Best Deal For Assembled SBC Heads? Skip White NKB Heads review

[@jondough4116]

Had mine about 6yrs now still running strong with never a problem...

[@markdobson7332]

We put these on the vortec 350(383 now) without any modification. Was planning on rebuilding the vortec heads but they were junk. Glad we ended up using these, all i can hear is my dad yelling at me for burning his new tires off after we put the motor in his truck😂

[@Geoduck.]

Great information looking forward to the 383! Love the price.

[@J0eBl0e]

The price on the hyd roller version with PBM valves is also $859. Looks like a hell of a deal.

[@Thumper68]

Yeah I been looking for awhile now and I’m going to be getting the assembled hydraulic roller straight plug one. These heads are literally AFR enforcer heads if you go on the skip white site and look at AFR heads they call them AFR/NKB heads

[@chrisreynolds6520]

My out of the box Assault castings with the Competition Products Head Improvement kit valves flowed identically. With a good valve job, flowed about 260 cfm. With Lloyd Elliot porting them, they went 299 cfm and 200 cfm using an Etec200 intake gasket and stock Vortec exhaust gasket for port placement and size.

[@goratgo1970]

Definitely await the 383 test with these and your choice on roller cam. Like to figure best streetable LSA. Great stuff!

[@DanielStahler-m8f]

Should be around 106 LSA

[@nelloagostini4389]

Look forward to the roller upgrade on those heads Take care

[@johnponzetti1311]

I have these heads on my 383. Love them

[@allanstevens4245]

Skip built my 406 dart engine. I made the right choice going with Skip.

[@stevejenson2161]

His engines are unique in everyway. No other engine builder puts such high end hardware in the typical street rod engines.

[@clarksgarageofbadhabits6803]

Hey Pat, thanks for another great video! I’d like to see some LS firing order roller cam testing. I’m following the vortec 350 budget build you did, but slightly different. (LS firing order cam, pre roller timing set, etc) I was going to setup my vortec heads the same way you did, but these might be worth looking into!

[@jimmy_olds]

Good stuff Pat! Skip White has decently priced big block Chevy heads too

[@stevejenson2161]

Yes he sure doe's. His Bravo BBC heads are incredible. Have ran several sets for years and have had zero problems. The hardware he uses in them is first class.

[@CarsandCats]

I bought assembled Dart Iron Eagle heads. Within 50 miles, two broken studs and a broken damper. Tore them down and installed heights were all over the place and varied as much as .035! This caused coil bind on some springs and was the reason for the parts breakage. I changed springs & studs and set installed heights and no more problems. But I had to spend an additional $200 plus a set of head gaskets and my labor! I'll never bolt on assembled heads again.

[@cuttersperformance]

You would expect better from Dart

[@CarsandCats]

@@cuttersperformance Yep. But the great news is it taught me how to build my own heads! I never even owned a mic before that.

[@aletechservice8263]

I have used several of those castings with hardware of my choice. They've been fine up to at least 500 hp on 383's.

[@colejohnson3705]

I bought the hydraulic roller NKB heads. Did the full blend and polish on them. They do seem to be a quality set of heads. As soon as my reciprocating mass gets back from the balancer, I will find out what these do on my 383 SBC.

[@anthonyscott3659]

Good info! ..... looking to upgrade heads this winter got a 408 sbc running "camel hump" heads although good old school heads but I feel I could gain a lot from even budget aluminum heads just need to find some with 400 sbc steam holes

[@cuttersperformance]

Call skip white, they can probably drill them for you

[@doolallyproductions7234]

Its basically aluminum vortec heads but with a little more cfm and will work with any intake manifold

[@ColeBreinholt]

Please do a dingle ball 3/4 with the 4.3l vortec v6, the engines are everywhere and I think it would be sick.

[@78bigten400]

I literally bought these heads for my 400 I built a month ago lol. I'm curious on the flow numbers cuz I didnt really believe the numbers they post. The afr 195 they also sell has the same numbers for some reason. WARNING ABOUT THESE HEADS!!! I had to clearance the pushrod holes to fit on my 817 cast 400 sbc. They do say in the ad you may have to do this but other than that they are awesome

[@RonaldLewis-py6yt]

Looking forward to see your cam selection, I bought a bare set of the heads and ended up at 13oo.oo dollars in them wish I'd just got them ready to bolt on took the machine shop 4 months to bore the block and build the heads I won't be guilty of that again, not really impressed with the way it runs either

[@goratgo1970]

Thanks for the input, have similar things to consider.

[@cuttersperformance]

The assembled heads can't be beat for price/value

[@jamesglass3278]

Did these come from Kingsport TN? I had a skip white dirt track race car engine from these guys, good stuff.

[@cuttersperformance]

Yeah same guys

[@drkscion]

I'm considering retrofitting my 1963 327 to a roller setup, what's the most cost effective way to do that and keep it reliable? I know it won't be cheap, but need to keep it reasonable.

[@thomaschampagne4536]

Having a 400sbc, “Could you dyno test these heads on the 400sbc engine?” I’m contemplating on upgrading my stock Vortec Heads with new springs and retainers or get the 225cc ProjectX Promaxx heads or buy these heads if they produce some horsepower and torque.

[@cuttersperformance]

These were originally bought for the 406 but everyone wanted the vortecs lol

[@charlesroyal2357]

I have never had one problem with anything purchase from them

[@scottbrooklyn2995]

I bought a set of AFR 195 street Eliminators a couple years ago and I honestly recommend them to anyone. More money but you get what you pay for

[@wingingittracy8508]

I bought the afr version. Better hardware. Installed it in an 808 block gm lt4 gm hot cam scat 383 crank 5.7 rod je piston 10 cc dish 1.6 rockers edelbrock airgap holley 750 double plumper msd distributor with 6 al box . I have no idea what it makes . Any guesses would be appreciated. Thanks 😊

[@cuttersperformance]

Approx 450hp/450 ftlbs

[@wingingittracy8508]

@cuttersperformance thanks I was hoping it would be around 450 kinda mild cam

[@of_lion22]

Thanks for the info Pat. Out of curiosity, do you remember how much material you had to mill off the DNA heads for the Dingleball 350? You got them down to 59cc chambers right?

[@cuttersperformance]

That was for the used bottom end 355 that I did. I believe .028 was taken off them

[@brianpotocki2482]

What has happened to the 406 Vortec head build? I'm ready to see the HP an torque it'll make

[@cuttersperformance]

@@brianpotocki2482 just waiting to get onto the dyno

[@jessemontgomery60]

A good option for a stock replacement? Looks like it to me.

[@cuttersperformance]

Much better than any stock head

[@stevejenson2161]

@@cuttersperformance that's for sure. they are a huge improvement

[@obs350kevin5]

Been wanting ti get these heads for a long while now. I also think i might have lifter tick and thinking of doing a cam and head combo. What flat tappet cam do you recommend on a manual obs truck on 308 gears in the rear. Want to rev up to 6 or 6,200 rpms.

[@cuttersperformance]

You'll need more rear gear to get full-size truck to rev out to 6k+ rpm and not be a dog down low, especially with a 350 or 355. Do a 383 stroker and you'll pick up a ton of low end torque if you want to keep that rear gear

[@wisco1225]

It would be cool to run them on the L31. See difference between iron vortecs

[@jondough4116]

They run excellent for the price on my 98 L31 for 8yrs now in a 86 gmc safari...

[@383mazda]

Will the factory stamped rockers work on these heads (from a vortec L31 motor)? Or do you need something more for the 500hp mark on a 383?

[@cuttersperformance]

Those rockers shouldn't be used past .480 lift

[@gearhead7896]

I'm about to buy heads for my son's truck (383). I really wanted to buy a set of heads that I can later put the Jesel Shaft rockers on but the least expensive set of heads I've found is the AFR Eliminators ($2000). I didn't want to spend that kind of money on something that doesn't need the super high flow but I really like the Jesel shaft system, so maybe later on. Then I've been looking at AFR 195s and Promaxx 200s and for $1300 you can get the Promaxx and get close to 300 cfm of flow. So, those may be the ticket or these. IIRC, the Promaxx is made in the USA. I wanted at least 230-240 cfm for the 383. On another note, here is my car with the Cam Motion 108 LSA I've spoke about in other videos. I finally uploaded a good video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpncqZSjZ658ZqM

[@terrysmith8133]

saw a golds garage video that said they had valve leaking on new skip heads, he called skip and skip told him too bad. wondering how other feel about their skip heads?

[@cuttersperformance]

I think those were afr enforcers

[@100amps]

How timely, I was just looking at the assembled AFR 195 as-cast heads for the exact reason you mentioned. How do you think these compare to the AFRs? Same probably? Or?

[@cuttersperformance]

Basically the same as the AFR enforcers

[@Thumper68]

They are AFR enforcer heads on skip white site he sells the AFR and in the listing they are repeatedly referred to ask AFR/NKB heads

[@100amps]

@@Thumper68 Could be. It looks to me like they sell AFRs and their own NKB (cheaper than AFRs), but both have the same specs, which is why they mention both when talking about specs and performance.

[@Thumper68]

@ Right from skip white site. They mention it many times and say they’re same castings. “These dyno reports show the heads to be the NKB heads. They are the exact same castings as the AFR Enforcer heads.” “ The size that you will most likely need with the AFR/NKB heads will be 7.900". “The AFR/NKB-27X heads require the use of special head bolt washers, and extended reach head bolts. “ “The overall average flow numbers on the AFR/NKB-200 heads are higher than most any brand of non cnc'd cast aluminum heads on the market.” “We have achieved 550 hp in our Stage 2.2 383 Super Stroker engine, setup for street use with the AFR/NKB heads, and able to run premium pump gas.”

[@cuttersperformance]

@100amps skip white actually called me about these heads yesterday. Yes, they are the same castings as AFR Enforcers. Skip White was using these castings before AFR

[@CarsandCats]

Did you pour dye down the ports and let them sit to check the valve job? I know you looked at the seats but that's only half the story. If the guides aren't straight the valves won't seal.

[@cuttersperformance]

Vac tested

[@CarsandCats]

@@cuttersperformance I'm shocked if they had a good valve jobbed because every other video I've seen on assembled heads hasn't. Did you do a valve drop to see if any guides were too tight?

[@b_hall]

Do you know the cross sectional area on these heads

[@michaelshane378]

I have a question a have sbc 355 i have a set of 200cc 64 elderbrock etec heads i just purchased these heads which ones do u think would be better for my engine its a 880 roller block 10 to 1 compression with a comp cam 230/236 510/520 lift 282 288

[@cuttersperformance]

You would have similar results with either set of heads and that combo

[@michaelshane378]

Thanks which ones would you use

[@cuttersperformance]

@michaelshane378 if I already had the etecs setup for a roller cam I'd go with that. If I had to buy new I'd go skip whites as they are a much better deal

[@michaelshane378]

@cuttersperformance thank you I enjoy watching your channel

[@Hellinois23]

Do they make a cnc ported version? Looking for a 180-195 cc head that flows like afr but cheaper 😆

[@cuttersperformance]

Check out promaxx

[@Hellinois23]

@@cuttersperformance I'll check out your previous videos as I know you've done those tests. Thanks

[@Thumper68]

These are AFR enforcer heads

[@chrisreynolds6520]

Factory stamped steel center bolt vqlve covers will not bolt to them. They ALL have a machining flaw where the bosses for the perimeter bolt valve covers interfere with the stamped steel center bolt covers. GM, Edelbrock and others mill the bosses down for clearence. AFR even messes this up on the Enforcers although they have their own heads correctly machined.

[@cuttersperformance]

That's true, ive ran into that on other heads

[@TheRocco28]

Just curious Pat, why didn’t you purchase the hydraulic roller cam heads initially? The website shows they are the same price. Keep up the great videos!

[@cuttersperformance]

They were originally purchased for the 406 build but everyone wanted Vortecs lol

[@TheRocco28]

⁠Yeah, you can’t please all of the people, all of the time.😊

[@Thumper68]

@@cuttersperformanceyeah that was stupid decision these are better then vortecs

[@No1414body]

Enough flow for 550hp

[@stevejenson2161]

they have these heads on their 406 and 421 engines, and they make 550 easily with a hyd. roller cam in the 570 lift range with a single plane intake.

[@reason2gether]

Are they heat-treated (T6)?

[@cuttersperformance]

AC4B alloy and tempered to T6

[@davidreed6070]

I have heard some say to make the back cut and the seat the same width. I dont know what is best.

[@cuttersperformance]

The valve job is already four angle, the back cut valve helps alot

[@reason2gether]

For some reason, there website keeps showing "website is not secure" and will not let me view the site.

[@cuttersperformance]

The website worked fine this morning not sure why it's not now. Did this video crash it? 😅

[@cuttersperformance]

Website is back up again

[@stalegiverhaug2905]

Why both standard and Vortec intake bolt pattern? Vortec runners are taller than standard. Heads will not fit both runner types in any case. GM made those patterns different for a reason.

[@cuttersperformance]

You can make either work with a 1206 intake runner size. Some porting blending will need to be done to the intake to make it perfect though

[@approachingtarget.4503]

Find used heads. Spend $350 machining and produce 50hp more for the same cost.

[@cuttersperformance]

Try to find decent used heads at a decent price these days, everyone wants crazy money

[@approachingtarget.4503]

@cuttersperformance down in your neck of the woods. Around here dart 1 our equal are going for $300.

[@Thumper68]

So you’re going to buy used heads spend 350 machining and maybe make more power spending more money. Or buy these spend 200 machining make 25 more then your 50.😂

[@jeffallen3382]

What HP/TQ numbers are you expecting to see with the 383 test? Di you have any guesses?

[@aaronwheat5727]

Price just went up 100$ soon as they see this video lol

[@cuttersperformance]

I am worried about that 😅

[@davidsabyan2481]

Nope, they are still $859.00

[@stevejenson2161]

@@davidsabyan2481 their 64cc NKB-274 heads setup for hyd. roller cams are $849.00

[@belffed5645]

the link in your description is not working.

[@cuttersperformance]

@belffed5645 It worked prior to posting the video, the extra traffic may have crashed it

[@cuttersperformance]

Website is back up again

[@mediumjumbo7484]

Are these the same heads Golds garage had so much trouble with ?

[@cuttersperformance]

I believe his were AFR enforcers

[@ronwilliams4516]

do they come with steam holes drilled for a sbc 400?

[@cuttersperformance]

No they don't

[@stevejenson2161]

they offer the AFR Enforcers that do have the steam holes.

[@Thumper68]

You can get them with steam holes it says just to ask in the ad info for these or the hydraulic roller version they also have straight and angled plug