I figured I’d just start a new thread.
I just got word yesterday that Edelbrock plans to unveil the new small block head at both SEMA and PRI.
They’ll look the same as previous Edelbrock/Olds heads to the naked eye, but they ARE the same one I tested 2-3 years ago.
I would expect availability to be early 2025, if not sooner.
As I’ve mentioned many times before, these will be a game changer for the small block Olds community. It seems the wait may finally be over.
Thanks guys.

 

That's awesome! Thanks for the update and thanks for supporting the Olds community!

 

Collecting all the loose change around the house for a set. A set along with the roller cam should make the PIA 4L80E swap worthwhile.

 

How do the flow numbers compare to the big block head?

 

Let’s just say they’re pretty good.😉

 

Excellent! Probably need to remind everyone (especially me) of the actual differences. Just port shape? Valve size? Smaller chamber, right?

 

68cc chamber, 2.07/1.68 valves. Runner size is basically the same as the previous Gen II head.

 

Hi Mark, how will this head compare to a procomp head if they were both just "cleaned up"? I'm asking for let's say a 450hp/450tq SBO build to about the low 6000s RPM. Would they be pretty close or would the new Ebrocks have some benefits over and above the procomps? Specifically this would be for my 374 build I've chatted with you a few times about. Right now I'm running ported 6s, HSD intake, & 9.57 CR but considering upgrading to procomps or Ebrocks going to 10.5ish CR and either switching to RPM or having the HSD "Frankenstiened" to work with the BB heads. From our previous chats you seemed to think the procomps might be a better alternative for my build vs the regular Ebrocks but curious how you think these SB Ebrocks would compare.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

-Joe

 

This new SB head will light years ahead of the Procomps.

 

OK sorry can you provide any details/info on that comparison? Is it light years better on the flow and port shape? Other things? I'm just trying to understand all the benefits of these new heads for a build like mine. I believe these are the basic break downs of each.

Procomps 188ccs 77 ccs, 2.07/1.68
SB Ebrocks 218ccs 68 ccs 2.07/1.68

Is that 218 cc # correct for the new SB heads?

-Joe

 

Where’d you get the 218 for these heads?
Everything you have there is incorrect.
Procomps NEVER had 77cc chambers, more like 82.. And their runners vary in size.
BB Edelbrocks are 77 and 218.
SB’s will be about 68 and 198.
Previous Edelbrocks were advertised at 188, they were more like 195+.
Thanks.

 

OK thanks for confirming all that. The 218 ccs shows on Ebrock's website for the BB heads only. If you pull up the 60129 and 60125 head on the website and click on "more information" you'll see lots of details including that 218 #. I thought the new SB heads would be the same but glad to hear they are about 198.

-Joe

 

I did a 358 build with the procomp heads milled to 64CC to give me 9.7 compression and looking at Marks pull on his test mule with those new heads 68CC and 9.2 compression and the procomps produced better numbers, to me it looked like an even comparison parts wise, but I am just guessing and I honestly don't have any real facts. I don't see how there light years ahead looking at it from a number aspect. With either head I doubt you would just bolt them on without having them looked at anyways. Obviously the new heads will be way better out of the box untouched but is the cost worth it to you? Ive seen iron heads builds worked over out perform my numbers so no matter what way you go, if you do some work to them it will be amazing build.

 

I don’t have all your build specs or dyno sheet in front of me, but of the box they’re a huge upgrade vs the Procomps. Put the two side by side and you’ll see.
I’m trying to redo my mule with more cam and compression. I believe that’s where they’ll really shine.
Other things to consider, you’ll need to change the springs no matter what, they’re shyt.
And you won’t have to mill the Edelbrocks a mile to get them down to where you need them.
Plus most will be going from irons to these or other aluminums, not from aluminums to aluminums.

 

I absolutely agree Mark, they are a way better design and with the same compression they would probably pull better all day long, after you do a test having them the same compression I would love to see what they could do after your CC program on them

 

Yeah, should be a nice upgrade, especially over my #6 heads. I will be going from 9.5 to 1 with the 204/214 Edelbrock cam to 9.4 to and a 218/218 roller cam. Will have to do a compression test before and after. See what octane I can get away with. Now to put aside the $3500 Canadian🤑🤔😬

 

That will wake it up sucks paying Canadian, we have to do our part and help Jagmeet out with a Rolex.

 

Yeah, it is rough. I still believe in Socialism, just need someone competent in charge in our country. My Wife would not be alive unless we had top of the line private insurance and I certainly wouldn't be able to buy heads, despite their much cheaper cost in the USA, unless the insurance covered everything. Price out a Stem Cell Transplant, not talking the theraputic type either. A G body member got a set of the 455 heads a few months ago from Summit. I believe they were $3600+ to Calgary Alberta, so mine will be similar being next door in Saskatchewan. Either way pretty pumped to get a set.

 

and his BMW!!

 

Would these new heads be preferred for the 403 (trans am owners mainly) or big block ones better? Any ideas on issues with fuel pump clearances?

 

I’m guessing you haven’t followed the evolution of these heads.
The TA 403 guys were exactly what the head was originally targeted for. And yes the fuel pump will fit now.

 

What pistons are in the 403? The RobMc fuel pump was very tight on the new BBO heads. It will be interesting to see if the lower deck Olds has issues with even stock style pumps clearing.

 

Mine didn't fit without doing some clearancing on both the pump and the head. Hopefully they've used the time since the BBO heads were released to incorporate some lessons learned into the SBO design!

 

Thanks. No, first I've heard of them as I swapped in a 455 and never looked back. Nice to have more options now. Assume would help keep the 403 cooler too..

 

Most pumps will fit, even on a small block. This is a 403 with a TSP pump.

 

I was replying specifically to the RobbMC pump combo. Insufficient clearance in the recess.

 

I gotcha but I would venture to say most wouldn’t need to run those. The TSP had no problem supplying enough fuel for 450+hp.

 

I don't know how SEMA works - do companies hold back releases for some of the later days in the show? The heads aren't listed in the Edelbrock new product brochure.

https://edelbrock-files-v1.s3.amazon...s-Brochure.pdf

I hope that doesn't mean they won't be released.

 

Hopefully it was just missed. I do see an Edelbrock Pro Flow 4 EFI kit for Oldsmobile V8's.

 

I’ll be in the Edelbrock booth at the PRI so they better be there!😉

 

Electronics only. It says to ‘an existing EFI manifold”. That would tell me they have an EFI Style dist available as well, which as you know, Holley has had for years.

 

Do those Edelbrock just have a generic tune like the terrible one in the universal Holley Terminator X Max I bought, or is more thought put into them, being application specific? We will see, hopefully Edelbrock actually have a set of these heads on hand at the show. At least they didn't tell you yo bring your set for the show, which is a positive sign.

 

A couple friends are at SEMA today. who is the best guy to talk with at the Edelbrock booth about the small block heads? they want to see the heads…I’ll pass it on

 

Most of the base tunes for most any system really aren’t necessarily brand specific, but rather more ci and cam specific.

 

True enough, just curious if it is one generic tune, across all makes, as the base tune. Hopefully the $200 Holley fuel pressure sensor smartens up my initial lean issue. Also curious, what WOT and part throttle timing did the new SBO heads prefer?

 

Curious if they are being released early next year or?

 

It’s here, strike up the band!! Ready to order!

 

Nice!!! I will be getting a set for my 374. I'll be contacting you.

-Joe

 

Just be prepared. I think it comes with its own tube of lube for this. The price of aluminum is supposed to be skyrocketing after the first of the year. Hopefully not, but according to some investment analysts...they don't care about Edelbrock heads, but they do care about aluminum products and companies as investments. There's supposed to be some sort of trade fee manipulation on aluminum in January so the prices might get stupid. Just keep an eye out. Here's hoping they're wrong.

 

When you get a chance, PM me a price. Super work as always.