[Skip Fix]

I think the weight alone on the aluminum heads you will be pleased, not to mention flow.

[JLMounce]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

I think the weight alone on the aluminum heads you will be pleased, not to mention flow.

I'm actually worried that the front end might creep up a bit because of it. I may need to swap to the hotchkis small block springs if that's the case. I have it sitting right where I want it with the iron heads.



Less weight on the nose will certainly help handling dynamics though, so worth it over all.

[Drag Star Le Mans]

Originally Posted by JLMounce

I'm actually worried that the front end might creep up a bit because of it. I may need to swap to the hotchkis small block springs if that's the case. I have it sitting right where I want it with the iron heads.



Less weight on the nose will certainly help handling dynamics though, so worth it over all.

Damn that looks good!!!

[JLMounce]

Thanks! It's been a labor but she's coming together nicely.

[Nicks67GTO]

Depending on your front spring rate I don't think it will move up much. If you have 525 lb springs it takes 525 lbs to compress the spring 1". The heads will shave 50 lbs off. So maybe .10"?

[HWYSTR455]

I run GW springs on my LeMans, when I went to aluminum heads the ride height didn't change. If that helps at all.

.

[Skip Fix]

Much easier on the back putting them on the motor though!

And it is a nice look!

[JLMounce]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I run GW springs on my LeMans, when I went to aluminum heads the ride height didn't change. If that helps at all.

.

Good to know, thanks.

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Much easier on the back putting them on the motor though!

And it is a nice look!

Yeah, I'm kind of dreading pulling the stock pieces off the engine.

[Skip Fix]

I have some ported 6Xs I was going to use on the new 455 for the 81 TA. Decent flow I got them with the 455. After straining to toss them on the flow bench, then tossing some stone stock E heads on it my back was much happier and the untouched E heads flowed better to boot!

[tpssonic]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I run GW springs on my LeMans, when I went to aluminum heads the ride height didn't change. If that helps at all.

.

Agreed. I was concerned that the aluminim heads, intake, and water pump would affect ride height- they didn't.

[tom s]

I dont know about alu but when I changed out my short deck engine for a std deck engine it made a HUGE diff in the handling in my 69 bird.Tom

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by tom s

I dont know about alu but when I changed out my short deck engine for a std deck engine it made a HUGE diff in the handling in my 69 bird.Tom

Ok, excuse my ignorance, what is a short deck and standard deck engine difference? In a Pontiac?

What made the diff in handling, weight?

.

[tom s]

The short deck was a RA V 303 based engine.The 301 is also a short deck,was lighter.Was amazed how much oversteer the std deck engine put in the car.Tom

[JLMounce]

Originally Posted by tom s

The short deck was a RA V 303 based engine.The 301 is also a short deck,was lighter.Was amazed how much oversteer the std deck engine put in the car.Tom

Makes sense, you added weight to the front which can help front end tracktion and it also pulled the balance more towards the front which will create a tail-happy car as well.

My car pushes tremendously with it's current setup. With the trutrac differential, you can effectively throttle steer it though. The staggered wheel fitment is hindering that, so I could use some extra rear wheel rate. I'll address that with adjustable bars later on. Getting the car reliable is first before that however.

[HWYSTR455]

May just need higher rate front springs.

Oversteer is normally due to too small a front bar, or too large a rear. I see so many use an 1 1/16 front bar and a 1 rear bar, and usually, that's not an optimum combo. Think it's because some add a rear bar later, choose a 1", and keep the original front bar.

Pushing is understeer, and most typical drivers prefer that. Most. Some of the common causes I see are too narrow/too tall a front tire, raised front end, low tire psi in the front, and sometimes too much toe in on the alignment.

I kind of figured the 'short deck' comment was in reference to the 303, but didn't want to sound stupid if I was wrong! Heh-heh!

What's the difference in weight?

.

[tom s]

I never weighed either.Had a front end guy work on it and he got it much better.Has the 69 TA front sway bar,don't remember what size rear.Tom