[JLMounce]

If you're scrapping the budget, you might consider waiting on a set of DCI's new heads. They aren't available for sale yet, but I think the project is starting to get close.

You'll make all the power you want with those things on either a true 455 or a stroked 400 and the round port versions are designed to look as close to original as they could get an aluminum casting.

[mgarblik]

"Budget" and SD-455 just don't go together, unfortunately. I recently put one together and I can attest to the pain of having to buy some specific SD-455 parts. Couple simple examples would be the thousands and thousands for a real SD-455 Q-jet, $600.00 for a correct SD-455 PCV system, the list is endless. Now, achieving around 400 HP from a regular 455 is pretty easy. My real SD-455 made 407 HP at the flywheel which a regular 455 can duplicate with a flat tappet cam, iron intake, Q-jet and D port heads. If you want the round port look, of course aluminum heads are an option. Your 5K budget is pretty restrictive but there are used Edelbrock, and Speedmaster heads out there. The dead giveaway on those heads is the angled spark plugs vs straight on 455-HO and SD-455 heads. If you really, really wanted the looks, Edelbrock or Speedmaster heads could be welded up and re-tapped for straight plugs. Probably give up 5-8 HP with the conversion and lighten your wallet by $1000.00 or so. But it can be done.

[sdbob]

I priced a set of Kauffman round ports early last year very reasonable ready to bolt on. If I remember price then was about $2500.00.

[67Lemons]

Originally Posted by sdbob

I priced a set of Kauffman round ports early last year very reasonable ready to bolt on. If I remember price then was about $2500.00.

They’ve gone up a little but still a great value vs Edelbrock IMO

[P@blo]

Originally Posted by JLMounce

If you're scrapping the budget, you might consider waiting on a set of DCI's new heads. They aren't available for sale yet, but I think the project is starting to get close.

You'll make all the power you want with those things on either a true 455 or a stroked 400 and the round port versions are designed to look as close to original as they could get an aluminum casting.

JL, any detals on the new DCI head offerings? There has been talk of cast steel heads for some time but they never came to be.