Engines with aftermarket head availability

You can now get TA Performance heads for the 215 and Rover engines, but installing one opens up a whole new can of worms, like valve covers won't clear rockers, and intakes don't line up any more without custom spacers, and you have to fabricate a new valley pan.  But, at least your Rover V8 isn't air flow limited to 350hp after massive amounts of cash are thrown at it to make it breath optimally.  Heard tell of some people getting upwards of 500 hp with the new heads.  All that being said, I'm firmly on the LS bandwagon now.  Can't beat easy reliable 500 hp and a transmission behind it that is equally up to the task.

R53 MINI

R56 MINI (no, neither are cheap... RMW does stroker engines as well.  Something I'll consider if I ever blow up my JCW, although that would be a crazy rabbit hole to fall down...)

There are a few guys doing custom head work on the Volvo B20, but they can be hard to find.  I think there may be some companies in Sweden doing completely new heads.  Similar for Triumph heads.  A few guys doing work on your or core heads, but nothing from raw new castings that I know of.

Ages ago I remember a couple of vendors for ALH TDI heads, but I can't find them right now.  I think they were modified cores as well and not new castings.

In reply to tr8todd :

Yeah... I can't imagine the original TR8 5 spd living for very long behind 500 HP. Would you upgrade the rear axle for an LS as well?

I have a customer that will make dry billet heads for nearly anything (no water, only oil) his main customers are drag and LSR. Last head I saw from him was a Honda B series port/chamber clone for a Penta (Volvo?) boat engine.

There was the OS Giken head for the Datsun L series fours and sixes... I remember drooling over those in the 80s, but they were unobtanium even then.

OS Giken heads

In reply to Rodan :

They started repopping those. You can get them new now.

In reply to NickD :

Didn't know that... can't imagine what they cost.  They were rumored to be $10k in the early 80s... if you had the right connections to get one.

I'd think it would be cheaper to just start with an RB20DE or RB25DE.  Not sure about the naturally aspirated performance potential, but I have heard the ports blow the 2JZ out of the water.

Has anyone mentioned the Classic Inlines aluminum head for the Ford "small six" engines?  

I really wanted to love my 200 six, I think one of these would have fixed the problems with it.