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Cylinder Heads

Aluminum cylinder heads deliver serious weight savings and better heat dissipation than cast iron, so you can run higher compression on pump gas without detonation. This category covers small block Chevy, big block Chevy, GM LS, Ford and Mopar builds, available bare or fully assembled. You'll find performance and aftermarket aluminum cylinder heads from trusted brands like Edelbrock, AFR, ProMaxx, ATK Engines and Chevrolet Performance.

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What Are Cylinder Heads?

Cylinder heads are the bolt-on top end of your engine. They house the ports, combustion chambers and valves that control how your engine breathes. Our tech article on what a cylinder head is walks through the basics.

Compared with cast iron, aluminum offers a significant weight savings and dissipates heat far better. That cooler-running design lets you run a higher compression ratio without detonation, even on pump gas. That's why builders chasing more power keep coming back to aluminum castings.

For the best flow, pair your heads with a matched camshaft, so browse performance camshafts and valvetrain to set valve lift and duration. Exhaust matters too, and how headers complement your cylinder heads shows how the right headers finish the job. Get all three parts working together and you'll unlock the airflow your build was designed to make.

Cylinder Heads by Engine Application

JEGS carries cylinder heads for nearly every popular V8 platform, so you can match a set to your exact block and build goals. Here's how the lineup breaks down by engine family:

  • Small Block Chevy (SBC): the most popular swap, with small block Chevy aluminum heads sized for street and strip 283-400 builds.
  • Big Block Chevy (BBC): big block Chevy (BBC) aluminum heads for 396-572 rat motors that need serious airflow.
  • GM LS: LS cylinder heads for LS1, LS3, LS7 and truck-based swaps.
  • Ford Small Block and 5.0L: heads for Windsor, Cleveland and 5.0L Coyote-era builds.
  • Mopar: castings for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep small-block and big-block engines.
  • Pontiac: aluminum heads for classic Pontiac V8 restorations and performance builds.

Not sure your block can handle the upgrade? Compare your options against fresh engine blocks before you commit to a set.

Top Cylinder Head Brands

The brands you choose shape how your heads flow, seal and hold up, so JEGS stocks performance cylinder heads from names builders trust. Edelbrock is the go-to for street-friendly aluminum heads that bolt on and run clean on pump gas. AFR (Airflow Research) builds CNC-ported castings for enthusiasts who want maximum flow and proven track numbers.

ProMaxx Performance offers budget-conscious heads that punch above their price for street and bracket cars. ATK Engines brings remanufactured and performance options when you're rebuilding a tired top end.

Chevrolet Performance covers factory-backed aluminum heads for SBC, BBC and LS crate combinations. JEGS branded heads round out the lineup with value-driven sets for common builds. Whether you're after all-out race flow or a dependable street upgrade, there's a proven casting here to match your target and your budget.

Bare vs. Assembled Cylinder Heads

Cylinder heads come two ways: as bare castings or fully assembled with the valves and springs already installed. Bare heads give you a blank canvas. That suits engine builders who want to pick their own valvetrain, run a custom valve job or reuse quality hardware.

Assembled heads ship ready to bolt on, saving you the machine work and guesswork. That makes them the easy choice for most street builds and quick top-end swaps. If you go the bare route, you'll need to add matched intake and exhaust valves, springs and retainers to finish the set.

For a ground-up refresh, our engine rebuild kits bundle many of the internal parts you'll want to replace at the same time. Think about your tools, your time and how much assembly you want to handle before you choose.

Cylinder Head Hardware and Installation Parts

A fresh set of cylinder heads is only as good as the hardware that secures and feeds it. Aluminum expands more than cast iron as it heats up. So you'll want the correct head bolts or studs and a head gasket rated for your compression and power level.

Our engine head bolts and gaskets cover the fasteners and sealing parts you need to torque everything down right. Round out the top end with quality valves, springs, retainers and rocker studs. That way nothing becomes the weak link at high rpm.

Heads work best paired with a matched camshaft and headers, so plan those parts into your build from the start. Reusing a set? Our guide on how to clean cylinder heads shows you how to prep the surfaces before installation.

Get the hardware right and your heads will seal tight and last for the long haul.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cylinder Heads

Are Aluminum Cylinder Heads Better Than Cast Iron?

For most performance builds, yes. Aluminum offers a significant weight savings over cast iron and dissipates heat better. That lets you run a higher compression ratio on pump gas without detonation. Cast iron is heavier but also cheaper and very durable, so it still makes sense on budget or stock rebuilds. Choose based on your power goals, your budget and how much weight you want off the nose of the car.

Do Cylinder Heads Add Horsepower?

They can, especially when you upgrade from restrictive factory castings to a set with better ports and flow. Cylinder heads control how your engine breathes, so more airflow generally means more power when the rest of your combination supports it. To see the full gain, pair your heads with a matched camshaft and headers rather than swapping heads alone.

How Much Do Cylinder Heads Cost?

A single cylinder head generally runs from about $200 to $1,500 or more, depending on the brand, the engine family and whether it's bare or fully assembled. All-out race heads with extensive CNC porting can climb higher still. Set your budget around your power target and whether you need one head or a matched pair.

When Should You Replace Your Cylinder Heads?

Replace a cylinder head if it's warped or cracked from overheating, since those problems keep it from sealing correctly. A tired engine with worn valve seats is another common reason to step up to a fresh set. Upgrading to aluminum at the same time is a smart way to add performance while you already have the top end apart.

Do Aluminum Cylinder Heads Require Special Head Bolts or Torque Specs?

Aluminum expands more with heat than cast iron, so following the manufacturer's torque sequence and specs matters even more. Use quality head bolts or studs rated for your application, and torque them in stages in the recommended pattern. This helps the head seal evenly and protects the gasket over repeated heat cycles.

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