Well, as of right now, we all know there is no such thing as aftermarket heads for our nailheads.....yet-
Northwest Speed Equipment in Lake Oswego, Oregon will have some available by the end of the year or early 2006....2.02 intake & 1.70 or 1.75 exhaust with redesigned exhaust chamber design for better flow. They wont fit the headers from TA performance, but you will be able to buy the custom flanges and headers from NW Speed Equipment.
Cost? Around $3500 not including the headers.
Have any more questions call Marty at (503) 697-0500, I checked out there shop.these guys are TRUE Buick nailhead NUTS!
We've been following the stories behind the aftermarket alloy heads and the aftermarket aluminum rockers as well. I personally have spoken with Randy (Becker), president of Harland-Sharp and he told me they had an employee or two who attempted the rockers, but sidelined it due to the design. He said it could possibly be done in a steel configuration using roller bearings, but not with the aluminum without some sacrifice in the valve cover area, which would detract from the "nailhead" design. And as for the heads, I have a set I'm working on the present time originally cast up by Buick, but they will require a tremendous amount of work to make them usable. I doubt the "aftermarkets" will ever hit the marketplace either. Of the 2 "nailheads" we're building at this time, a 426" and a 450" we feel we can get passed the issue of the rockers and they won't really be a necessity. The alloy heads destined to go on the 2nd motor will merely be a "novelty" item. Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
PS The production costs of the rockers, if they can even be done, would limit the amount of sales needed to recoup the investment. In other words, I doubt enough units would eventually be sold, especially in the $1000.00/$2000.00 price range. And as I said above, we'll be able build around them, and when the valve covers are in place no one will know the difference.
Last edited by GOSFAST; 06-28-2005 at 08:22 AM.
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