I may be old school but your system seems to be lacking backpressure which helps torque and exhaust scavenging, without it you will not have any mid range which seems to be your bigest complaint. Headers and strait throught exhaust without any mufflers don't give any backpressure. I would try some mufflers to see if it makes a difference. Just my old school 2 cents!
-Mark

 

BigBlockk, thanks for the link. Very good information. I shouda read it 2 yrs ago

Now that we have established that 200 runner is too big for my setup, I would like to compare the Performer vs. Vortec. Here are the flow numbers (both heads are 64 cc):

Lift 0.050 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500
Vortec 40 70 139 190 227 239
Performer 32 64 121 174 216 235

Given the above information, Vortec heads are better (outflow) Performer. Correct?

Now, from the same article, an E/I ratio of 70-75% is considered good by experts. Vortecs are at 66%, Performers are 73%. With that information, Performer is a better head.

If one does not consider the price difference, which ones are better? One with better flow or better E/I ratio?

Since I would have to buy different intake and valve covers, Vortecs would be the same price as Performers. I am leaning towards Performers. They are aluminum (light weight) and have more valve lift/hp capability. Anyone disagree?

 

Both are good flowing heads and myself i would make the dicision on c.r. and quench rather than small differences in flow.

Is ur block decked?? If stock deck heigh is .025" and c.r. is in 9-9.5 range then iron vortec heads with .015" steel shim gaskets. Or block has been decked and c.r. is in 10-10.5 range then install aluminum heads with .039 composite gasket.
But the vortec's can use a little exh port work and need upgraded springs with screw in studs are more money. I think Scoggin-Dickeys has a resonable vortec head package.

But u need to fix that carb mixture and timing issue first.
cardo0

 

As far as bolt on and go with no port work at all, I would get the Performers. If you wanted to snuggle up to a die grinder for a while the Vortecs could be improved on the exhaust side. This is one of the reasons for dual pattern camshafts, to help out weak exhaust ports and systems.

The way I look at the data on the CHP page is to take the flow numbers at all points up to my max valve lift and average them. This really shows how weak the World heads are. And no, I'm not dissing these heads. I'm simply saying there is something better. The World heads are very old technology. The Vortec and Performers were designed to get very high port velocities, this is the only way they can match the World heads with ports that are 30cc smaller.

All that said, the way I see it, the AFR 180's are the most versatile heads on the list. You could put them on a stock engine and they would do well yet they have the flow numbers to support some serious HP on a modified motor. If you can swing them they're the best.

BigBlockk

Later.....

 

Block is not decked. Pistons/rods are stock too. I don't want to port/polish heads. I am going to go with Performers. If the stock CR is 8.2-8.5 with 76cc, then it would be 9.2-9.5 with 64cc. I know Al heads can go up to 11:1. Maybe I will increase CR next year after I am still not happy with this set up

BigBlockk... "As far as bolt on and go with no port work at all, I would get the Performers".....SOLD

I looked into the price for AFR 180s....kinda pricy. I will pass.

 

Have fun wrenching and NEVER being happy!

 

Now that I understand heads selection a little better, let see if I can learn about cams 101.

Given all the information about my combo/usage of car, how does one go about selecting a good cam? And no, I don't wanna just call the Comp Cam Tech....been there, done that, not happy at all.

I am open to both solid and hydraulic cam. However, after using solid once, I would like to go back to hydraulic. Looking at the catalog on CC website, I can see myself picking one of the following cams:

Magnum 270H (1800-5800, biggest cam with stock convertor, use lower gears, mild rough idle, 224/224, 0.470/0.470)

XE268H (1600-5800, largest cam for stock convertor, 224/230, 0.477/0.480)

XE274H (1800-6000, 2200+ stall, 230/236, 0.490/0.490)

XS268S (1600-6000, largest cam for stock convertor, 230/236, 0.488/0.501)

Now here's my list of initial questions (and there WILL be more):

1. Operating Range: What is that? I can't extract any useful information from that. If my intended range is for 1500-5500 RPM, does that mean I can't select a cam in 1600-6000 range at all?

2. Druration: How does one select duration for their setup? I have had recommendation for anywhere 212 to all the way to 236. Help me narrow this down please

Also, given that I have practically open pipe set up, is it better to have same duration on exhaust side or bigger? I am assuming same is better since there is no restriction on exhaust. Am I correct?

Help me understand the above 2 itmes, then I will be back with questions regarding lift and LSA

 

TTT...

I still need to learn about CAM 101

 

So why don't you want to call them? If you had called them the 1st time you wouldn't have ended up with the incompatible head/cam combo that you have now.

When I selected my cam I contacted both Crane and Comp Cams. They both gave wery similiar advice. I ended up with the XE262H and am very satisfied

From what I have heard chambered pipes are far from an open pipe. More restriction than a muffler setup.

 

I did. They knew exactly what parts I was going to run. That's the cam they recommended. That's why I don't want to call them again.

My cam is very, very close to XE262H and I am not happy at all. Satisfaction comes to different people at different level Have you dyno'ed your combo?

I have "heard" the same thing many times. Unless I see numbers I say