dredre08

iTrader: (2)

Ok guys I posted before but know one seems to comment on my old thread so i decided to create a new thread, basically I wanted a little info on the 217 sbc heads, I've done reasearch on them but have only came up with them being off a crate engine...... a guy on Craigslist is selling a set and was wondering were they worth buying to replace the crappy 624 heads that are on my 355...... The motor is rebuilt with a erson cam(224/224 duration) (465/465 lift) and flat top piston, its tpi for now but the guys on the board said that tpi is not good for this cam, so I'm going to get a hsr in January, the guy says that there is some rust on them(ill try to put the pics up he sent me) and that they have had a valve job but my questions are.......

What are the specs of these heads?

Are these a good set of replacement heads?

If I wanted to port them how much that something like that cost and what exactly do you gain from that.

Artisan

I am not familier with the 217 head. I am guessing that either is not a commonly used performance head or isn't a great choice. It seems like the cost of doing a stock head is so high that unless you can do most of the work yourself that an aftermarket set of heads would be the best route. I was able to find a nice set of Dart Iron eagles, professionally ported, with a fresh valve job, the right springs, new 7/16 studs, guideplates and Howards aluminum 1.6 rocker arms for $600. I have seen several sets of the stock aluminum L98 heads needing to be worked in that price range. I have seen several of the cast Iron TPI heads in the $200 to $300 dollar range. The problem is buy the time you get the right springs on them, port them, redo a valve job, you have a lot of time and nearly that much money for a lesser flowing head. If you want to stay with a stock type casting the Vortec is probably the best bang for the buck. If you stay with TPI its probably best to find a set of the corvette L98's.
All I am saying is look at all your options but be sure to figure all your costs in before you buy something.