EDELBROCK TOP END KIT?

[dcoland70RR]

Hello All,

So I have my 383 factory warranty VIN block in my 1970 roadrunner that runs great with no issues or smoke or obvious signs of any problems so I truly believe and wish to leave it alone original like condition for now. But I have purchased items here and there with interest to beef it up eventually. So I have a complete Edelbrock top end kit with aluminum heads, intake and cam all matching the kit suggestions. Has anyone installed one of these kits on their Mopar 383/440?

If so what rockers did you use that hopefully do not cost 700 dollars?

Which Headers did you use if you have a B body 70 Roadrunner like me?

Thanks

GO MOPAR, a I am going to the mopar nationals for first time in August! GO MOPAR

 

[1967coronet440]

can’t speak to how well the kit will work but As info Incase you’re not aware heads still need to go to machine shop for once over. As far as rockers does Edelbrock suggest a certain rocker for their kit? 440 source and Hughes engines both make nice rocker sets that are affordable.

 

[dcoland70RR]

Thanks for the info, paper work with heads say ready to bolt on out of box, wonder why it does not say anything about heads needing to be machined. Going to call and find out, Thanks

 

[Don Frelier]

It's not a bad deal, but the cam is pretty average from what I've read. I've heard the smaller Summit cam is great for the price.

 

[PeteBell68]

Thanks for the info, paper work with heads say ready to bolt on out of box, wonder why it does not say anything about heads needing to be machined. Going to call and find out, Thanks

Always check your heads when you buy them . I bought done AFR heads for a car and they still needed that . Cheap insurance might not need machining but all internal parts need to be checked and sized to your specific build .

 

[super-bee_ski]

I use only TTI headers
Edelbrock heads are A-OK
However, not needed.
Typically a good 906 head with a little work will make you happy
You bought them, so they are yours now
I picked up a 67 GTX that has the 440 Source Heads and Roller Set Up
Check into "440 Source"
Ask the Big Boys, leapt, Budnicks, Mike Gaines, Hemi Itis, many many others...

Remember: Our esteemed colleague Budnicks ALWAYS says: "fill your library before you fill your garage"

 

[chargervert]

I bought an Edelbrock top end kit for my 472 Hemi engine. The quality of the parts looks great. The kit was not cheap though. I had to buy the push rods, rocker arm adjustment nuts,and roller lifters separately. It was over 5 grand for everything. I am using the rocker arms that came with my Mopar Performance crate Hemi engine.

 

[rumblefish360]

Thanks for the info, paper work with heads say ready to bolt on out of box, wonder why it does not say anything about heads needing to be machined. Going to call and find out, Thanks

They say ready to go OOTB because they think there machining is that good but it isn’t always that good. For a small fee, your machinist will verify and correct it if it need be.

Do so remember that Edelbrock is machining thousands of heads. Your machinist is doing only a few very carefully for a select few, not the hoards and masses.

Taking your head to your machinist is cheap insurance against the possible Substandard work done on the heads which will help insure that it runs and operates correctly as you hope it to run. Failure to double check a strangers work from many miles away is a gamble that could result in erratic idle, running and overall disappointing performance that would require new gaskets, down time and major hassle of engine disassembly since the engine is now in the car with headers bolted on in what I will assume is a nicely painted engine bay.

All that assembly work only to break it back down in a car is a royal pain in the back side.
Not to mention the major disappointment of everything that comes from after the initial start up when you realize that cheap insurance of a machinist advice was well worth the expense was ignored.

Double the down time, frustration, the dark cloud over your head adding to the bad Attitude and disappointment you now have. I’d rather throw away a few bucks
For a clean bill of health than face the potential problems of installing possible sub par parts.

You do this now with dentist & doctor visits.
You do this now with your cars yearly inspections. When the tech finds a bad tie rod, blown out bushings, it’s better to fix it before the road trip right?

Enjoy your build and final results.
Make sure the doc gave a clean bill of health.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Rumblefish is 100 percent "spot on"

 

[dart4forte]

They say ready to go OOTB because they think there machining is that good but it isn’t always that good. For a small fee, your machinist will verify and correct it if it need be.

Do so remember that Edelbrock is machining thousands of heads. Your machinist is doing only a few very carefully for a select few, not the hoards and masses.

Taking your head to your machinist is cheap insurance against the possible Substandard work done on the heads which will help insure that it runs and operates correctly as you hope it to run. Failure to double check a strangers work from many miles away is a gamble that could result in erratic idle, running and overall disappointing performance that would require new gaskets, down time and major hassle of engine disassembly since the engine is now in the car with headers bolted on in what I will assume is a nicely painted engine bay.

All that assembly work only to break it back down in a car is a royal pain in the back side.
Not to mention the major disappointment of everything that comes from after the initial start up when you realize that cheap insurance of a machinist advice was well worth the expense was ignored.

Double the down time, frustration, the dark cloud over your head adding to the bad Attitude and disappointment you now have. I’d rather throw away a few bucks
For a clean bill of health than face the potential problems of installing possible sub par parts.

You do this now with dentist & doctor visits.
You do this now with your cars yearly inspections. When the tech finds a bad tie rod, blown out bushings, it’s better to fix it before the road trip right?

Enjoy your build and final results.
Make sure the doc gave a clean bill of health.

Yeah, installing those heads right out of the box is like a dentist putting on a crown before he does root canal

 

[beanhead]

If so what rockers did you use that hopefully do not cost 700 dollars?

Aftermarket/adjustable rockers are nice to have but unnecessary, for your planned upgrades. Save that money for headers (and a new carb? I didn't see where you mentioned that..but you'll be adding quite a bit of breathing capacity with heads/cam/intake/exhaust)

 

[69 GTX]

My question would be is your car a auto or manual trans, and what rear end ratio do you have. These are key things to take into account when choosing a cam. Also the intended use. Street, street/strip, strip, or autocross. The last thing you want to do s take a well behaved car and put too big of a cam in and make it miserable to drive.

 

[dart4forte]

Isn't there two kits that Edelbrock sells. Performer and Performer RPM?

 

[dcoland70RR]

EXCELLENT INFO ALL. I greatly appreciate all the information to strengthen my brain knowledge. I got the performer RPM heads and whole top end kit a year ago as an impulse buy. I did not do my homework on all that was needed, my bad, learn from your past. So I am not putting anything on it this year because my 383 with factory 4 speed console car runs great. Disappointed to see that if I beef up the engine in winter edelbrock says you need headers with 2 inch diameter pipes as minimum. Most of those headers are 600-800. WOW. But my fault for not doing homework. I might just sell the new parts if this factory car just keeps running so well. Because the more I drive it and love it even more I keep thinking, WHY TAKE SOMETHING APART THAT RUNS WELL AND RELIABLE? Time will tell but it is awesome to be a member to this site because many people like you teach me so much every time I ask a question.

Thanks ALL

 

[beanhead]

Yep, without adding better flowing carburetion and exhaust it's like cramming a bigger patty onto the same small buns...the grease and ketchup just run down your arm and the pickles and onions squeeze out onto your nice clean shirt...

 

[5.7 hemi]

I like cramming big things into small buns!

Just thought I’d beat RC before he said it.

 

[beanhead]

 

[BBishere2]

The Edelbrock kit makes some respectable numbers and would be a good addition for a good cruiser and dependable set up that you wouldn’t have to spend your weekends working on the car.

It really depends on what you want to do with it, how much time you want to spend working on it. Want all the hp you can get out of it or do you want a car with good performance, squeal the tires every once in awhile and drive in to a car show?

 

[super-bee_ski]

My question would be is your car a auto or manual trans, and what rear end ratio do you have. These are key things to take into account when choosing a cam. Also the intended use. Street, street/strip, strip, or autocross. The last thing you want to do s take a well behaved car and put too big of a cam in and make it miserable to drive.

As 69 GTX says:
Cam Companies need to know:
1. Vehicle weight
2. Auto/manual trans
3. Power steering?
4. Power brakes?
5. Engine size
6. Bore
7. Stroke
8. Rod length
9. Head (Stock or aftermarket)
10. Head runner
11. Valve size
12. Intended usage, ie; Street, Street & Strip, Race
13. RPM range
14. Idle quality

But, I'm like you...
I'm upgrading one of my cars
I going Roller set-up

Keep us posted, what company
What products etc....

 

[super-bee_ski]

I like cramming big things into small buns!

Just thought I’d beat RC before he said it.

I thought this was RC?
"RC junior"
Oh, that's BAD...BAD...!!!

Sorry 5.7!