Felony head vs Pond Head FE

[BigBlockFE]

How do these heads differ if left unported, are there any advantages either one has over the other for a street 482FE for example, price seems to be similar...

[ScotiaFE]

The FElony and BBM head for that matter are decades a head (pun intended) of the Pond.
Way better chamber.
The Pond is a copy of an old Ford racing head of decades past.
The Pond chamber is a machined 88cc's or there about's.
The new modern chamber of the FElony and BBM is a very good looking heart shape with good swirl
promoting in and out much more efficiently.
Allowing much better control of the burn and less chance of detonation.
Also requiring less timing input.
Everything is better.
Perfect for a hard working 482.
Full discloser: I own a set of BBM's and think they are one of the best heads you can buy today.

[blykins]

I have never used an as-cast pond head, but the cnc pond heads work really well.  The chambers aren't that dinosaur-ish, we usually run 32-34 deg total with them.  Jon Kaase designed the exhaust ports and IMO they have one of the best exhaust port profiles out there.

If I were doing an as-cast head, I'd use a bbm or survival head.  If going for a ported head, I'd go Survival or Pond.

[Joe-JDC]

The Pond head unported is similar to a stock Ford head, with a very poor exhaust port flow.  I have ported them, and it takes a lot of work to get the exhaust to perform well.  Once it is ported correctly, it does flow well.  The Survival head is much better in the unported form.  JMO, but I have ported them both, and the Survival exhaust has a much better exhaust short turn, better short turn on the intake, and better combustion chamber design.  Joe-JDC.

[blykins]

We've messed with some bbms here and had them going pretty good with some hand porting.  Didn't get to try them on an engine yet, but were getting 330/240 with some port filling and pretty small valves. 

Didn't get to flow Barry's as-cast head but it did really well with the 445 that I built several weeks back.

I really like Barry's cnc head, it flowed around 370 here on the intake side, but fell short on the exhaust side.  I've had several sets of pond cnc heads that approached 260 cfm on exhaust flow.  Again, I haven't seen an as-cast pond, but Keith has a really nice cnc program for them. 

[BigBlockFE]

Pond, BBM, and Felony all look about the same price...I guess the felony and bbm are on top, and then a ported or ed head...

[blykins]

How much hp are you wanting?

[BigBlockFE]

550-600 hp...

[blykins]

You can make 550 hp with any of the 3 as-cast heads that we've discussing.  If you're aiming for something closer to the 600 mark, you'll need a CNC Pond, or Barry's CNC head.

[ScotiaFE]

You can make 550 hp with any of the 3 as-cast heads that we've discussing.  If you're aiming for something closer to the 600 mark, you'll need a CNC Pond, or Barry's CNC head.

Well Blair Patrick made 574 HP on a well built 396 using basically stock BBM's,
so if you put the same head on a 482 ci short block with enough stick I'm pretty sure you'll get your 600 HP.
Barry is out of stock of Felony heads according to him and will be for some time.
Blair Patrick also builds the BBM heads for the company. Can't go wrong there.

http://bearblockmotors.com/performance-updates/

[BigBlockFE]

Cast in Korea (BBM), I would rather buy Barrys head and keep the money in the USA, not doubting the quality, but if pond can cast his blocks,heads in the usa and barry can cast his heads in the usa, why cant BBM do it, I love the USA, I understand some part if not most are cast in other countries but if I have a choice I going with a USA company...

[BigBlockFE]

What is cheaper and ed head ported or barrys head stock, seeing they will make the same power...you have to port the ed head to make it flow like barrys head???

[Joe-JDC]

Are you serious about buying a set of heads?  If so, then you need to contact Barry about pricing, and Keith Craft,  Robert Pond, BBM, Blair Patrick, Brent Lykins and ask them for their pricing on their heads.  That will give you the answers without causing some of us to have to pick or choose sides on what works best.  Any of the aluminum  heads that are available now are much better than used iron heads, and porting will bring parity in horsepower potential from whichever one you choose.  The cost will be different, and therein lies the rub by you asking in an open forum.  JMO, but call the vendor and get your information first hand.  I like them all, have ported them all professionally, and I don't want to pick a favorite and offend anyone who I have to deal with on a regular basis.   Joe-JDC.

[fekbmax]

I agree with you Joe-JDC. There's only a hand full of great FE head porters out there including the ones you mentioned and a few more and all of them do good work. Everyone has a preference I'm sure but I think its best to talk to these guys about what your wanting and what your looking for. The more info you can give them the more they can do for you on your budget.  Time frame and availability is another thing, especially if your wanting something more radical. I can tell you that from my openion Blair Patrick and Jim Kuntz are just plane good people and will take the time and as much as it takes to sit and talk to you about what you need.

[BigBlockFE]

Got all the info I need, I like to use these forums to learn what the general public uses and likes, everyone on here has been more than nice and I am aware of all the builders out there and there work, if they want to pm a price that's fine, either way, thanks for the info, and for parts being made in asia, if I can buy in the usa I will that is not to knock any ones product...