[Skippy597]

I will be running a set of speed master heads and was curious who on here has run then as equipped and who has bothered installing/replacing the valves, etc with higher quality parts. Just curious how many people have ran them out of box and if you've had any issues? I'm doing a basic clean up and port match on mine along with a nicer valve job but debating about upgrading the parts. I have to do the springs either way for a hydraulic roller and butler has a complete kit for $700ish with Ferrera valves.
Thanks

[tom s]

My shop just did a fresh valve job as the factory was not up to par.Ran the stock springs and valves with 150 on the seats.So far no issue with just street driving.Tom

[Skippy597]

Originally Posted by tom s

My shop just did a fresh valve job as the factory was not up to par.Ran the stock springs and valves with 150 on the seats.So far no issue with just street driving.Tom

Thanks Tom, and how long have you had them on your car?

[performerrpm]

i bought 2 sets, but i bought mine bare.

1 set i sent in and had randy repp put his house brand valves in and comp solid roller springs to .770 lift.

the 2nd set i had some slightly used efelbrock valves i sent with him to set up for hydraulic roller, i think the springs used was howards to 700 lift

i havent ran mine yet but he told me the valves are actualy decent as shipped by speedmaster but the retainers and keepers are questionable...and spring pressures are ok initially but no testing so far after bein ran. im glad i ordered mine bare...ill most likely try to get 1 more set if these do ok...mine are the 310cfm version

[tom s]

The engine has been running for a few months.Tom

[Skippy597]

Well, I might just do they springs and valve job then. I should have bought them bare as well but oh well. I'm not trying to have a super high flowing head, I just want it to be efficient, so removing the ledges and some light cleanup around the intake and the valve seats and I'll be good to go.

[performerrpm]

Originally Posted by Skippy597

Well, I might just do they springs and valve job then. I should have bought them bare as well but oh well. I'm not trying to have a super high flowing head, I just want it to be efficient, so removing the ledges and some light cleanup around the intake and the valve seats and I'll be good to go.

for the money you cant really beat them in my opinion....machine works expensive around here and 6x4s bring 300 at the machine shop as cores. if you catch a bf sell the price is about the same.


lol thats how i justified it anyhow

[Skippy597]

Yeah I bought this set on black Friday last year and have gone back in forth in my head if I should just buy Eddy's or Kauffman's. I do really like Kauffman's stuff and have his new intake and timing cover and if I ever do upgrade it would be his products. However, I have never ported heads or cleaned them up so I am much less intimidated by the speed masters for trying my hand at it. I really like doing things myself so I'm excited to clean them up and I have seen enough great reviews for the Pontiac heads that I'm not worried about them spontaneously combusting. I do understand people wanting to support American made however I am not made of money, and the cost savings allowed me to buy the KRE dual quad intake.

Also nothing is permanent, I'll probably go through the engine again in a few years time and may upgrade then.

[b-man]

https://youtu.be/TRgHfJr0TFs?si=SqcplxkGhplOxcRl

A video outlining basic port cleanup. He’s doing a new VW performance head cast in Brazil but the basic work he’s doing can be applied to any head.

He shows you exactly what tools to use and clearly explains what he’s doing.

It’s not all that hard to do.

[performerrpm]

ive got some edelbrocks, out of the box i think the speedmaster casting is nicer looking than the old chamber edelbrocks, and equal looking to the cnc chambers like the d ports i have....i think the hardware is where edelbrock wins.....still yet, i bought my 310 sm heads for 1400 per set. the solid roller set up ran 1k ish....me supplying the valves i had an additional 750 in the hydraulic rler set....cant get out of the box edelbrocks for that kinda coin...ill take any decent aluminum pontiac head offered if its not just complete garbage.

lol i think tbe heads is leadt of my cars problems

[Skippy597]

Originally Posted by b-man

https://youtu.be/TRgHfJr0TFs?si=SqcplxkGhplOxcRl

A video outlining basic port cleanup. He’s doing a new VW performance head cast in Brazil but the basic work he’s doing can be applied to any head.

He shows you exactly what tools to use and clearly explains what he’s doing.

It’s not all that hard to do.

Thanks B-man!

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Skippy597

Thanks B-man!

My pleasure.

Brian the guy doing the video is a pretty accomplished VW engine builder, very meticulous and detail oriented. He’s currently building a 140 hp 2276 for my 1966 VW bus pickup truck to replace the 50 hp 1600.

[chuckies76ta]

Originally Posted by performerrpm

i bought 2 sets, but i bought mine bare.

1 set i sent in and had randy repp put his house brand valves in and comp solid roller springs to .770 lift.

the 2nd set i had some slightly used efelbrock valves i sent with him to set up for hydraulic roller, i think the springs used was howards to 700 lift

i havent ran mine yet but he told me the valves are actualy decent as shipped by speedmaster but the retainers and keepers are questionable...and spring pressures are ok initially but no testing so far after bein ran. im glad i ordered mine bare...ill most likely try to get 1 more set if these do ok...mine are the 310cfm version

Any chance to post the part number on the Howards springs? Thanks.

[performerrpm]

Originally Posted by chuckies76ta

Any chance to post the part number on the Howards springs? Thanks.

HC98445-16

[chuckies76ta]

Thank you I appreciate the info. I have same set here that I need to check on my spring tester.

[blueghoast]

My SM heads have been in service for a couple years now with out any
problems and they are over 600 hp motors.
Track and street miles still going strong.

GT

[johnta1]

B-man. kinda off topic, do you know a Bill Rathbun?

[b-man]

Originally Posted by johnta1

B-man. kinda off topic, do you know a Bill Rathbun?

No I do not.

[Skippy597]

Originally Posted by blueghoast

My SM heads have been in service for a couple years now with out any
problems and they are over 600 hp motors.
Track and street miles still going strong.

GT

Thanks ghoast, did you buy bare or assembled?

[blueghoast]

Originally Posted by Skippy597

Thanks ghoast, did you buy bare or assembled?

I've bought them both ways. First two sets were complete and the other two
were bare. The last set I haven't done yet and I got 2,19-1.77 valves for
them. Hope to do them up this summer.

GT