I'm planning to replace the J (junk) heads on my 70 model 455 short block. I'm choosing new aluminum heads instead of spending money on old and heavy cast iron heads. Goal is to make 450hp or 1hp per cu in. Cam choice will be Lunati's VooDoo hydraulic roller 221/229 549/565 but with a 110 LSA on a 106 ICL. I will still be using my tripower setup with stock intake (with some port matching). From what I have been reading the Speedmasters will flow about 245 and the Edelbrocks will do about 285 out of the box. So that means the Speedmasters can support about 490hp and the Edelbrocks about 570hp. But my concern is can the factory tripower intake flow enough to make my 1hp/cu in. I can't find any flow numbers on the tripower. What's everyones thoughts on this?
The Edelbrocks are about twice as much as the Speedmasters also.

 

If anyone would have flow numbers for the L-69, it would be Mike Richards. I think you are to concerned with "numbers". Build it like you want, with some parts selection help and enjoy. I doubt you will know if you have 425 HP or 450 HP or 475 HP, unless you are going to run it on a Dyno.
Edelbrock did the development, Speedmaster copied an older version.

I would still have either set of heads checked by someone that is knowledgeable. Just remember......Bratwursts costs twice as much as "Bar S" hot dogs.

 

I daily drive 450hp @ 4100 lbs and I love that much hp. My 455 with the J heads feels like about 300hp. Guess I'm shooting for a seat of the pants feeling, not an arbitrary number.
I wish Edelbrock heads came standard with 10* locks though.

 

This shows how hard it is to get 1hp/cu in

 

Yes, they do make it hard to get 1 HP/CI. Personally, I wouldn't let them boys gas up my riding lawnmower.

 

X2.
Yeah, in that video they mention part of the problem was a pin hole in the hose for the vacuum advance. Uhhh, the vacuum advance doesn’t work at WOT.
Out of the box the Edelbrocks are superior to the SM’s. And the flow numbers you listed aren’t correct. Drop about 15-20 off both. I know, I helped design the Edelbrock head.

 

Do you like supporting America or China?

 

I've never seen any flow numbers on the tri carb setup but the total CFM on the tri carbs are about 900. It's the intake that really hurts the tri carb system. I've had talks with guys who know and raced both 66 & 67 OAI cars and the consensus is the 4V cars are faster. The tri carbs are really neat to look at and nothing beats the groan of them but performance wise is up for debate.

 

Those guys are morons. With a 10.5:1 455, a cam, intake, and out of the box Edelbrocks, you have to try not to make 500.

Those clowns had ported heads and couldn't even do that.

 

I think the cam was too small. They said it was a hydraulic roller at the start of the video but later installed flat tappet lifters. Also misstated the intake valve size, said it was 2.19 which I doubt. They should have caught the timing not advancing early on with the timing light. But the video does illustrate that a dyno is a tuning tool.

 

^^^^^^
Correct, lots of mistakes in that video. I believe that was when Joe was having his “substance” problems.
Here’s what I do know. I’ve done a couple 455 builds recently with the new Edelbrock head. Both made over 500hp and 560ish tq with a Performer intake, 850 carb, 10.0:1 and a decent roller.
Hope this helps.

 

What do you like as hydraulic roller?

 

My own grinds.

 

I was trying to ask for your opinion on lift, duration and LSA for a 455

 

Depends on use and overall combination.