MOpar guys- W2 head questions

[Hohn]

Well, I have finally settled on building a small block for my Coronet. I know what I am doing with the bottom end, but now my questions are about the top.



At cursory glance, the W2 Econo heads seem to be a real cheap way to go fast. People have told me to avoid them, though, because they need a lot of machining. Tell me, don't the W2s comes with valve spring pockets and such already there? I mean, are these things ultra bare bones or what? I don't mind guide install and such, but if the cost to prep them is more than what the castings cost to begin with ($350), then they aren't such a value.



Should I just break down and get the Edelbrock heads? They're only $1279/pr. I wish there were more options in a cast iron head...



BTW- I am starting from scratch, so getting different headers/intakes, etc isn't a concern for me.



Hohn

 

[KennyM]

Hohn, I do not have an answer, but you may want to try www.moparstyle.net . They seem to be hardcore enthusiasts and cover all mopars.

 

[mopars1]

In my opinion, the W-2's are the best for the money. In another light no cylinder head is "great" right out of the box. If you want the best performance you have to do some port and bowl work on any of the good cylinder heads. They are made this way to give the engine builder some room to work but at the same time you get more power than stock out of the box even though it might not be more than 25 horsepower or so without the before mentioned machine work. The Edelbrock heads are good pieces, but the W-2's give the best bang for the buck



David

 

[parcher]

I've got a CD coming due in a few years, when it does I'm building a 413cu in SMALLBLOCK with massaged Edelbrock heads, gonna be in the 500 hp range on pumpgas. A fiend of mine is racing a SuperStocker (gt-car) with a smallblock with w-8 heads and making a TON of power 8. 40's at 156mph! I would put in a call to Muscle Motors (ad in ALL of the Mopar mags) and Indy Cylinder Head before I invested in heads.

 

[Hohn]

There's a moparts board member knocking on the door of the 8's with a stroker and w2 heads! Not bad for a 2300 lb Dart, eh?



MOpars Rule!



Hohn

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Look at these babies

A have a pair of '70 T/A Six pack heads. They have been heavily ported. Just collecting dust.



I don't want to sell them. I have Had them for 15 years.

 

[Hohn]

Those T/A heads are worth less than other heads unless you also own a 70 Challenger T/A.



Hemi, I would see if you can't find a T/A owner in need of numbers-matching heads. Suit yourself.



Besides, aren't almost any aftermarket heads faster than factory iron? I am personally lusting after the W2 setup, but the Ed heads or Indy setups are capable of a lot of flow.



So HEMI, what do you know about the W2? Other than offset rockers and the stands, what do I need to run these heads? How much machining do they need out of the box?



Hohn

 

[mopars1]

Hohn, if you look back to your first post, you asked about the "econo" W-2 cylinder heads. The reason they are the "econo" heads is they can use the stock type valve train (ie: rocker shafts and standard style rocker arms) and this will save you some money. Also, they come with guides for 3/8" stem valves and they have the spring pockets already cut. They are still the best bang for the buck in my book.

 

[Hohn]

OK, I know that the Econo heads have some things already done to them (guides, seats, rocker stands cast in). BUT, I was under the impression that you could NOT use stock style rockers because of the offset intake?? Here's where I am headed:



Stroked 360 (4" crank, . 030 over)

W2 heads

Schubeck lifters (for durability)

UltraDyne Solid Cam (~240° @. 050)

FORGED Crank

H-beam Rods (Eagle)

Ross or Diamond pistons 11:1

Speed-pro moly rings

std vol oil pump (melling)

MP hard oil shaft

MSD distributor (w/Digital 6 box)





This going in a '69 Coronet Deluxe (stripper model) with a 3. 55 Sure Grip.



Hohn

 

[Hohn]

OK, I know that the Econo heads have some things already done to them (guides, seats, rocker stands cast in). BUT, I was under the impression that you could NOT use stock style rockers because of the offset intake?? I will probably have to get the Mopar rocker kit. Here's where I am headed:



Stroked 360 (4" crank, . 030 over)

W2 heads

Schubeck lifters (for durability)

UltraDyne Solid Cam (~240° @. 050)

FORGED Crank

H-beam Rods (Eagle)

Ross or Diamond pistons 11:1

Speed-pro moly rings

std vol oil pump (melling)

MP hard oil shaft

MSD distributor (w/Digital 6 box)





This is going in a '69 Coronet Deluxe (stripper model) with a 3. 55 Sure Grip.



Hohn