Need to find strong and high quality yet lightweight cylinder heads for your small-block Chevy but don’t know which ones will be the best options?
![DNA Motoring LEPOW-038 Aluminum Bare Angled Cylinder Head [For Chevy SBC 302/327/350/383/400]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41zJT53vELL._SL160_.jpg)
Well, don’t worry because we are here to help you out with this problem by providing you with a list of the 7 best aluminum heads for small block Chevy, along with a detailed review for each of them.
We are also going to be providing you with a buying guide so that you can be aware of all the qualities you need to look out for when buying aluminum heads.
Page Contents
Top Aluminum Heads For Small Block Chevy
1. Assault Racing SBC20064 SC-3/8 200cc Cylinder Heads
The first type of aluminum heads that we know you will love for your small-block Chevy are Assault Racing SBC20064 SC-3/8 200cc Cylinder Heads. These amazing heads are made up of high-quality, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. Because of this, not only are they extremely strong and durable, but they are also quite lightweight, due to which they do not weigh down your car and therefore, make it faster.
Furthermore, these cylinder heads also feature an extremely well-designed 64CC combustion chamber, because of which the flame is able to thrive quite well. Also, these cylinder heads have hardened seats which are quite useful for those who like to drive a lot as they don’t wear out quickly. This further increases the durability of these cylinder heads.
Upon purchasing these aluminum cylinder heads, you also have the option to choose between ⅜ and 7/16 studs. And so you can pick one that better suits your needs. Similarly, you also have an option to choose between two different plug options, straight and angle. Lastly, the Assault Racing products also have great customer service, and so, if you have any issue with the product, they will help you fix it in no time.
- Angle and straight plug options
- Aircraft quality Aluminum Alloy
- Well built combustion chamber
- 2 different studs options
- Great customer service
- Expensive
And so, the Assault Racing SBC20064 SC-3/8 200cc Cylinder Heads make our list for the 7 best aluminum heads for small block Chevy because of their durable, aircraft-quality aluminum build. The heads have hardened seats which further make them more durable. Furthermore, they have a great 64CC combustion chamber and come in two different studs and plug options.
2. DNA Motoring CYLH-SBC-350 Aluminum Bare Cylinder Head
If you are looking for well-performing yet affordable aluminum heads, then the DNA Motoring CYLH-SBC-350 Aluminum Bare Cylinder Heads might be the perfect choice for you. First of all, we found these aluminum heads quite quick and easy to assemble, and so even if you do not have a lot of experience with aluminum heads, you won’t find these difficult to put together.
Also, these cylinder heads are made up of high-grade aluminum, which makes them extremely durable while being lightweight enough to not weigh down your car and make it slower. They also have hardened seats as well as bronze valve guides that further increase the durability of these cylinder heads and make sure that they last you quite a long time.
Another great feature of these cylinder heads is the advanced air port. Because of this, there is an increased airflow which increases the efficiency. Furthermore, they have a great 68CC combustion chamber which is also another highly contributing factor in the improved performance of these cylinder heads.
- Low-cost
- High-grade Aluminum
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
- Hardened seats
- Advanced air port
- Pushrods not centered
- Requires taller rocker arm studs
The DNA Motoring CYLH-SBC-350 Aluminum Bare Cylinder Heads are extremely durable with a high-grade aluminum build, hardened seats, and bronze valve guides. Furthermore, they give a great performance due to the advanced air port and the 68CC combustion chamber. And along with all of these great qualities, the cylinder heads are quite low-cost, which is why it is no surprise why we have placed them on our list for the 7 best aluminum heads for small block Chevy.
3. Edelbrock 5089 Cylinder Head
Another great aluminum head for a small block Chevy is the Edelbrock 5089 Cylinder Head. The exceptional quality of these cylinder heads shines through their strong aluminum alloy build. And while we found out that this makes these heads a little heavy, it also makes them quite durable and long-lasting even under high-temperature environments. And so, these heads are able to increase the life expectancy of your vehicle.
Furthermore, we found these heads to be extremely easy and quite intuitive to put together and install in a small block Chevy. One of the reasons for this was the fact that the holes are perfectly aligned, and so all the components were able to fit together quite well. And so, not only does this help with the installation process, but it also helps improve the performance.
Also, the Edelbrock 5089 Cylinder Head features a great 64CC Combustion Chamber. And when you combine it with its wide valves that allow 2.02 inches of intake, you can see that it greatly increases its efficiency as it lets a large amount of air pass through. And so, because of all of this, you are able to make your Chevy more powerful and more fuel-efficient.
- High-quality aluminum alloy build
- Easy to set up
- High temperature resistant
- Accurate holes
- Great combustion chamber
- Improves car performance
- Expensive
- Doesn’t work with roller camshafts
And so, the Edelbrock 5089 Cylinder Head makes our list for the 7 best aluminum heads for small block Chevy due to its strong, durable, and temperature resistant build and easy installation. Furthermore, it features a great 64CC combustion chamber and wide valves for increased airflow. All of this makes these aluminum cylinder heads long-lasting and extremely well-performing.
4. Auto Dynasty Aluminum Bare Cylinder Head
If you are looking for a great set of replacement aluminum heads for your small-block Chevy that is well-performing as well as extremely low-cost, then you will love the Auto Dynasty Aluminum Bare Cylinder Head. One of the reasons we highly recommend these cylinder heads is that they are quite versatile and compatible with a wide range of Chevy models. And so, if you have a Chevy of any model, then chances are that this set of cylinder heads will be compatible with it.
Also, these heads are made up of high-grade aluminum, which makes them quite strong as well as lightweight. Furthermore, they have hardened seats and bronze valve guides which increases their durability even more. Because of this, we have found them to be quite reliable as they are able to last quite a long time even with extensive use.
Also, they have an advanced air port design that increases and improves airflow. Along with that, these cylinder heads feature a 68CC combustion chamber that further helps improve the overall performance of your vehicle. And yet, with all of these great qualities, these aluminum heads cost a fraction of many good-quality ones out there.
- Low-cost
- Versatile
- High-grade aluminum
- Lightweight
- Advanced port design
- Great combustion
- Pushrod holes not centered properly
- Manual not included
Therefore when it comes to a budget-friendly and well-performing set of cylinder heads, one of our top choices is the Auto Dynasty Aluminum Bare Cylinder Head. This is due to its features like an advanced port and 68CC combustion chamber that help improve the overall performance of your small block Chevy. Furthermore, they are made up of high-grade aluminum, have hardened seats and bronze valves, all of which make them quite durable. And despite all of these great qualities, it is still quite low-cost and affordable.
5. DEMOTOR PERFORMANCE Aluminum Bare Cylinder Head
The next set of great aluminum heads on our list is the DEMOTOR PERFORMANCE Aluminum Bare Cylinder Head. One of the reasons why we love these heads is because of their versatility. This is because these aluminum cylinder heads are not only compatible with Chevrolets but also many other cars like Monte Carlo, Hot Rods, Street Rods, and so on.
Also, the heads are extremely durable as they are made up of high-grade Aluminum, which, despite being lightweight, is quite tough and strong. And they also have bronze valve guides and hardened seats which further increase the durability of these cylinder heads and make them more long-lasting. Because of this, once you have installed them into your car, you won’t have to worry about replacing them for a long time.
Also, these aluminum heads have an advanced port design because of which there is a greater airflow which helps increase the performance of your car. The 64CC combustion chamber is another contributing factor in the increased performance as it retains stock compression. And even though these cylinder heads have all these great qualities, they are still among the more affordable options in the market.
- Versatile
- Great airflow
- Durable
- Great combustion chamber
- Affordable
- No steam holes
And so, the DEMOTOR PERFORMANCE Aluminum Bare Cylinder Head makes our list for the 7 best aluminum heads for small block Chevy. This is because of its durable build consisting of high-grade aluminum, bronze valve guides, and hardened seats. Also, it gives a great performance due to its advanced port design and 64CC combustion chamber. Lastly, when it comes to a set of well-performing aluminum cylinder heads, this is one of the more budget-friendly options.
6. Flotek Cylinder Head (102-505)
Another great set of aluminum heads is the Flotek Cylinder Head (102-505). First of all, we found this extremely easy to install in a small block Chevy. This is because these aluminum heads come already fully assembled, due to which you don’t have to waste extra time with the assembly before the installation. Also, they have perfect hole alignment and header depth which makes the installation process quite smooth.
We also found out that this great hole alignment also means that the fit will be perfect, making the valves perfectly sealed and, therefore, spillproof. Another great advantage of using these cylinder heads is that the manufacturers have kept its design true to that of pre-1986 Chevy small block. This is why they are perfectly compatible with your small block Chevy.
The build of these cylinder heads is also quite durable as it is made up of strong aluminum, bronze intake, and exhaust guides, and hardened steel guide plates. All of this makes sure that these heads are able to withstand quite a lot of abuse and are able to last a long time. Also, as this set of aluminum cylinder heads feature a 64CC combustion chamber and have an intake of 180CC, they are sure to increase the performance of your car by quite a lot.
- Easy to install
- Great hole alignment
- Nicely sealed
- Durable build
- Great combustion
- Pre-1986 Chevy small block design
- Doesn’t work with supercharger
The Flotek Cylinder Head (102-505) is the perfect choice for your Chevy due to its pre-1986 Chevy small block design and great performance due to a 64CC combustion chamber and a 180CC intake. Also, these heads are extremely durable as they have a strong aluminum build, bronze guides, and hardened steel guide plates. And so all of this is why we have placed these heads on our list for the 7 best aluminum heads for small block Chevy.
7. DNA Motoring LEPOW-038 Aluminum Bare Angled Cylinder Head
The last item on our list for the 7 best aluminum heads for small block Chevy is the DNA Motoring LEPOW-038 Aluminum Bare Angled Cylinder Head. One of the reasons why we love these heads is because of their durable build, as they are made up of high-grade aluminum, have bronze valve guides and hardened seats. All of this makes sure that this set of cylinder heads is able to withstand constant use and high temperatures and last you a long time.
Also, these aluminum heads have an advanced port design which increases the amount of airflow in the whole thing. Furthermore, they feature a 68CC combustion chamber, which is great at retaining stock compression. And so all this helps improve the efficiency of your car and plays a big role in increasing the horsepower gain.
This set of aluminum cylinder heads is also quite versatile as it is compatible with a lot of Chevy models, which, among others, include the 302, the 327, the 250, the 383, and the 400 series. And the best part about these cylinder heads is that even though they have all these great qualities, they are still quite affordable and more budget-friendly than many options out there.
- Durable build
- Versatile
- Great combustion chamber
- Improved airflow
- Affordable
- Increased efficiency
- No manual
And so the DNA Motoring LEPOW-038 Aluminum Bare Angled Cylinder Head makes our list for the 7 best aluminum heads for small block chevy due to their versatility and durable build. Furthermore, they have amazing features like advanced port design, great combustion chamber, and so on, that help increases the power and efficiency of your car. These cylinder heads are also quite affordable and budget-friendly.
Buying Guide
When it comes to buying a good quality set of aluminum cylinder heads for a small block Chevy, there are certain things you need to take into consideration. These include:
The Build
There are a lot of reasons why so many people prefer aluminum cylinder heads over cast iron ones; one of these is that these heads are much lighter than their iron counterparts. And because of this, your car is able to go faster as it has to carry less weight now. And so, if an increase in speed is one of the reasons why you are getting aluminum heads, you need to make sure that the one that you are buying is towards the lighter side.
Furthermore, while Aluminum is a strong metal, it is not as tough as cast iron which is why you need to make sure that the cylinder heads are made up of strong aircraft-grade aluminum for ultimate durability. Also, if you plan to use your car frequently, then it is also preferred that your aluminum heads have hardened seats to make them more temperature resistant and increase their durability.
Combustion Chamber Capacity
Another important feature of cylinder heads that you need to take into consideration is the capacity of the combustion chamber. This is because it is the major factor that determines the compression in an engine. And the higher the compression is in an engine, the more efficient it will be, as due to high compression, more energy can be harvested from combustion. And so this makes an engine more fuel-efficient.
Therefore, when it comes to combustion chambers in cylinder heads, the ones with smaller capacities are preferred over larger capacities. This is because the smaller the volume inside the chamber will result in an increased compression in the engine. But this can also result in an increase in temperature, which can be damaging to the heads. This is why it is important to get one that has the perfect balance between the two.
Compatibility
Perhaps one of the most obvious things to consider when getting aluminum cylinder heads for a small block Chevy is to make sure that the ones you are getting are compatible with your car. This is because if you get a set of aluminum cylinder heads that are not compatible with your vehicle, then they will not fit properly, which will result in your money going down the drain. And so, it is important to double-check the vehicles that a set of cylinder heads is compatible with before confirming your purchase.
Air Flow
Another important factor to consider when buying a set of aluminum cylinder heads for your vehicle is the amount of air that it allows to pass through. Larger airflow increases the efficiency of a car. This is why if you are looking for a set of cylinder heads that increase efficiency, you need to get one that has large valves that have a 2.02-inch intake and 1.6-inch exhaust combination. This will allow ample air to pass through and increase the efficiency of your engine.
Price
There are a lot of aluminum heads available in the market, all of varying quality. And while it can be tempting to get a cheaper option to save money, if it is not a good quality one, it can do more harm than good. This is because these heads can have off-centered holes that would require further drilling from your side in order to have them fit during the installation process. They can also give you a bad performance or simply just not work properly.
All this can not only waste your money but bring you back to square one and in need of a better quality set of heads. This is why it is important to invest in some good quality and slightly expensive heads from the start. This is because that investment would be worthwhile as you will be not only getting well-performing heads but also ones that are sure to last you a long time. Although low-cost heads are not always bad quality, and if you buy ones from a trusted brand, then you are probably going to get decent ones.
FAQs
Are aluminum heads worth the money?
Yes, aluminum heads are worth the money. This is because if you install a good quality set of aluminum heads in your car, they can increase the efficiency of your car by quite a lot. Furthermore, aluminum cylinder heads are not only easier to install, but they are also quite easy to repair, should they get damaged in any way. Plus, as they are much lighter than other cylinder head options, they can also make your car go faster as they do not weigh it down.
What is the best Aluminum head for a small block Chevy?
There are a lot of great aluminum cylinder heads for a small block Chevy. And one such set of aluminum heads that we believe is one the best is DNA Motoring CYLH-SBC-350 Aluminum Bare Cylinder Head. This is because of its low cost, durable build, easy assembly, advanced air port, and many other great qualities.
Wrapping Up
We understand that it can be quite difficult to find the appropriate aluminum heads for a small block Chevy when you wish to replace or upgrade your existing ones. This is why we have listed above the ones we think are among the best you can find in the market. We have also provided you with a buying guide so you can get to know all the different qualities that the heads need to have so that you can get the ones that you deem the most suitable for your needs.
And from the list of aluminum heads for small block Chevy listed above, our top three pics are the following.
DNA Motoring CYLH-SBC-350 Aluminum Bare Cylinder Head. Because of its low-cost, durable build, easy assembly, and advanced air port.
Flotek Cylinder Head (102-505). For its easy installation, great hole alignment, durable build, great combustion, and pre-1986 Chevy small block design
Edelbrock 5089 Cylinder Head. Due to its durable build, easy setup, high-temperature resistance, accurate hole alignments, and great combustion chamber.
And so, when it comes to well-performing aluminum heads that are durable, easy to install, and have great combustion chambers for a small block Chevy, these are among the best in the market.
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