If you were a performance enthusiast looking for cylinder heads prior to 1987, your choices were limited to scrounging through junkyards, going to a dealership for OEM parts, or spending a small fortune on aftermarket aluminum racing heads. There was no in-between option. At this point, noted speed merchant Bill Mitchell and a skilled team of engineering and manufacturing personnel collaborated to develop an affordable cast iron head for the small block Chevrolet that delivered impressive performance gains. Their first offering, the World Products Dart II® (now Sportsman II®) cylinder head, became an instant success and was named Product of the Year in 1988 by Hot Rod Magazine. It produces 30-70 HP over stock heads, and remains the ONLY high performance cast iron small block head to be certified.

PERFORMANCE BRANDS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Big block Chevrolet enthusiasts were next to benefit from World Products “magic” in the form of the highly effective Merlin® line of cylinder heads and engine blocks. Ultimately, the line has expanded to include both aluminum and cast iron blocks and cylinder heads, with complimenting intake manifolds. From street rods and drag cars to off-shore boats and monster trucks, you’ll find Merlin power in charge.

The Merlin line has been bolstered by the addition of new Merlin X® aluminum blocks and intake manifolds. These represent a remarkable combination of advanced designs and state-of-the-art manufacturing technology to provide greater levels of performance at affordable prices. World’s committment to Ford enthusiasts has also increased significantly, thanks to the introduction of the Man O’ War® replacement block for 302/351 engines. With the block also came a natural progression to complete engines, with a wide variety of “Blue Oval” powerplants now available.

The biggest news, though, is the recent launch of the Warhawk® line of replacement blocks and cylinder heads for GM’s LS1/LS7 and C5R offerings. World's engineering team has collaborated with leading engine builders and racers to create an LS-series block that has many important design features you won't find in the OEM block, plus two cylinder heads; a 12° LS7 model for serious competitors (uses LS7 components) and a 15° high performance replacement for the LS1. Without question, World’s Warhawk products will be setting performance records from coast to coast.

Mopar lovers! Your time has come! In 2008 World introduced the aluminum Hemi® and Wedge engine blocks. Numerous enhancements have been made from the original versions that came to market in the ‘60s. World has also gone back to its roots with the venerable small block Chevy and introduced the Motown® line of cast iron and aluminum blocks and heads. Most recently, World has developed a superior 23° head for GM Vortec (220cc intakes) and a awesome-flowing 235cc model for today’s generation of powerful big-inch small blocks. And there are more new developments on the horizon. Visit worldcastings.com and see what’s new! Engines are, of course, a major part of World’s business. And it should be pointed out that as a primary manufacturer of engine blocks, cylinder heads and intakes manifolds, World Products is virtually in the same league as the OEM’s.

DEDICATED TO HORSEPOWER, LOTS OF HORSEPOWER

There are several important reasons why World engines are able to produce such impressive horsepower and torque numbers and be totally reliable. The “secret” is that most of World’s crate engines have relatively large displacements, which allows them to produce generous amounts of power - especially at lower RPM ranges. They’re not stressed like smaller displacement powerplants. Perhaps more important is the fact that these engines are based on high performance World engine blocks, cylinder heads and intake manifolds. When you compare them to OEM parts, you’ll see a number of improvements that have been added by World.

The other part of the equation is that over the years World has built literally thousands of engines, and has learned how to maximize the efficiency of virtually every component through highly refined combinations. Camshafts are ground to World’s specs by leading aftermarket firms and designed to take full advantage of the cylinder head and intake manifold flow characteristics. Specially blueprinted AED carburetors are also part of the equation. Add it all up and you’ll have to agree that World Products engines give you more than the factory. Awesome power, dyno-tested and certified performance, plus a rock-solid warranty. What does your local dealership offer?