These new 23-degree small-block Chevy iron heads are for the (street) racer who absolutely, positively has to win.

The press release from RHS on their new Pro Elite 23-degrees reads like a wish list for the street racer: 228cc intake runners, 69cc combustion chambers, 2.055-/1.60-inch valves, radiused exhaust valve seats, and a trick CNC job (full runners and chambers!) for top-dog flow. Crunch those numbers, then add to that the fact that these are, in fact, 23-degree iron heads that cost just $759.99 each (assembled), and you come away with some astounding possibilities. Combined with a budget 383- or 408-ci stroker short-block with a solid roller cam, and topped with a single-plane intake, these chunks signal the day when it’s officially possible to assemble an inexpensive 650-hp pump gas motor at home from mail-order parts without having to touch a die grinder.

What you’ll have is a sleepy, ordinary looking small-block with iron heads, but that breathes fire at the slightest provocation. This concept also happens to be in perfect alignment with many small-tire street car racing classes requiring iron 23-degree heads. Ostensibly, these budget Sportsman classes are what prompted RHS to pull out all the stops with the CNC work (you see, they like it when racers win with their heads). Nevertheless, it is the stock-appearing vibe and low cost of these pieces that make it perfect for a sleepy little Nova looking to tear up some import tin on a Saturday night! I think some kids out there with Mustangs are fixin’ to get their poor hearts broken.

To get a set, call RHS at 877-776-4323, or log on to www.racingheadservice.com