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Are the Kaase P-51 heads worth over $5,000 ?

23K views 86 replies 12 participants last post by  Mark O'Neal 
#1 ·
I'm trying to find a great pair of heads for a 460/525 engine and I think the Kaase P-51 heads look very nice, but are they worth almost 5,200 ? I drive my 427 Cobra replica mostly on the street but also some track days. I'm wanting between 650-750 HP/TQ, roller lifters etc. I don't see going over 6,200 rpm or so. I drive my Cobra hard, as it should be ! It's not a hot rod ya know. I know heads are can gain or lose a lot of power, but 5k plus rockers, springs, pushrods etc. is a lot of money, so are they, plus the rest of parts needed,... worth the price or overkill for my needs ?

 
#2 ·
That price is
COMPLETE CYLINDER HEADS FOR ROLLER CAM WITH UP TO .800 LIFT $2695.00 PAIR

They are good heads as are the AFR offerings for about the same $$$







Scotty J. "AKA" The "Mad Porter"
"EMC 2006" 3rd place finisher
Ported BBF iron head specialist & Aluminum heads from all sources.
Custom ground cams
See our products in the Vendor for sale section
Customized crate engines
ParklandAutoMachine.com
R-H-P.biz
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#3 ·
Complete for $2,695, but what are these ?

KAASE-P51 SPECIAL BUILT GUIDE PLATES $45.00

ARP PRO SERIES ROCKER STUDS FOR P-51 CYLINDER HEADS $65.00

KAASE P-51 STAINLESS STEEL VALVES FOR P-51, 6049-SCJ, 6049- A429 .100 LONGER $20.00 each

T&D SHAFT MOUNT ROCKER SYSTEM FOR KAASE P-51 CYLINDER HEADS $1375.00

ARP 12 POINT HEAD STUD KITS $269.00

KAASE STUD GIRDLE FOR P-51 HEADS WITH ADJUSTMENT NUTS $269.00
 
#4 ·
If you're not really gnna be revving it you don't need the shaft mount, or the stud girdle, the head studs are if you're running a lot of compression, boost or nitrous, the rocker studs are actually good insurance, as are the guide plates, and the stainless steel valves are nice, but again those are more for higher stress like if you're running boost or nitrous.. you could just use the stainless on the exhaust if you wanted to just for longevity. But just like Scotty said, for the price of the pair, those or the AFR's are both good heads.. if in doubt give him a PM or a call. Good luck with your new build, Ta!!
 
#5 ·
I'm trying to find a great pair of heads for a 460/525 engine and I think the Kaase P-51 heads look very nice, but are they worth almost 5,200 ? I drive my 427 Cobra replica mostly on the street but also some track days. I'm wanting between 650-750 HP/TQ, roller lifters etc. I don't see going over 6,200 rpm or so. I drive my Cobra hard, as it should be ! It's not a hot rod ya know. I know heads are can gain or lose a lot of power, but 5k plus rockers, springs, pushrods etc. is a lot of money, so are they, plus the rest of parts needed,... worth the price or overkill for my needs ?

First question, why do you want that much power in something like a cobra? You won’t have enough traction to use it.
 
#6 ·
Same reason as any powerful engines and driver's, just because. Why do top fuel/funny car's need 12,000 HP, indy cars 900 HP, Carroll Shelby built two 427 Cobra's with twin Paxton supercharges at 700, today it would be 1,000. We raced 360 dirt wing sprint cars that are 700-800 HP, and some world of outlaws with 1,000 HP. So why, just because we can and it's **** load of fun. A lot of people can not drive cars with over powered power plants, and that's fine. To get any race car to hook up, the chassis, suspension, shocks, springs, etc is difficult, but can be done, then the driver needs to be in control. How do top fuel cars loose traction right away, it's because they did not get the 8 clutch's to slip enough meaning to lessen the HP to hook up. It's the same all the way down the track. They can not use 100% of the power.
 
#8 ·
Lol,...agreed,..It's much funner without it. Like the difference between racing sprints on pavement vs dirt, much funner on dirt ! Plus, why do we gearheads need 700 (+) HP in a newer Challenger, Corvette, Lambo, etc..?
Because it's power ! 😎
 
#10 ·
That would depend on which rotating assembly and pistons you have.




SJ
 
#13 ·
The engine kit / SB referenced is a 528 inch assembly with probe pistons for SCJ / P51 heads.

The HP you want will require P-51's if you want to keep cam timing more reasonable.



We've built many large inch high HP engines for FF and Superformance Cobra kit cars. No it makes no sense. The first 3 gears are as useless as tits on a bull...

The fun factor in competent hands is off of the charts.






Scotty J. "AKA" The "Mad Porter"
"EMC 2006" 3rd place finisher
Ported BBF iron head specialist & Aluminum heads from all sources.
Custom ground cams
See our products in the Vendor for sale section
Customized crate engines
ParklandAutoMachine.com
R-H-P.biz
"Parkland Performance Auto Machine" Formerly RHP
(253)-988-6648
Log into Facebook
 
#14 ·
The engine kit / SB referenced is a 528 inch assembly with probe pistons for SCJ / P51 heads.

The HP you want will require P-51's if you want to keep cam timing more reasonable.



We've built many large inch high HP engines for FF and Superformance Cobra kit cars. No it makes no sense. The first 3 gears are as useless as tits on a bull...

The fun factor in competent hands is off of the charts.






Scotty J. "AKA" The "Mad Porter"
"EMC 2006" 3rd place finisher
Ported BBF iron head specialist & Aluminum heads from all sources.
Custom ground cams
See our products in the Vendor for sale section
Customized crate engines
ParklandAutoMachine.com
R-H-P.biz
"Parkland Performance Auto Machine" Formerly RHP
(253)-988-6648
Log into Facebook
Meaning you believe I'm seeking too much power, un-drivable ?
"The fun factor in competent hands is off of the charts'' ?
 
#18 ·
yes, so extra money for a blower, turbo(s), nitrous or some combo.
:)

The problem with an over-powered, unbalanced, traction limited car is that most any modern AWD turbo sedan (like a Subaru) will beat you at a stop light.

But it's your car and your $, build what makes you happy..
 
#23 ·
yes, so extra money for a blower, turbo(s), nitrous or some combo.
:)

The problem with an over-powered, unbalanced, traction limited car is that most any modern AWD turbo sedan (like a Subaru) will beat you at a stop light.

But it's your car and your $, build what makes you happy..
Not true my friend, if you haven't read about me, here's the deal. I started racing go-karts at age 5, 125cc outlaw karts at age 9, mini-sprints, micro, and a few more. Then at age 16 I was hired to race for a owner in the big cars, the 360 wing dirt sprint cars and several races in the 410 sprints. Our local track is the fastest high bank one-third mile in the world. Even though the track has deep ruts, pot holes 12" deep and the entire time you're idling or racing they through you all over the place, so you better be in damn good physical condition to race sprint cars, etc, you're against 9 other cars in heat races and 24 in the features. Turn left at 90 mph & down the straights over 110 mph (on a good track) Go to Knoxville Iowa, a half mile, turn left at 110 and the straights over 140-150 mph, again, next to 10-24 other cars.

Your butt is only eight inches above the track, you have limited views side to side because of the body and the Hans Device keeps your head from over rotation and front to back, and the front nose wing covers much of the views in front, you drive more by the feel. Depending on the class, the sprint is 1,750 lbs. 800-1,000 HP and incredible TQ. Never thought about a T/Q number,...hum ? 🤔 lol

So if you think I can't handle a high HP/TQ 2,400 lb 427 Cobra,...you're wrong buddy. You have to be smart and don't drive over your head, in any kind of vehicle ! 😎

So, have you ever raced before ? (other than a tricycle) 🤣
 
#27 · (Edited)
Your arrogance is impressive, entertaining. I have nothing to prove to you, or care what you think of yourself.

No one has questioned your driving abilities. Not sure why you are so defensive. Good luck with your project.
 
#28 ·
Your arrogance is impressive, entertaining. I have nothing to prove to you, or care what you think of yourself. good luck with your project.
Now Justin, beehive. I did not say anything disreputable. I was trying to explain that some people need more power than others. It's like when our local 360cu. sprint car track brought in a sprint car 305cu class, which is a lot lower price car. For us, the lesser HP was very disappointing by saying, but it left the door open to drivers to race a more drivable, slower car, for them, and that's perfectly fine ! But you came on here being very disrespectful to my want's and needs saying, ''Your arrogance is impressive''. So if you don't like or understand my want's, needs for power and way of life, don't read my threads, simple. 😎
 
#30 ·
Frakkin corona has even messed up the aluminum industry!!! I've seen shortages for aluminum heads elsewhere on different engines, and as Mark has posted on different threads even pistons orders can't be filled now... 2020 has come back even this far to bite all of us in the a$$!!!
 
#33 ·
I'm trying to find a great pair of heads for a 460/525 engine and I think the Kaase P-51 heads look very nice, but are they worth almost 5,200 ? I drive my 427 Cobra replica mostly on the street but also some track days. I'm wanting between 650-750 HP/TQ, roller lifters etc. I don't see going over 6,200 rpm or so. I drive my Cobra hard, as it should be ! It's not a hot rod ya know. I know heads are can gain or lose a lot of power, but 5k plus rockers, springs, pushrods etc. is a lot of money, so are they, plus the rest of parts needed,... worth the price or overkill for my needs ?


If your not going over 6200 you might as well stick to a stock head, o0r buy a pair of cobra jets A429s
 
#36 ·
I just got an update on the hood I ordered back in the first week of April.. Looks like it's gnna be late July before it ships out now... The manufacturer has had a hard time getting the raw materials to make the hoods... Sigh c'mon it's fiberglass!!!!! If they weren't the only ones who make this style of hood I'd have gone elsewhere and then waited another 4 months!!! 😡😡
 
#40 ·
The different flavors of orderable heads are the (intake) runner volume (among other things like spring packages). The runners are made in different sizes (cross sectional area) to accommodate different engine flow requirements. Bigger displacement and higher RPM usage needs more flow and can utilize a larger runner volume. Too much runner volume results in low velocity and reduced power at lower rpms. Due to the high number of other factors (valve lift, intake manifold, porting, ect), there is no direct correlation from runner volume in cc's to flow rate.
The baby 270/280 cc head will make a lot of power and is more suited to the street.

92982
 
#41 · (Edited)
I would agree, sometimes too much is, well, too much. More isn't always better.
I again called Kaase today and they couldn't confirm the P-51 will be back in stock in 4 months, 6 months, 8 months....?
So, I'd love to have those incredible heads which can make for 75-100 HP, and the cool technology, am I willing to wait for several months, or should I go for the Kaase Prepared Super Cobra Jet Ford Heads ?

What would you do ?

Why do they cost more ?
Stage 2 - Complete $3850.00

  • Competition Valve Job
  • Motorsport Stainless Valves
  • Roller Springs
  • Titanium Retainers
  • Manley Spring Cups
  • Manley 10 Degree Locks
  • Rocker Studs
  • Motorsport Guide Plates
  • Flow Bench Testing
  • Full Portwork
  • Intake Flows 419cfm @ .800 lift @ 28" H20
  • Exhaust Flows 266cfm @.800 lift @ 28" H20
  • Stage 2 - Complete $3850.00
 
#42 · (Edited)
SR-71 heads are the best cobra jet head. Period. Put a 4.300 crank in it and rev it to the moon. It will give you all you want. Go here and read the entire thread.


The SR-71s make almost 50hp more avg. hp than the P-51s and the P-51s are basically a better SCJ.

I spoke with Roger this week and the SRs are in stock.
 
#43 ·
SR-71 heads are the best cobra jet head. Period. Put a 4.300 crank in it and rev it to the moon. It will give you all you want. Go here and read the entire thread.


The SR-71s make almost 50hp more avg. hp than the P-51s and the P-51s are basically a better SCJ.

I spoke with Roger this week and the SRs are in stock.
SR-71 heads are the best cobra jet head. Period. Put a 4.300 crank in it and rev it to the moon. It will give you all you want. Go here and read the entire thread.


The SR-71s make almost 50hp more avg. hp than the P-51s and the P-51s are basically a better SCJ.

I spoke with Roger this week and the SRs are in stock.
Is
 
#45 ·
If I remember correctly the pistons will need to be notched for the intake valves as they are on a different axis than the stock heads. This is dependent on your pistons and valve lift tho... Then again if you're using these heads you're not gnna be using a stock cam, LoL! Someone a lil more educated than I could probably guide you out here as to the limits to watch for.
 
#75 ·
Why do you need a head that flows 419cfm to make 750 HP?

The AFR 295cc head will let you make more than that and we sell those for about 2,400.00 _ AFR Cylinder Heads

Apply the KISS method here, instead of Mark's Second Law of Racer Economics…which is…"Never spend ten dollars when ten-thousand will do." ...the internet method of building engines.
Because he is a SPRINT car racer.
 
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