Just can't get my hands on any, plus by the time I do, they cost more then these new alum heads. PLUS the fact that my intake won't work and with flat tops, would probably push compression to high.
I did not know that you couldn't get any Vortec heads and that sucks for sure. I do know that the new ones from GM I guess are looking pretty good with the new castings and machine work so that's encouraging. I wonder if anyone has tried any of the off shore Vortec heads with any good results.
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by 6.50camaro »

1980RS , I seem to remember a post where Larry Meaux used promaxx vortec heads with pretty good results . But there again he can get good results from about any head he "works" on .
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Re: 406 SBC head recommendations

Post by dfarr67 »

I have the vortec eliminator's on my 385 and have been told it's NOT head limited. From what I understand AFR's claim to fame is they do ALOT with smaller cc's by keeping the velocities up.
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