Cylinder head dyno shoot out

Something like a stroker with flat tops would be suitable for testing all kinds of other heads/intakes/carbs/cams/headers, etc
……..down the road.

I agree with NT in that it would be pretty easy to end up making endless pulls if you were chasing every horsepower out of every combo………and I understand the merit to the “minimalistic” approach Eric W. took with his cam challenge.

If it were my test(and it was my $$$ funding it), I’d do it my way……..
Which would more or less be an effort to keep the number of runs, at least for the head swap portion, to a reasonable number(for example, the lash would be sorted out with the first set of heads, and duplicated for the subsequent heads).

I also agree that what it is you’re trying to answer will be your guide on how to go about it.

To simplify the fitment when swapping heads, I’d have all the SM style heads be outfitted with the same length valves, and stipulate minimal head milling be done.
The goal being to make the same intake and pushrods be able to be used for all of those heads.

I’d also try and guess which set of SM style heads were best, and test them last.
Then use those for some intake & spacer testing after the heads have been tested.