Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

I plan to build a bbc that makes an honest 600 hp on pump gas. This would be a drag only application. I have a 454 2bolt block that needs machining. I might be wrong, but I've always thought short stroke engines last longer and generally cause less problems.
So my questions are:
1. How many cubes do I need to make 600 hp at roughly 6500 rpm?
2. Will a Brodix RR-O head be better than a rectangular port? Summit has a good price on RR's at the moment. I want stock ex port location.
3. Is there another head that would fit my needs better that the RR?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Given that there are many variables that need to be taken into consideration before anyone can make an exact head recommendation, yes, the brodix rr ovals will make a very good low rpm low maintenance drag only engine. They, along with the afr ovals, have flow rates comparable to many high flow/low velocity rectangular heads. Plus there's enough material for porting during a later upgrade. You'll do far better with the ovals in your situation. As far as cubes needed for 600 hp at 6500 rpm, again, that comes down to parts combination. There's many a mild 454 out there knocking on 600's door. Look at mark jones' engines, just insane power from iron oval headed engines.

pro comp 320cc heads for 800 bucks, xe284 cam will get you 550hp with mild compression on a 454.

I won't consider a Pro-Comp anything in my engines. I've heard to many horror stories about them, Eagle, Scat, Cat etc.

The concern about the oval RR is the Brodix recommendation of only 454ci max.

Ron I have to agree with enigma. A couple of years ago I built a real street engine for a guy. BBC 460ci 10.25-1 comp AFR cnc 315s single 750 dominator Hyd roller cam & it made 580 @ 6200 with no real tuning. So with a solid roller you'd be there & a 496+ would more than guarantee it

Get the race-rite oval ports heads with the $200? cnc chamber option. Brodix will mill the heads to any chamber volume down to 112cc (I think) and the flow goes up quite a bit. I built a 454 (.030" over) last year with these heads and a performer rpm intake w/ a BLP 960 square bore and a 231*/239* hydraulic roller w/ 10.25:1 compression. It made 570hp/600 lb/ft on 91 octane. I say get the cnc option with the small chambers because then you can use an off-the-shelf SRP piston and be in that 10.5:1 range w/o trouble and it doesn't really cost any more than just milling the heads seperately. These heads can also be ordered as part of a top-end combo kit that includes single plane intake, gaskets, valve covers, fasteners,etc. for a reasonable amount of $$$. If you are interested in these heads, call Randy Torvinen @ Torvinen's Machine I think he can do a little better pricing wise. The phone number is 218-564-5385

That being said, I think the AFR cnc oval port heads would make a little bit better power especially in a race application but they do cost more.

We built a 440 ci BBC with the RRBBO's. It made 545hp, 575ft lbs. Pump gas engine w/hydraulic roller Mother Thumper cam, CP Bullet pistons, Compstar 2.100 journal rods, easy engine to build. I don't think 600 would be a problem with a little more cam and cubes. We sell a lot of them to go on 502 crate engines.
You can call Mark @ Brodix (479-394-1075) to get more info on them.TB

Ron Gusack wrote:I plan to build a bbc that makes an honest 600 hp on pump gas. This would be a drag only application. I have a 454 2bolt block that needs machining. I might be wrong, but I've always thought short stroke engines last longer and generally cause less problems.
So my questions are:
1. How many cubes do I need to make 600 hp at roughly 6500 rpm?
2. Will a Brodix RR-O head be better than a rectangular port? Summit has a good price on RR's at the moment. I want stock ex port location.
3. Is there another head that would fit my needs better that the RR?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

The 454 with the RR/O is fully capable of 600+ without much trouble at all
Damn nice user friendly head, stock ex port location, stock length head bolts, decent spring for .700 lift standard, 115 or 119cc chambers same price
Will go to the very low 100's as an option if needed
I would highly recommend you opt for the CNC chamber option if you are not going to have any porting done.

Oh,, and you don't have to buy it from Summit to get the special price either
PM me & I will be glad to help

What about these ?

http://www.j-performance.com/index.php? ... &Itemid=64

ProFiler 290cc Intake Runner Big Block Chevy 118cc CNC Combustion Chamber


On sale for $1995.00 + shipping
Kit contents:

1 pr. complete assembled ProFiler 290 24-degree heads 118cc CNC-ported combustion chambers, Dr J's 5 angle valve job, and bowl blend

Stainless steel undercut 2.25 or 2.30" x 1.88" valves

Double springs for HYD roller cams up to .650" lift (other springs also available)

10-degree chrome molly retainers

New 10-degree steel locks & Viton rubber seals

Steel spring cups

7/16" screw-in rocker arm studs

3/8" guide plates

Oval port design promotes high intake port velocity for killer torque output
Available in 290cc
End pads drilled and tapped for accessories, standard stud girdles and rockers fit!
Accepts up to 1.625 Springs


Flow Numbers Dr J's Performance ProFiler 290cc intake runner 118cc chamber

Intake 2.25 valve Exhaust 1.88


.100 82 cfm
.200 163 cfm
.300 236 cfm
.400 295 cfm
.500 335 cfm
.600 355 cfm
.700 358 cfm

exhaust 2"X 3" PIPE
.100 69 cfm
.200 117 cfm
.300 160 cfm
.400 193 cfm
.500 224 cfm
.600 251 cfm
.700 268 cfm

Unbeatable unique casting technology along with unbeatable cylinder head design gives us the "Pro-Filer" BBC Standard Port 24 degree replacement cylinder head.



Technical Details

Material: A356 Primary Ingot Aluminum
Valve Angle: 24 Degree (rolled two degrees)
Intake Ports: 290cc, 320cc
Intake Port Design - Modified Oval Port
Intake Port Flow: 290cc = 365cfm @.800, 320cc = 395cfm @.800
Combustion Chamber - 119cc, can be reduced to 105cc (.005 per cc flat milling, .007 per cc angle milling)
Valve Spring Pocket - 1.625"
Bore Spacing: Standard BBC 4.840
Exhaust Valve - 1.880" - 1.900 / +.100 long
Intake Valve - 2.225" - 2.300" / +.250 long
Deck Thickness - Approx 1/2" deck for Nitrous and Blown applications
Spark Plugs - Use Gasketed 3/4" Reach Plugs NGK R5671A-7 or colder
Valve Guides: Bronze Alloy .562" OD
Valve Train - Uses Stock or Most Aftermarket Rocker Systems (shaft mount recommended)
Valve Seats - Ductile Steel
Accessories - Heads drilled and taped for standard accessories (alternator)

Product Accessory Details

Intake Manifold: Pro-Filer Sniper Single Plane or Edelebrock RPM Air gap Rectangle Port

Intake Gasket: Special Pro-Filer Cometic PN IR250060KF
Valve Cover Gasket: Stock BBC
Exhaust Gasket: Stock BBC
Head Gasket: 4.54 bore Cometic C5433 or Fel-Pro 1017
Head Gasket: 4.60 bore Cometic C5434 or Fel-Pro 1057
Valve Covers - Standard BBC Bolt Pattern Pro-Filer PN 191
Rockers - Standard BBC or shaft rockers (T & D, Jesel)
Pistons: Most 24 Degree Aftermarket
Valve Springs - Up to 1.670" Dia
Valve Spring Installed Height: Determined by Valve Height When Ordered
Head Bolts - brodicx or dart style
















Dr J's Performance Competition Ported SBC Hurricane

The Profiler's have some impressive numbers from Dr J. Their numbers are about the same as the RR's when you look at the Profiler site. My goal is to get away from race gas and still have the car able to run 10.0's in bad air. I think I can achieve this by converting to E-85 and using a 118 chambered head with my current short block. I don't think I'd be able to use the Profiler head with these pistons though. The 118 cc head would get me down to 11.66:1. Maybe I could get away with some 93 pump gas. I guess I have to research more. By the time I get done researching all this, the sale on RR's will be off.

I wouldn't rush the decision simply because of the "sale". Although I've never had any dealings with him, after reading this forum for years.....I gather that mike Lewis at wolfplace can always get you the best price around and seems to be very articulate and knowledgable. But I would simply go with the rr's or afr's. Great numbers for oval heads, enough material to grow into, and if you ever decide to make your race car a street cruiser....it'll already have the perfect head for that as well. Kind of a diverse little.......enigma.....they are. You can't go wrong with either of them.