Edelbrock or Stock with Howell?

[DurangoGW]

I have an 85 GW 360V8 and I had Howell FI installed with Edelbrock Performer intake. Now one of my heads is leaking from the soft plug. I'm thinking of either replacing with stock and just drive and enjoy versus getting Edelbrock 60119 heads. Would the higher performance heads be worth enough driveability or performance gains? What benefits would I feel in the way the car drives? Should I consider any other additions if I go with Edelbrock? I'd appreciate some feedback from folks who have some experience with this setup. (I haven't posted much because the last two years have been disrupted by health/family issues and having to relocate to the Pacific Northwest) Thanks.

[rocklaurence]

IMO, the Edelbrock heads would be wasted on a stock cam and iron exhaust manifolds. Unless your plan on upgrading the top end of the motor, stick with an OEM head replacement.

[rang-a-stang]

IMO, the Edelbrock heads would be wasted on a stock cam and iron exhaust manifolds. Unless your plan on upgrading the top end of the motor, stick with an OEM head replacement.

+1
I don't think the Edelbrock heads flow much more than a port matched stock head. With the Edelbrocks, you shave weight and get all new parts but the performance is not really worth it unless you have headers and a cam.

[MysticRob]

IMO, the Edelbrock heads would be wasted on a stock cam and iron exhaust manifolds. Unless your plan on upgrading the top end of the motor, stick with an OEM head replacement.

I've read the same thing elsewhere that the factory cam is a serious limiting factor. Someone with real-world experience may be able to clarify here, but I do have doubts whether the stock exhaust manifolds would be much of a hindrance for anything still quite a bit under 300hp, which would likely be OP'S outcome with just heads, intake, and TBI.

That said, I agree with doing the cam, and would also do roller rockers, lifters, and pushrods while I'm in there. This is my eventual plan, as I'm partial to keeping the 360 in mine but building it up to get the pig moving.

[babywag]

On a stock engine edelbrock heads = HUGE waste of $
Compression with stock pistons would net zero gains.

If head is simply leaking from a passage plug, and motor runs
decent just replace all the plugs.

Way more bang for $ building a set of stock cast heads anyway.
Likely half the cost of edelbrock(s)

[babywag]

I've read the same thing elsewhere that the factory cam is a serious limiting factor. Someone with real-world experience may be able to clarify here, but I do have doubts whether the stock exhaust manifolds would be much of a hindrance for anything still quite a bit under 300hp, which would likely be OP'S outcome with just heads, intake, and TBI.

That said, I agree with doing the cam, and would also do roller rockers, lifters, and pushrods while I'm in there. This is my eventual plan, as I'm partial to keeping the 360 in mine but building it up to get the pig moving.

Unless plan on racing the thing rollers are another waste $ imho.
All you'll get is a little hp @WOT and more valvetrain noise.
These things aren't race cars, most never see above 5k...
Spend your money on things that'll make a difference.

For cost of better pistons/machine work/head redo or slap on a pair of blingy heads and $$ valvetrain for no gains.

[DurangoGW]

Thanks!

I appreciate the feedback. If I could do the work myself, I would do full modding of the stock motor. But I'm having to pay for the work, so budget and trust in the work comes into play. I'm on the Olympic Peninsula in WA. now. So far I haven't heard of anybody within 2 or 3 hours that I'd trust to do mod work.

[DurangoGW]

On a stock engine edelbrock heads = HUGE waste of $
Compression with stock pistons would net zero gains.

If head is simply leaking from a passage plug, and motor runs
decent just replace all the plugs.

Way more bang for $ building a set of stock cast heads anyway.
Likely half the cost of edelbrock(s)

Interesting..the shop never offered the option to just replace passage plugs. Just replacing the head.

[babywag]

if we're talking about same thing...
YES very odd they would replace a cylinder head vs. an easy/cheap fix like replacing some plugs.

[wiley-moeracing]

They may be talking about removing the head so they can replace the plugs that are facing the firewall?