Block 361959 heads 14092360 advice

[C10]

Recently purchased an 85 c10 long bed which has a 454 bb and 3 speed auto im looking to gain a bit more up and go out of her, at the moment everything enginewise is stock from what I can tell
Not looking to build a race motor but street/strip with some get up and go would be desirable
I have in my possession a rpm air gap large oval prt inlet mani and a 750 quickfuel slayer to nestle on top
The problem i have is this manifold isn't going to work to well with my peanut port heads so I'm having to look for heads as well,do I look for some 049 or 781 heads or do I bite the bullet and buy aftermarket ali heads (did I mention im trying to do this on a budget) ali heads here in New Zealand start at around $2500nzd
Any advice or assistance would be great

 

[63Half-ton461]

I would steer clear of the 049's as they have huge chambers and require pop up pistons to make any kind of compression, the 781's are a better choice but in my opinion 820's or 241's are the best head to run on a flat top piston 454 motor like you have. I'm running the 820 style heads with porting, big valves and flat tops, it easily crushes the GM 454 HO crate motor for torque and horsepower. When i'm not towing i even get half decent gas mileage as the motor is barely working at all.

 

[63Half-ton461]

Here's a Vizard build using 820 or similar castings