Best Flowing 23 Degree SBC Head – [2024]

The 23-degree cylinder head is the father of the alternate valve angle heads that we see today. With engine interchangeability in mind, manufacturers have started producing alternate angle heads only very recently. While they have better airflow potential, they can cost you quite a lot of money.

You see, it’s not only by pure chance that these alternate angle cylinder heads offer better airflow to the engine, but rather a lot of parts work together to bring out this result. You’ll have to get specifically designed pistons to accommodate this uniquely angled cylinder head.

Moreover, you’ll also need specific rocket shafts and other valvetrain parts to keep the machine running smoothly, which can shoot up your costs in the long run.

But the 23-degree SBC head needs no such coddling. There’s an old saying: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Think about it: it’s a minor improvement in your automotive’s airflow worth spending that much money, preferably not.

Furthermore, the 23-degree cylinder heads come with a lot of options that can be hard to choose from. To narrow down your choices, we’ve brought out our list of the best flowing 23 degree SBC heads and added a thorough discussion for your convenience. Let’s see what they are!

Best Flowing 23 Degree SBC Head Review

We’ve put through many products, some from famous brands, through our rigorous testing process, and these five products have come out with flying colors. So depending on your usage, you can choose any one of them.

1.Auto Dynasty Store SBC Cylinder Head

Who doesn’t want an improved efficiency and airflow? Auto Dynasty Store knows what their client base wants after being in the automotive industry for so long. And thanks to their expertise, they have the capability to deliver the best street-strip SBC heads. With that goal, Auto Dynasty Store has brought out this high-grade cylinder head.

With a high-grade aluminum build and bronze valve guides, the Auto Dynasty SBC cylinder head has a lightweight design that leaves little to be desired. In addition, the manufacturers have fitted this particular product with an advanced port design that allows this 23-degree head to deliver an impressive amount of airflow.

The cylinder head comes accompanied by a 68cc combustion chamber. This particular feature will improve your automotive’s engine performance and efficiency, delivering you a better driving experience. However, note that this product doesn’t have 400 steam holes, so you may need to bore if needed.

Specialized Department

This cylinder head comes equipped with a 68cc combustion chamber which improves your engine’s performance while retaining the stock compression setting. So, if you have a 1970 or earlier model, you’d benefit from using this cylinder head on your automobile.

What Sets This Apart

• High-grade aluminum build gives it a lightweight build
• Intake and exhaust valve ensure improved airflow
• Angled spark plug offers enhanced plug boot clearance
• 200cc intake runner valve guide prevents any oil leaks

Benefits

• Compatible with different SBC models
• No durability issues
• Improves engine performance
• Pleasing machining look

Drawbacks

• Not compatible with Vortec intake manifolds

Our Experience With It

As we started testing this particular set of cylinder heads, it added to our engine’s power output. And since we tried it on a 1970 model, it also let us keep our compression ratio which was a massive plus. So all in all, it’s a great bargain for its price.

Verdict

Given its particular features, this product would shine its brightest in a 1970 or earlier SBC model. However, you won’t be left empty-handed even if you fit it on another model.

2.Edelbrock 5089 Cylinder Head

Edelbrock is a trusted name in the automotive industry. This American brand has been in the business for over a few decades. And it shows in their products that they’ve accumulated their experience and expertise to deliver some of the best products that the automotive industry has seen. One such product is the 5089 cylinder head, which is comparable to the AFR 235 SBC heads.

To ensure a higher level of performance, Edelbrock has equipped the 5089 unit with manganese bronze valve guides, as cast iron guides tend not to handle high loads. It’s not only performance that the Edelbrock 5089 heads have to offer. Thanks to its hard-ended steel guide plate, it’s pretty durable as well.

As you take a look at its specs, you’ll see that Edelbrock hasn’t spared any expenses to build the perfect set of cylinder heads. So, while it may be a bit heavy, if you want performance and reliability, there’s no better option than the Edelbrock 5089 cylinder head.

Specialized Department

As this set of heads increases your engine’s efficiency in performance and fuel economy, it’s for those of you who want their V8 engines to kick it up a notch.

What Sets This Apart

• Premium steel build offers added durability
• Manganese bronze guides increase performance
• Flat tappet offers increased fuel charge
• 70cc combustion chamber adds to the efficiency

Benefits

• Easy to install
• Highly durable
• Offers excellent features for its cost
• Precision valve springs offer enhanced performance

Drawbacks

• Can be a bit heavy

Our Experience With It

The 5089 unit impressed us. It offered a fuel economy that didn’t come at the expense of performance but instead improved it! What more can you ask for?

Verdict

With increased performance and higher efficiency, the Edelbrock 5089 unit is a perfect choice for daily use. However, make sure not to get too excited and drive safely.

3.Assault Racing Products SBC20064SC Cylinder Head

Most stock settings can be very restrictive. While the manufacturers may have reasons for doing so, it may feel suffocating at times. To get rid of the restrictions, your best option is to use some aftermarket parts. And what better to start with than some aftermarket cylinder heads?

For those who are not looking for some skyrocketing performance out of their cylinder heads but just want to trade up the stock setting, the SBC20064SC is an excellent choice.

With a 200cc intake port and a 64cc combustion chamber, the Assault Racing SBC20064SC is an excellent choice for a cylinder head upgrade. While it may not offer the most severe upgrades, it can induce an oomph to your engine’s power output with its advanced port design and manganese bronze valve guides.

Specialized Department

The SBC20064SC is particularly for those looking to trade up their stock settings for a bit upgraded on, but not too much. It’ll undoubtedly add a taste of power to your engine.

What Sets This Apart

• Thick deck prevents any warping
• Manganese bronze valve guides offer enhanced performance
• High-grade aluminum alloy provides a lightweight build
• 64cc combustion chamber adds to engine’s performance

Benefits

• Visually pleasing machining work
• Durable casting quality
• Requires no offset rocker arms
• Advanced port design allows for enhanced airflow

Drawbacks

• Not suitable for high-performance engines

Our Experience With It

Compared to the other products at the same price level, the SBC20064SC had good casting quality. Moreover, its machining looked pretty decent. So while we won’t recommend this product if you’re going for a high-performance racing engine, it should undoubtedly be your first choice for daily use.

Verdict

Given its features and performance enhancement, the SBC20064SC is the perfect choice for the street. It’ll add power and reliability to your cruiser.

4.SAE Speed 2X Bare Cylinder Heads

Featuring an air-gap design, SAE Speed’s 2X cylinder heads are a clear winner. The open space of the air-gap design helps the runners stay separated from the cover’s heat. As a result, the fuel/air mixture remains cooler compared to the other systems. And we all know, the cooler the mixture, the denser the charge. So, if you’re looking for power, you should find what you’re looking for.

The SAE Speed 2X heads have a lot more to offer. A perfect fit for the SBC engines up to 1986, the 2X heads come equipped with a 64cc combustion chamber. This chamber helps the engine to run more efficiently. What’s more, this 64cc combustion chamber will allow you to retain your stock compression ratio.

Moreover, its high-grade aluminum build, coupled with bronze valve guides, allows it to run more efficiently for a more extended period of time. It’s all these features that make this product one of the best 23 degree SBC heads.

Specialized Department

The SAE Speed 2X heads are the best street/strip SBC heads for those trying to get a better kick out of their engine with different performance-enhancing features.

What Sets This Apart

• Aluminum build makes it lightweight
• 64cc combustion chamber improves engine performance
• Advanced port design provides more airflow
• Manganese bronze valve guides offer enhanced performance

Benefits

• Visually pleasing machining style
• Denser charge
• Hardened seats offer durability
• Improves performance

Drawbacks

• Can be a bit pricey

Our Experience With It

As we fit this set onto our engine, we were pretty impressed with the results. Our engine’s power output increased over the entire band, and we experienced a better fuel economy, which ticks all the boxes in our checklist.

Verdict

SAE Speed has designed this set of cylinder heads to offer enhanced performance to all its customers. So, if you’re looking for better output from your engine, you can’t go wrong with this set of cylinder heads.

5.Chevrolet Cylinder Head

Chevrolet built this set of cylinder heads with one goal in mind: to make the highest performing SBC head. And they have succeeded. To do that, Chevrolet fitted this cylinder head with different features.

One of the most exciting features is the Fast Burn technology. It allows the head to burn the entire air/fuel mixture quickly. As a result, your engine will produce more power and higher pressure. However, your combustion chamber needs to work with flat top pistons to get this done.

But you can’t be happy with the performance unless it’s consistent. To deliver that, Chevrolet has CNC machined the rocker rails for consistent performance. Overall, the Chevrolet cylinder head is one of the best flowing 23 degree SBC heads with enhanced performance and reliability.

Specialized Department

The Chevrolet’s heads are said to be the highest performing 23-degree heads in the market. They’re the best SBC heads for drag racing. So with that in mind, it’s for those who want the best performance from their engine and leave no stones unturned to get that result.

What Sets This Apart

• Fast burn technology maximizes the efficiency of the air/fuel mixture
• CNC-machining offers consistent performance throughout the whole band
• Time-serts prevents any oil leaks through the rocker studs
• D-shaped exhaust port provides enhanced flow

Benefits

• Offers universal fit
• Needs no additional porting
• Easy to install
• Increases power output

Drawbacks

• Needs additional porting for all-out race activities

Our Experience With It

After testing this set of heads, we agree with Chevrolet that this product has the highest performance potential amongst all other 23-degree heads. Not only did it increase our power output, it felt as if our engine was working better than ever!

Verdict

We recommend getting this set of heads if you want to make severe upgrades to your automotive performance.

Things to Consider Before Buying A Flowing 23 Degree SBC Head

While most people will tell you that the more airflow, the better, you’ll find that this statement isn’t entirely up to the mark. Contrary to popular belief, there are other factors that you need to consider when buying a 23-degree SBC head. They’re as follows.

Material

Your budget is going to play a significant role in your cylinder head’s material selection. But keep in mind that you’ll get what you pay for, so it’d be wise not to go for the cheapest option available.

Iron has a comparatively lower material cost, so they’re typically cheaper. However, if you’re looking for aluminum heads, they’re more available in the market.

Besides, aluminum has better inductive qualities, so aluminum heads can pull more heat out of your automotive’s combustion chamber, translating into more efficiency.

Air Velocity

Velocity is one of the crucial variables in the performance of the cylinder head and thus in the induction system. While most people focus on raw flow numbers, experts say airflow speed is ten times more important than those numbers.

One common mistake amongst people is giving more air to the engine regardless of what the machine’s asking for. As a result, they end up with a low-velocity induction system that fails to fill the cylinder appropriately.

To put it more simply, if you deliver more airflow to your engine than necessary, your engine will never reach its full potential.

Valve Size

Many have a misconception about cylinder heads that the bigger, the better. So, they tend to go for the largest runner with the most flow. However, that doesn’t help your engine but rather can hurt it pretty badly.

One thing you should take note of is that there’s a difference between the best flowing head and the biggest flowing head. If you have a cylinder head that’s needlessly too big, you’ll end up with a lazy combination of parts and receive a softer RPM in the lower ends.

The general rule to follow is to choose the smallest head that can provide your engine with the exact amount of air it asks for. Moreover, there’s a possibility that your small-bore engine can’t take up any head with an overly increased diameter.

Port Volume Compatibility

Last but not least, you’ll need to consider the volume of the delivered airflow. In the specs section, you’ll see that there’s a specified volume, usually in cubic centimeters or CC. This number refers to the port’s overall volume instead of the port flow.

Try to get the smallest SBC 23 degrees heads that meet the number instead of any head with a larger diameter. The smaller the head, the more airflow velocity, which roughly translates to a more efficient engine. You may even find yourself with improved throttle response and enhanced torque.

Types SBC Heads

To pick the best cylinder head for your SBC, you need to know what your options are. So, let’s get to know about the types of SBC heads.

Aftermarket Aluminum or Cast Iron SBC Heads

The manufacturers drill three holes on the driver-side head and up to five heads on the passenger-side head in this type of head. There are a few standard dimensions, such as 3 ½” between the passenger-side holes, 3 ⅝” between the top-side drivers, and 4 3/16” between the two corner passenger-side holes.

Vortec Cast Iron SBC Heads

Unlike the aftermarket SBC heads, the Vortec cast iron SBC heads have three factory-drilled holes on both passenger and driver sides. The typical dimensions for this type are 4 3/16” between the passenger-side holes and3 ⅝” between the driver-side holes.

Corvette & ZZ to ZZ4 Aluminum SBC Heads

While this type of head has three holes on the driver-side head but has two or three holes on the passenger side, the Corvette SBC heads share the same dimensions as the Aftermarket SBC counterparts.

Fast Burn Vortec Aluminum SBC Heads

Like the Vortec Cast Iron heads, the Fast Burn SBC heads have three factory-drilled holes on driver and passenger sides. And it also shares the exact dimensions of the Aftermarket Aluminum heads.

FAQs

Which one’s better: Cast iron or aluminum SBC head?

Aluminum has a better heat conductivity than cast iron and therefore can heat up thrice as faster than cast iron. Moreover, aluminum heads are much easier to fix because of their ductility.

Are manganese bronze guides better than cast iron guides?

In terms of performance, yes, manganese bronze guides are better. That’s because they can dissipate the heat from the valves much better than cast guides and offer higher performance.

How do I know what degree my stock SBC needs?

If your small-block Chevy has retained its stock settings, it uses an angle of 23 degrees, unlike all race heads.

Why are my oil levels dropping?

One of the main reasons for a drop in your engine’s oil level is cylinder head failure. First, check to see if your cylinder head has cracked or not. If yes, you’ll need to replace it. You can choose any of the heads mentioned on our list.

Can adding a cylinder head increase my engine’s power output?

By adding the right cylinder head, you’ll be able to experience an increase in your engine’s power output. Not only that, but there are also other benefits, such as improved throttle response, fatter torque curves, and many more.

Final Words

When it comes to automotive, every single part affects the performance of your car. That works for cylinder heads as well. So, you’ll need to choose them carefully. Hopefully, our discussion on the best flowing 23 degree SBC head will help you on your journey.

You can choose any product from our list, and we guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. You can also use our buying guide as a reference point. Thank you for letting us be a part of your journey!