Dart LT1 heads
10-11-2007, 10:41 AM
#19
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,518
I'm actually waiting on a set from Dart right now... I get them a certain way from them for what we do with them so it's not like getting them from Jegs. When I talked to them last week they had castings with VJ's in them ready to rock.
Bret
10-11-2007, 08:08 PM
#22
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Goochland, Va.
Posts: 4,970
I'm actually waiting on a set from Dart right now...
10-12-2007, 07:32 AM
#24
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Elkton, Va
Posts: 568
10-13-2007, 09:02 AM
#26
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Lexington Park, Maryland, USA
Posts: 473
I'm giving these heads a try, (the bone-stock-out-of-the-box-version). Seems to me that they would be a good low $ head for a 383LT1. They come with the Comp 987 valve spring and that won't handle an aggressive cam. But I think that spring will handle a GM 846, (so that's what I put in the motor).
Possibly late this month or early next month I'll have the 383LT1 with the out-of-the-box Dart heads/846 cam running in a heavy Impala SS. I expect good performance but not amazing performance. If the heads had a NeWen valve job, porting and super nice valve springs then and only then would I expect amazing performance.
The build web site for that motor is at http://www.karl-ellwein.org/ERE6/ERE6.htm I started the motor 1 year ago and we were just waiting on the customer to decide on cylinder heads.
I do have one actual test of the Dart LT1 heads. The Darts replaced a set of mildly ported GM iron LT1 heads on a stock bottom 350LT1 with GM846 cam The car ran the same ET/MPH. No improvement. But the answer I got from that was that the Darts at least perform as well as mildly ported GM LT1 iron heads.
I do have 2 bare sets of Dart LT1's going to Phil at Ai. We are not making a big project out of it and they won't be given top priority for CNC machine time. But it will be neat to get Phil's opinion. My hunch is that the TFS heads are generally nicer for the LT1 fully ported and that the Darts will be better for the budget (out-of-the-box).
Karl
Possibly late this month or early next month I'll have the 383LT1 with the out-of-the-box Dart heads/846 cam running in a heavy Impala SS. I expect good performance but not amazing performance. If the heads had a NeWen valve job, porting and super nice valve springs then and only then would I expect amazing performance.
The build web site for that motor is at http://www.karl-ellwein.org/ERE6/ERE6.htm I started the motor 1 year ago and we were just waiting on the customer to decide on cylinder heads.
I do have one actual test of the Dart LT1 heads. The Darts replaced a set of mildly ported GM iron LT1 heads on a stock bottom 350LT1 with GM846 cam The car ran the same ET/MPH. No improvement. But the answer I got from that was that the Darts at least perform as well as mildly ported GM LT1 iron heads.
I do have 2 bare sets of Dart LT1's going to Phil at Ai. We are not making a big project out of it and they won't be given top priority for CNC machine time. But it will be neat to get Phil's opinion. My hunch is that the TFS heads are generally nicer for the LT1 fully ported and that the Darts will be better for the budget (out-of-the-box).
Karl
10-13-2007, 10:02 AM
#27
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: La.
Posts: 270
10-13-2007, 11:02 AM
#28
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 3,034
These have the option to have smaller chambers right out of the box without extensive milling correct? I know TFS wants a lot for milling and the chambers are huge to start with. Also, do these need offset rockers or will they work with stock-style valvetrain?
10-13-2007, 11:17 AM
#29
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Lexington Park, Maryland, USA
Posts: 473
It looks like Jeg's has a relationship with Dart to get other chamber sizes. That may be just their special deal. Jeg's also shows a choice of valve spring. I'm sure all of the choices are case by case and the cost will be added for the better parts and time will be needed for assembly.
My 1st 2 pair of Darts were via my normal wholesale engine builder parts supplier and that is when Dart had 20 sets on the shelf. Right now Dart is out of stock, (apparently).
Ai has turned me onto another Dart dealer that has some LT1 heads, (bare), in stock right now. Possibly more info will be available soon after I see what they have.
They do have huge pushrod holes so I'm sure any rocker will work. I'm using Probe shaft rockers (standard SBC) and they fit like a glove.
Karl
Last edited by quickSS; 10-13-2007 at 11:19 AM.
10-13-2007, 11:27 AM
#30
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 3,034
That's interesting. If they sold them that fast, maybe they will make a larger batch next run. I can't wait until I can just get a bare set and get them ported. Do you know when AI's sets will be available? They'll work with the PAC beehives, just need 8mm valves, retainers and locks, correct?