Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Hey everyone....

I have been having a HARD time trying to get my 454 86 IROC to pass inspection. I mean.... it 'does' pass, but not the visual though, and the small garages around here are too afraid to take the generous 'tip' I offer....

Anyway, somebody offered to trade an older set of Dominion 32 valve cyliner heads.... for my ENTIRE 454. I seen them today, and they look sweet, but for an entire engine?

I still have a 350 that's been sitting in my garage, and pretty much waiting to be installed 'somewhere', and herein lyes my question;

Should I agree to the swap, install my 350.... and add a set of 32 valve heads? Or just sell the 454, and install my older 350 with the heads that are already on it? I mean.... has anyone ever installed these 32 valve heads, or in the very least, have they been in a car that had them installed by a friend, and if so, did they pull like there was no tomorrow (because my 454 already does)?

Any opinions would be appreciated!!

(Just to add.... my 454 is WORKED, it is not stock, and it's pulling well over 500lb ft of torque. Even with the sub-frame connectors, the chassis feels like it wants to 'twist' lol)

1991tealRSt-topGuy

i wouldnt

i remember hearing about pre-mature wear problems with either the valve seats or guides (cant remember which) with those heads

Drastius

Are those the same as those Arao? or whatever 32 valve heads. Thought I read somewhere that those are pretty much strictly for racing, not really for a street machine.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

These heads have the word "Dominion" stamped on the valve covers.... and from what he's telling me, they were originally designed for street use, and are 50 state street legal. They are complete, even with gaskets (both valve covers and the heads). He claimed that he spent thousands for them awhile back (a few years that is).... and he only used them for a few months, in which he then bought a vette.

They look freakin awesome, and well preserved.... but I don't think I'm about to swap a 454 that propels me deep into the 11's for a set of heads that might not even be manufactured anymore.....

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

That's what I was contemplating the entire day.... what if I need replacement parts, only to find out that they don't manufacture them anymore lol...

Thanks Guys!!!

Drastius

I was wondering if they had holes for accessory brackets?

level

oh my you have a 454 in a f-body :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail:

Air_Adam

Maybe say it was de-stroked to 305/350 ci (which ever was originally there)? You never know... lol

Daz

iTrader: (1)

youre going to need headers/intake and valvetrain parts made or get suctom ones..Not worth it IMO.Maybe that same person would have SB2 barts as well

Daz

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

LOL... I tell you, any engine can make over 500lb ft of torque, but when you have an engine that is able to make it just after reaching 2500 RPM, the pull from there and up is amazing!

I was fooling around up against some Turbo Supra on the way back from the store this morning (I drive it locally, even without the inspection sticker), and before he could spool up, I was gone! I mean, I was literally gone! He pulled up to me a stop light later and asked, what do you have in that thing... I just had to laugh, with no comment.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

It'd be tough though, as the engine is gigantic compared to the small block. I know what I'm going to have to do, and although it's time consuming, it'll no doubt work. I'm just going to install the 350, get it to pass inspection.... then when I get back, just swap back to the Big Block.

I'm kicking myself bro, as I should have thought of this BEFORE I swapped to a Big Block....

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

You're absolutely right, it's definitely not worth it. It would have given a real exotic look, especially with the addition of my removed TPI unit....but it's too much work right now (especially after what I just went through with the 454 exhaust), and the last thing I want to happen is to have the car just 'sit' there, while I figure out what to do next....

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

You know you bring up a good point! I didn't even check for accessory holes on the sides of the heads....

But to be honest, I have a set of aftermarket brackets for my alternator and power steering pump (the A/C and Smog Pump were removed), that don't even get bolted to the heads....

level

my engines not doing to bad for a 383 desktop dyno says 460@4000. I didn't want to go through all the custom work with a big block.

RB83L69

I would recommend against it.

Those heads sell (sold?) for about $4000 IIRC. So he's willing to trade you .... something ..... that is very rare and cost $4000, for something that is quite commonplace, and sells for less than that. Sounds to me like there's something important about those heads that he hasn't told you yet, that's making him not want them anymore. Without being REAL familiar with them, who knows what that might be.... could be something you can't get any where but Arao, or maybe even can't get anywhere except somebody who already has a set of those heads but didn't lose his one of whatever it is, and you're totally fornicated without it.

I'd suggest going to the junkyard and getting some smog-legal motor to stick in your car; and swapping your other motor back in after it passes.

500 ft-lbs of torque at some RPM or other is obligatory for a 454. It would be ill if it was incapable of doing that.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

Just get more generous with your cash at the inspection place. Find a young guy near closing time. Try and catch him when his boss is gone. They'll do it.

Screw swapping your whole damn engine for a simple inspection.

speedingpenguin

iTrader: (1)

sorry i'm new to all this, how much is a generous tip?
cause i havnt gotten the car yet, but i'm not quite sure how it will do with inspections...lol

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

You have to take into consideration where I obtained the 454. Sure.... any 454 has the capability of achieving over 500lb ft of torque, but this is after modifying the heads, CARB etc...

My 454 came out of a 1972 Monte Carlo, and although she was rated at just about 400lb ft of torque (stock), Horsepower was still relatively low.... and there was definitely major room for the improvement of flow.

The bottom half was not bored (it didn't need it), but we went with TRW slugs. The heads came off, were worked, and the valvetrain was seriously modified (thanks goes out to Crane for their assistance)!

Most Big Blocks and/or Big Cubed Engines.... easily make these torque figures (I agree with you there), but with this set-up, hitting 500lb ft of torque at only 2500 RPM, and practically keeping it throught the RPM band up until 5500 RPM, well.... you know what I'm saying!

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

If those are torque figures, that's an awesome build! What do you run in the 1/4 mile?

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

It's tough over here bro (Tri-State area), and everything is monitored.... even with the smaller garages. I offered $100 to the guy, but without hesitation, he wouldn't do it (but then again.... he might of thought that I was a cop, you never know these days).

RB83L69

I don't know where you are; but I recall from when I lived in So Cal, they had video cameras set up in the e-check shops, that the state could look in on any time they wanted to.... they catch a shop taking a bribe, it's instant loss of the e-check license (license to print money), a huge fine, and maybe even jail time. Not worth $100 for all that risk.

You'd be better off figuring out a way to make the car pass legitimately.

MrDude_1

i just wanted to add this...


you put thoes huge cyl heads on your SBC and it will look just as stock as the big block thats in there now..

it wont help matters any.

demonchild

$100????

most of my friends that need help passing start the offer at two bills...