i got a 460 with d3VE heads that im about to take to the machine shop.but ive herd the D3VE heads aint any good and i dont want to waste money on them if they wont hold up . im just doing a stock build with a small cam. will these heads hold up or do i need different ones?

 

Those heads will work fine for a stock re-build. just have the machine shop check them for cracks .

 

D3VE heads are perfect for a street build. Guys who say D3 heads are crap are the same guys who say use D0VE heads on a street build. The D3 heads will keep your compression ratio around 9:1 which is good for running regular gas (87 oct). The use of D0VE heads will raise your compression into the 10:1 range and you will only be able to run 100+oct. I run D3s and make plenty of power. I think most guys here who have street builds also run these heads. SCJ heads are great but I think you lose a little performance down low where trucks usually need it most. The D2OE Police interceptor heads are really good but for the money keep the D3s and clean up the hump on the exhaust port side. Maybe stock size stainless valves and mill .010 off the deck for a little more compression depending on $$$ available. To answer your question D3VE heads ARE NOT CRAP!

 

The crap head is the D2VE head which is different than the PI head.

 

Everyone has it right, the D3VE heads will work just fine, and IMHO are actually better than the DOVE heads for a mild street build, and are equal to them in all but race only engines. I have posted links to charts showing the flow numbers of all the cast ford heads, and the DOVE, and D3VE heads have almost identical flow numbers within about 8cfm across the board (and the valve job has more tolerance than that for changes in flow). The DOVE heads only have 2 advantages, one higher compression as stated, and up to a certian point that is controlled by pistons as much as anything, you just select the pistons that will get the compression ratio into the range you want to run, problem with the DOVE heads is to keep the comp ratio in a range that will run on regular pump gas you need a huge dished piston. If you were wanting to run a race gas only 11:1+comp ratio than yes I would suggest different heads.
The other advantage is the DOVE heads are already setup for screw in studs, but the D3s can be converted.
Do a little work on the exhaust side, removing the little hump you see and bowl blending below the valves for a little better performance, and run those heads. STG had it about right as to what I would suggest on them for work, only thing is I wouldn't say milling the heads is an option you should do that everytime just to make sure you have a nice flat, and clean sealing surface.