Highest flowing sbm heads?

@volaredon You are correct on how much an engine can consume and part of it is the intake track combined with camshaft. While the 302 heads, in stock form, are not much to talk about it is actually what it is they’re capable of for what they are. This is where everybody seems to get confused and disillusioned.

302 vs other 273/318 heads is a point of argument. Chrysler MP said the 302 is the go to head and while it was available new at the time made it the best bet when starting from scratch. That’s against using an older head possibly needing more work. How each of these heads ports out, I don’t know.

Then of course, there’s a step up to a 340/360 head. Which can be a draw back with its larger runners and chambers. How this larger head can be better is more leaning to a race engine rather than the grocery getter. And so on up the ladder we go.

I don’t think the 302 head is garbage but more misunderstood and mis used with improper execution expectations and lack of experience.

As cast, all the 273/318 heads flow in the same area. Some will sight flow differences even though the same differences can be found in the same casting of the same head and yes, even the same year. The bottom line on cylinder head use for a mild hop up is just to simply use what you have to the best advantage possible. If you can find out the flow numbers of what ever head your going to run, this will help in camshaft selection.

I’m sure your future heads will be stock minus the outlined work of flash and bump clean up with a nice valve job, but the head flow numbers would help. Knowing where the flow of the head tops out will allow you to at least look for and choose a cam that lifts the valve up enough to take advantage of the capability of the head.

I myself like to take advantage of this to a degree based on what the duties of the engine will be. For a simple hop up, if the head flows good until .500, I’ll try for a lift that gets there but it not need be at .500 or go beyond it.

For a mild street strip, as close as possible, on a race car, the lift will be (or at least try) as high and higher than the max flow rate lift point.

All in all, the 318 will respond very well with the same ideas for any other engine. Have fun and the best of wishes to you.