When you are driving your car, you’ll need the engine to work smoothly without any error. The combustion chamber of the engine is where the air and fuel burn. It is a crucial area, and the cylinder head makes sure it remains sealed. If you want to achieve the best driving performance from your car engine, you should use the best SBC cast iron heads.
In the automobile industry, you don’t have to look around much for standard-quality cylinder heads. However, you can not invest in any random products without knowing the outcome. Hence, we have conducted thorough research in this field to select some of the best SBC heads for you.
If you don’t have enough time to go through the whole list, you can check our quick recommendation as well. In our opinion, the JEGS Small Block Chevy Intake Manifold is the best quality tool you can get within your budget.
Now, let’s go and check other cylinder heads on this list.
Top 5 Best SBC Cast Iron Heads Reviews [New Update]
1. JEGS Small Block Chevy Intake Manifold
Highlighted Features:
- Enhance engine horsepower and performance
- Can work well with aftermarket square bore 4150 carbs
- Fits various Chevrolet Vortec and gm cast iron cylinder heads
- Ideal for street or mild race applications
- Cast aluminum construction
- Durable and light frame
- Compatible with late-model alternator, water neck, AC, and HEI
The first entry in this best SBC cast iron head is none other than the JEGS 513002 Intake Manifold. The cast aluminum frame is lightweight but sturdy enough to provide a solid performance. This one also helps to increase the horsepower of your car for better functioning.
You can easily install the cast iron head without any outside help. These are not bolt-on cylinder heads, hence, you have to make some alterations and adjustments to make it work with your vehicle. This one is compatible with famous aftermarket non-EGR square bore 4150 carbs along with Quick Fuel, Holley, Edelbrock, and many more.
For some users, the quality control of these bolts may seem poor at first. Overall, the JEGS 513002 is an all-rounder considering the price and standard performance it delivers throughout the operation.
JEGS Intake Manifold for Small Block Video Review
2. LIMICAR Head Bolts Kit 134-3601
Highlighted Features:
- Great sealing performance
- Extraordinary cylinder heads with corrosion resistance
- Increases the engine’s lifespan
- Value for money tool
- It can endure high temperatures
- Helps the engine to perform better
Famous for its extraordinarily powerful and improved engine operation, the Limicar 134-3601 is another best aluminum head for small block chevy you can purchase right now. Built with aluminum and steel material, these cylinder bolts are round-shaped with a very light load. These cost-effective bolts make sure you get the best driving experience with your car.
To ensure structural strength, these cylinder heads are treated thermally at high pressure. The shapes of the bolts are carefully achieved to make the round, which is done with a series of cuts to create a balanced and straight element. The best part of this cylinder head is, you get pre-assembled heads that can be installed with the gaskets instantly.
The head gasket of Limicar is pressure-resistant and temperature-proof. No instruction manual is included in the package to aid you. However, due to the complex setup system, it is suggested to use professional help to install these bolts. Prior to installation, you have to clean and dry the block surface and head.
3. SBC Small Block Chevy V8 Cylinder Head Bolt Set
Highlighted Features:
- OEM-quality cylinder
- Cast iron cylinder heads without washers
- Stock Chevrolet bolt length
- 1/2” hex head
- Threads are covered with a sealant
- Built with quality material.
- Easy torque setting.
- Pretty easy to install.
- Cost-effective product.
If you are looking for a bolt kit that can increase your engine power without any trouble, the SBC V8 Cylinder Head Bolt Set from Speedway should be your go-to product. This tool kit has a total of 34 pieces of bolts, which is enough for your car engine.
Built with premium quality materials, Speedway has made sure you get the quality at an affordable price. This OEM-quality and grade-8 SBC bolt set have cheap insurance to save you from visiting the shop again. The cylinder heads are made of cast iron materials with no washer, helping the engine to last a long time.
The threads of these cylinder heads are covered with a sealant. So, you don’t have to waste your time assembling this tool. This lightweight product is easy enough to install. However, make sure it is compatible with your engine if you want the most efficient result.
4. Speedmaster PCE281.2158 Cast Iron Cylinder Head
Highlighted Features:
- Compatible with small-block Ford 389, 302, 351W
- Bare and well-organized cylinder head
- Combustion Chamber of 60 CC
- It has intake and exhaust valves
- Premium quality materials.
- Valves and springs are included.
If you don’t mind the weight and want powerful cylinder heads for your car, the Speedmaster PCE281.2158 is a great option that you can check for your next cylinder head replacement. With the combustion chamber of 59 CC, these cylinder heads make sure it remains securely closed.
This cylinder head is made of cast iron materials, making it durable and sturdy for the long run. The cylinder heads are already assembled with a natural finish, so you don’t have to spend extra time organizing them.
However, the weight might be an issue as it is a bit heavier than most other SBC cast iron heads. The cost may also seem overpriced at first glance. But if you consider the support and power it helps the engine to achieve, this one is worth the price for sure.
Speedmaster Cast Iron Cylinder Head Video Review
5. Elgin EHC99S Cylinder Head Bolt
Highlighted Features:
- Compatible with many Chevrolet cars and trucks.
- Well-built structure.
- Lighter than most cylinder bolts.
- The fastener is stud bolt type.
- Reasonably priced cylinder bolts.
- Hex-style head.
The final entry in this best SBC head is the EHC99S Cylinder Head Bolt from the Elgin brand. Although it has taken the last position on this list, this one has some really impressive qualities to satisfy you. From the price to its ability to power up the engine, the EHC99S is an unbeatable one for sure.
The cylinder bolts are built with quality materials to ensure lasting performance. The set includes bolts for dual heads that can perfectly fit with the Chevrolet passenger cars and trucks with 262 267 283 302 305 307 327 350 383 and 400 V8 engines alongside cast-iron cylinder heads.
With a high-level torque setting, you can easily install it in your car engine without much fuss. However, you shouldn’t expect these stock replacement bolts to act as the OEM ones. Hence, try not to use them with high-compression cylinder bolts and blocks.
Best SBC Cast Iron Heads Buying Guide 2024
There is always a chance of getting the wrong cylinder heads for your car. To avoid such situations, you have to check some basic features to make sure you are picking the best SBC aluminum heads for you.
- Compatibility
You can not just randomly pick cylinder heads and fit them in your engine. Always check if your selected cylinder bolts are specifically compatible with your car. The first point is to choose between iron or aluminum, as different materials expand and contract at a different rate.
To ensure the best performance of the engine, first, determine which one is best suitable for the engine block.
- Intake / Exhaust Port Volumes
Having the big-sized intake port volumes doesn’t always mean they are better for your car. Sometimes the small ones can be more suitable depending on the size of the engine. They generate more low-grade torque and hard throttle response, which is better for street applications.
Due to the extra airflow, the larger ones are more favorable for high-revving engines. Hence, compare the valve size and the stock exhaust port volume, and then choose a quality-flowing exhaust port of the right size.
- Combustion Chamber Size
To ensure the optimum efficiency of your car engine, you have to pick the proper-sized combustion chamber to increase the compression fraction. Remember to match the engine components like stroke, bore, head gasket, ring location, and deck clearance.
- Application
Before you pick the cylinder heads, you need to determine the main application you want the car engine to use. Road racing, circle track, street driving, and many more require specific types of cylinder heads in the engine. You can also alter the valve lift, duration, airflow, etc. to upgrade the performance level of the car engine.
- Price
The price of the cylinder bolts depends on the brand, model, material, etc. You can always buy inexpensive ones to suit your pocket. However, the quality of such tools matters for a safer ride. Hence, if you have enough funding and want your car to perform for a longer time, try to invest in the standard bolts rather than the cheaper ones.
- Warranty
Warranty is an important feature that you don’t want to miss. You wouldn’t want to spend a large sum of money on something that can break overnight. Hence, buy one that comes with a satisfying guarantee and refund system. Nowadays, most manufacturers are providing well-built cylinder heads backed with a warranty.
Aluminum vs. Cast Iron Cylinder Heads
As we all know, cylinder heads can be of two types. While both are useful in their own way, you have to check the fact yourself. Aluminum heads are more on the lighter side, which also comes with a low price-tag compared to the cast iron ones.
Advantages of Aluminum Heads:
- Lightweight structure for competition or drag racing
- Optimum heat tolerance to prevent detonation
- Can handle mild to high-level compression ratios
- Softer metal element for smooth machining
Advantages of Cast Iron Heads:
- Excellent strength
- Lower value than many aluminum heads
- Low to mild compression ratio
- Better combustion efficacy
The Cast Iron Cylinder Head Vs Aluminum Cylinder (Video)
Frequently Asked Questions About SBC Cast Iron Heads
Why do you need cylinder heads?
The cylinder head or bolt is a very significant part of the motor engine. It sits on the top of the engine enclosing the combustion chamber. It also provides continuous lubrication in the cylinder for smooth functioning. Hence, you have to make sure the cylinder heads are of good quality for a safe and secured car experience.
When should I replace the cylinder heads?
The condition of cylinder heads can impact the performance of your car drastically. Once the cylinder heads go bad, you should immediately change them at the first chance. Look for some common signs like the engine’s power loss, the cooling temperature in the red zone, oil drops in the cooling water, refilling oil, and water frequently, cold start, etc.
What is the best way to remove dust from cylinder heads?
For long-lasting performance, you have to take care of the bolts properly. The cleaning should be done occasionally. At first, remove the head gasket carefully and clean the cylinder head with brake cleaner. Then soak them in warm water to remove dirt particles by softening them.
This way, you will be able to clean the coolant and oil passages that are unreachable via your hands. Use compressed air to blow dry the parts.
How to Install SBC Cast Iron Heads (Video Review)
Final Words
If you think of your car as a human body, the engine would be the brain of it. The engine uses the air and fuel to pump up and run the car with speed, which acts and reacts within the combustion chamber. This chamber is a risky area and needs to be closed tightly to avoid all kinds of accidental events.
Hence, you have to make sure you are buying the absolute best SBC cast iron heads for your car. To make your choosing task trouble-free, we have included all the details, common queries, features you should check before purchasing, etc. You can just go through the checklist and compare which one fulfills your demands the most.
We hope our write-up has helped you to understand your needs. If you are interested to read about more buying guides like this one, please keep an eye on us for more updates.
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