Sb2.2 Cly Heads

[85Camaro]

I am looking into buying a set of these heads

Any thoughts on using these heads for a nitrous motor?

I don't see a lot of people running them in drag racing, is anyone running these heads and if so how do you like them. Thanks

[Chris Uratchko]

In my opinion, it won't be long before that head, could very well be considered the absolute BEST SBC cylinder head ever developed.... period.... if we're not there already. There are drag race programs for this head available at many places now and the numbers are just killer.... especially for a single 4 barrel deal. These heads were designed specifically around a single 4... all the runners aim towards the carb, and this makes for a MUCH better manifold than if the heads had straight runners... or if the runners were all at one angle like a splayed valve head(it's suited for a sheetmetal deal)....

There are lots of nitrous engines out there with SB2's and that make great power.... the chamber is real efficient, plug position is awesome.... I wouldn't hesitate for a moment, especially given the deals out there right now.... I've seen whole packages for 2grand.... and yeah, some of it is used up, but a lot of it is GOOD stuff!!

[85Camaro]

Thanks Chris for the fast responce, anything to watch out for when purchasing these heads used or questions I should be asking? Thanks again

[mike gerlach]

I'm going to try a set on a big (450 ci) small block.

a couple of thing I found out and/or would recommend.

make sure you get the sb2.2 and not the sb2 head

get the intake that belongs to the heads.
beautifully matched port work

Stay away from the restrictor plate heads and especially the intake

Most have 7mm stem intake valves, if you decide to go with a set have them changed to the older but more durable 5/16

be sure to drill the block for the spark plug cooling (heads have this feature, but standard (non-sb2) blocks need deck drilled.

Watch the rockers you'll need a set that will work with the block you're using. (sb2 vs. standard) and try to get the rockers with the heads. (also their pre-fitted height wise etc) also, ratio some are over 2.0:1

Usually available in 38 and 48 cc chambers, any you will need specific pistons for the sb2.2 valve lay out along with a sb2.2 specific cam and (in most cases) double offset lifters

Center valley pans are very hard to find used so plan on spending 200.00 for a new gm part

everything bought new (valley pan, head studs, etc) are big $$$

very few people know very much about these heads (if your not from the south) so you may need to do some research on your own.

I would recommend Archie Clinton (on ebay all the time with these...look up sb2.2 heads) he has a ton of inventory and is a great guy to deal with. (HEADS, VALVES, CAMS, PISTONS, ETC)

try to get part that were used by one of the "big" names in Nextel cup. (they're all marked) they typically only have one or two races one them. The lower budget teams use the parts longer and hence less life is left in them.

So I'm told (by a very respectable source (cup engine builder))the cam guru for the sb2.2 is Bullet cams

They like a 2" spacer if you can fit one

hope this helps some.

oh and the flow numbers...mine were still flowing past .800 lift (very impressive numbers..) and the ports are not huge just very efficient, like previously posted. You have a clear line of sight to every valve from the plenum of the intake.

mike

[85Camaro]

Thanks Mike I will post some info about the heads I am looking at in a min

[85Camaro]

The heads are completely cnc ported with Titanium valves, Titanium retainers, new super 7 locks, also the have PSI springs, Jesel J2K shaft rocker . They are 285cc intake runners with 38cc chambers. He he also has valley pan so I will pick that up if I decide to buy them. going to call him and check on the rocker ratio and spring rates

[mike gerlach]

Really you can't go wrong with these heads. Yes they will cost more for some of the specialty parts, but still far superior to any standard sbc head.

who are you buying from?

good luck
mike

[Chris Uratchko]

The problem with the rockers, is that a 2.0 rocker isn't going to work with anything roller camshaft related..... it's just too much ratio. Remembre most of those ratios are for flat tappet camshafts when they are above 2.0..... 1.9 is about max for an agressive drag race roller camshaft deal.

The only issue with the Cup stuff is that it's developed for small inch engines and the min. cross section of the intake port is likely too small for a big inch engine...... that's partly why you don't see folks with used cup heads making big steam..... the heads need a rework to make 'big' power...... they're a good start though and should have room for improvement down the road.

[mike gerlach]

yeah, and I know the single carb intake pulls the flow numbers down pretty much too.

Maybe a nice sheet metal intake with two carbs would help.

I don't understand how the heads developed for small ci engine(358) at 9500+rpm correlates to bigger cid at lower rpm. maybe Chris could lend an explanation.

I do know that through my research the GM guys were getting killed by the fords in torque.. off the corners (head sure likes like ford head doesn't it?) Apparently the 18* stuff would flow almost as well, but the actual torque was down compared to the sb2.2. That's why NASCAR allowed the change.

mike

[85Camaro]

Well there are a few sets out there in mind So I'm not sure who I will be purchasing them from. I guess it depends on what pakage I can benifit the most from. I will be running a cast intake with single carb to keep the car more open to some classes. I also plan on having the heads looked over and worked if need be before putting them on the short block.