Felony head vs Pond Head FE

[Barry_R]

The below are gross generalities, and there are lots of situations where a different approach is either acceptable or desired.

I use my head for many builds where it is appropriate for the desired power and the budget.  On builds targeting 400-450 HP I will still use an Edelbrock piece. 

On builds targeting 450-500 I will use either a lightly modified Edelbrock or my head "as cast'

On builds targeting 500-600 I will generally use my head as cast. 

On stuff trying for 600 to 700+ I will use either a CNC ported Edelbrock, a CNC ported version of my casting, or an as cast Blue Thunder head.  Each has advantages or reasons to use beyond simple flow.  The CNC ported version of mine and the Blue Thunder will both outperform my iteration of a CNC ported Edelbrock, and have comparable flow numbers, but the BT has a much larger port cross section and volume.

I generally believe that my head design is better than the basic Edelbrock design in both unported and CNC ported versions.  I feel that it has greater potential than other medium riser foot print heads that would be compatible with unwelded cast intakes. Stating that it is "superior" to all E heads ported would be inaccurate considering the radical modifications possible with a Pro-Port version of the Edelbrock casting.  Iterations of the Edelbrock head that meet or exceed the performance potential of my CNC'd casting are likely to require substantial modification to both rocker systems and manifolds.

[fekbmax]

Grandma makes better chicken pastry but maa makes better pecan pie .. 
I'm just grateful that there are so many more chooses for us Fe guys.
I think that having all these heads in play, and a hand full (not alto) of great porter's and some good cnc programs to boot , as long as the en gin builder and head porter have good communication and understanding of the expectations then there will continue to be some serious power Fe's. 
Thanks for all you guys hard work and dedication to keeping the Fe in serious power and keeping it alive.

[BigBlockFE]

For example, right now your out of your head, if you needed a 600 hp street 482 you could get those numbers with a ported E head, what would be the disadvantges by not using your head, is it just the extra machining involved to get the E head to perform like your as stock or slightly worked on, for example keith craft racing will only use the E head with there machining, do they not like or use your head even if it does out perform, it sees a no brainer everyone would want to use the best or what would appear to be just as good with less head work involved...most builders I have spoke with will use all heads if need be, (brands)...

[blykins]

The biggest plus with Barry's head or the BBM head is that you can pull one out of the box and already be 30-40 cfm over what an Edelbrock head will do, plus you gain the modern combustion chamber shapes. 

Keith will use several different FE heads (Pond, Edelbrock, etc.) but he has a lot of equity in his CNC head machine and the programs that he has written/modified over the years for the Edelbrock head.  You'll also see that he has various "stages" of head work, 1-3, that differ in both pricing and performance. 

[Barry_R]

As Brent said - each builder has his own strategy and approach.  My head was designed as a bolt on piece targeting the 500-600 HP range engine, with the addition of modern chamber design and a relocated spark plug. 

We were working to bring the basic head up to current standards in terms of efficiency, flow at a modest cross section and volume for torque and transient response, and fuel tolerance.  Using a pair of modified Edelbrocks will get you similar peak power numbers but at the cost of other variables, and trading labor/machining time for the more expensive castings.

At 600HP you are reaching the design limits in an as cast condition and modification becomes needed to move significantly beyond that.  I have had multiple builds using the as cast head in the 560-600 ranges but none significantly above that.  In order to move further porting is necessary, and the altered internal water jackets required by my casting's port layout provide added room for port profiles not possible with the normal Edelbrock casting.

At one point I provided Keith a pair of castings for evaluation,  After several weeks he decided to return them.  They had not been altered or even had a valve job done, so I can only assume that they decided to continue with the Edelbrock based program they'd already developed rather than try to work with something different.

[lovehamr]

At one point I provided Keith a pair of castings for evaluation,  After several weeks he decided to return them.  They had not been altered or even had a valve job done, so I can only assume that they decided to continue with the Edelbrock based program they'd already developed rather than try to work with something different.

Am I the only one who finds that bizarre?  Why would he do that?

[jayb]

Probably to see what the competition is up to...

[Barry_R]

I provided them to him free so that he could evaluate them.  As Brent noted, he has a lot of time and effort invested into his Edelbrock based program, which obviously works well for him, and simply decided to continue on with that.  A perfectly rational business decision.

[BigBlockFE]

It's always a business decision...

[cjshaker]

You have to make good business decisions....if you want to stay in business.

Fortunately for us, there are lots of guys here making bad business decisions, which provides us with several aftermarket parts to choose from

[fekbmax]

Personally I'm grateful for ALL the heads available.  The old Dove heads, had a set of Canadian Cj's that yes it took almost two years to get but a excellent head porter here worked them for over a month and they turned out great. The blue thunder heads and a the variations they had (have). Edelbrock heads for helping Fe's get opened up to more performance parts. Pond for doing his thing and Barry for the felony heads and BBM for there contributions. 
I just believe that we are lucky to have choices and I think the hand full of great Fe head porters can help make any of these heads exceptional. . Idk if you guys are knocking the Edelbrock head or what but back in the pro nostalgia days a many of these heads (as well as a few Dove heads) properly worked and a good cnc program pushed 3200 - 3500 lb cars to near mid 8's. 15 years later we have more chooses and more engine builders pushing the envelope.  With all these guys working so hard and all the R n D I'm just waiting for that first 2400 lb 6 second Fe.   

[whitea62.7t]

That would be awesome to see