Indy Cylinder Head
Most consider Indy Cylinder Head to be the premier supplier of high-performance, aftermarket Mopar cylinder heads. Their long valve, big port designs have the potential for huge power numbers, and we can attest to the performance and durability of their products. With several big-block heads to choose from, and several levels of porting available for each head design, we're sure Indy has a head that will work with your combination.
440-EZ
Indy's 440-EZ cylinder head is designed to be a direct replacement for a stock head. This head utilizes the long valve, high intake port volume design that made Indy famous, but unlike their 440-SR or 440-1 heads, the exhaust ports remain very close to the stock location. This head is a great choice for an A-body or any application where exhaust clearance is an issue. These heads utilize stock-style valve gear and oil internally like factory units so no external lines are required. The EZ head offers a large 2.19-inch intake and 1.81-inch exhaust valves and is available in either a 75cc closed or 80cc open chamber design. The chambers are heart-shaped and designed for maximum quench, giving this head the potential for 750 hp on a properly prepped engine. Like most Indy heads, the EZ is available as cast or fully CNC ported with Max Wedge size ports.
440-SR
Indy's 440 SR head gives great performance for the dollar and is the head we utilize in ported form on our '68 Barracuda bracket car. This head also uses stock-style rocker arms, 2.19-inch intake and 1.81-inch exhaust valves, and the typical Indy heart-shaped combustion chamber in 75cc volume. Indy claims these heads to be good for 770 hp, but we've actually made nearly 800 hp with these heads. The 440-SRs are oiled externally via oil lines to the galley at the rear of the block, giving added area in the intake runners for porting. These heads do have raised exhaust ports so header clearance, especially in A-bodies, can be an issue.
440-1
The 440-1 cylinder head is the one that made Indy famous. Fully CNC ported to Max Wedge size ports, this head has the potential for 900-plus horsepower and will support engines up to 540 ci. Like the SR head, the 440-1 has raised exhaust ports and requires external oil lines for the rocker arms. The rockers are also specially offset to accommodate wider intake runners, meaning more power producing intake volume. The combustion chambers are heart-shaped and offer a 75cc quench design. For the money, this cylinder head package offers great power potential and is very durable. We've put nearly 1,000 trouble-free passes on a 540-inch wedge topped with these heads and can attest to their ability to provide reliable power.
572-13/600-13
If displacement of more than 572 ci and high horsepower is your goal, Indy's 572-13 or 600-13 cylinder heads may be in your future. These heads are designed to be the ultimate wedge head, offering normally aspirated power potential of 1,000-1,200 hp. Jesel rocker arms must be utilized with these heads, as well as valve covers with spray bars installed for rocker arm and valve train oiling. The 600-13 heads also require a special block with 4.840 bore centers to accommodate huge 2.40-inch intake and 1.94-inch exhaust valves. we just finished installing the engine in a '71 Duster bracket car and plan to test it in the near future, so look for a 572-inch wedge/572-13 head build in an upcoming issue.
 Indy cylinder head offers... Indy cylinder head offers several choices for the big-block Mopar enthusiast, including the popular 440-1 cylinder head shown here. We made over 900 hp from a normally aspirated 540-inch wedge with a pair of 440-1s, running consistent 8.90s at 150-plus mph in a 2,800-pound back-halved '71 Duster. Needless to say, we were impressed with these Indy units. |
 This Indy 440-1 cylinder head... This Indy 440-1 cylinder head has been ported to Max Wedge size ports. Next to a fully ported factory 452 casting the difference is apparent. No wonder these heads make so much power. Notice how the long valve design makes the head physically much taller than the factory unit. Exhaust ports are also raised so exhaust clearance will be an issue in certain applications. |
 Indy's 440-SR heads make great... Indy's 440-SR heads make great power as we've shown in our '68 Barracuda. Raised exhaust ports do make exhaust clearance an issue in A-bodies, but by lowering our engine slightly with the motor plate, our Hooker Super Competition fenderwell exit headers worked just fine. |
 All Indy heads, except the... All Indy heads, except the 440-EZ, utilize external oiling of some kind. The SR heads and 440-1s use lines from the rear of the block (shown here). The 572-13 and 600-13 cylinder heads use spray bars in the top of the valve covers. |
 All of Indy's heads, like... All of Indy's heads, like the 440-1 shown here, utilize a heart-shaped, quench-style combustion chamber. Notice the large valves and relocated spark plug that promotes efficient combustion. This head has been O-ringed for maximum combustion chamber seal. |
 This picture shows the difference... This picture shows the difference in offset of the 440-1 Indy rockers (bottom) and standard 440 rocker gear (top). The additional offset is required to accommodate the wider intake ports of the 440-1 heads. Indy offers these heads in kit form, including everything you need from the carburetor to the block. |
 The 572-13 and 600-13 Indy... The 572-13 and 600-13 Indy heads have the rocker stands milled down and are machined to accommodate Jesel rocker arms. These heads are the ultimate in wedge performance with power potential up to 1,200 hp in normally aspirated form. |