Need help selecting Heads!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Need help selecting Heads!
I thought I had my mind made up with AFR 190s for $1250 but then I get a catalog from Partsamerica.com with a 10% coupon. This means I can get a set of Peformer RPMs for about $850. How much will I be giving up for $400?
The car is for street use only. I am running the CC XE268 cam. I will probably switch my intake for the RPM airgap while I am at it. Is there an adapter that will mate my spreadbore Holley to a squarebore intake? I am not worried about room because I recently bought an L88 hood.
If anyone wants the coupon code I will post. It is only good for items in the catalog.
The car is for street use only. I am running the CC XE268 cam. I will probably switch my intake for the RPM airgap while I am at it. Is there an adapter that will mate my spreadbore Holley to a squarebore intake? I am not worried about room because I recently bought an L88 hood.
If anyone wants the coupon code I will post. It is only good for items in the catalog.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 9
From: Fairport NY
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (Rob's 73)
Rob, I have the Edelbrock RPM Aluminum Heads and I think they are fine for street use. I also have the XE268 with an Air Gap intake and I think you'll like the combination on the street. Rod
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (Rob's 73)
Check out Edelbrock's E-Tec heads, they make two versions of them and they both flow like crazy! They are aluminum copies of Chevy Vortec heads and are designed to be used with a standard manifold or a Vortec manifold. Really good heads that compare very well with some of the most expensive aluminum heads made, and are less than $1000 for a pair, complete. One Caveat, they are 64cc heads, so if you have flat-topped pistons you are probably looking at 10-1 or better compression ratio, but the aluminum heads should handle that okay.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (Rob's 73)
Red 73,
Can you cleanup my engine bay to look like yours?
The ETECs are not in the catalog so I won't be able to get the 10% off. I would then be close enough to justify getting the AFRs.
Any other feedback??
Can you cleanup my engine bay to look like yours?
The ETECs are not in the catalog so I won't be able to get the 10% off. I would then be close enough to justify getting the AFRs.
Any other feedback??
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (Rob's 73)
Maybe look at the Victor Jr. heads. You want to have 10.5 or above C/R with any of the modern high swirl combustion chambers.
I have .500 raised exhaust ports without changing anything on my 1 3/4 headers. When you look at a SBC head raising it doesn't even really move the exhaust pipes much.
I have .500 raised exhaust ports without changing anything on my 1 3/4 headers. When you look at a SBC head raising it doesn't even really move the exhaust pipes much.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (Rob's 73)
Another option is the Trick Flow 23 degree heads. They're 195 heads that flow very nicely and are under $1,000. I've heard that there used to be seal problems that have since been resolved, and I have them on my Z28 and have had no problems. I like 'em A LOT!!! :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 1
From: Elkhorn WI
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (79MakoL82)
RPM air/gap,RPM heads and RPM cam in mine.........couldn't ask for a better combo...
dyno at 420 here with less HP parts than I have !
RPM DYNO STATS
-J
dyno at 420 here with less HP parts than I have !
RPM DYNO STATS
-J
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (ylose)
Trick Flows made 423HP with a milder more streetable cam. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the flow numbers for the Trick Flows are very near the AFR 195's. And at under $1,000, I'll take that.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (79MakoL82)
You guys need to look at this month's (Dec '01) Chevy High Performance. It has special section called "Hot Heads!". They ranked the best flowing street heads between .300-.400 of valve lift. Basic logic was that gurus Yunick & Duntov believed concentrating on flow at 65-68% of max lift maximized the torque & HP curve. (i.e. .480 X .65 = .312)
1. AFR 190
2. Canfield 220
3. Canfield 195
4. Vortec Iron
5. AFR 180
6. AFR 210
7. TFS 195
8. Holley 300-570
9. World Sportsmen II
10. Dart Iron Eagle 220
11. Edelbrock Performer RPM
and so on....
Vortecs were picked as Best Buy at $429 complete. They had the best performance per dollar with the TFS 195s second ($899). AFRs best flowing but expensive (>$1200).
Since the Vortecs are iron and require a special intake, the aluminum TFS 195s would be my pick. Gee...guess what type of heads I have??? :D
Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 3:55 PM 10/15/2001]
1. AFR 190
2. Canfield 220
3. Canfield 195
4. Vortec Iron
5. AFR 180
6. AFR 210
7. TFS 195
8. Holley 300-570
9. World Sportsmen II
10. Dart Iron Eagle 220
11. Edelbrock Performer RPM
and so on....
Vortecs were picked as Best Buy at $429 complete. They had the best performance per dollar with the TFS 195s second ($899). AFRs best flowing but expensive (>$1200).
Since the Vortecs are iron and require a special intake, the aluminum TFS 195s would be my pick. Gee...guess what type of heads I have??? :D
Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 3:55 PM 10/15/2001]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (mdsmith)
mdsmith
How does your car drive at low RPMs? Which TFS are they talking about. I thought they had a CNC version that was about $100 more. I will have to check my Summit catalog tonight. Hopefully my CHP mag will be in my mailbox.
How does your car drive at low RPMs? Which TFS are they talking about. I thought they had a CNC version that was about $100 more. I will have to check my Summit catalog tonight. Hopefully my CHP mag will be in my mailbox.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (Rob's 73)
They do have a CNC version, but I think that puts them just over the $1,000 mark. Do you have someone locally that can do the job for a little less? Maybe a buddy that owes you a favor? :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (mdsmith)
MDSMITH - I don't know what to do my heads aren't even on your list. So I don't know what I'm going to do! :confused:
[Modified by gkull, 4:09 PM 10/15/2001]
[Modified by gkull, 4:09 PM 10/15/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (Rob's 73)
Rob,
My car runs great throughout the entire RPM range.
They listed both the standard 23 degree TFS heads (#31500001 - $895) and the CNC version (#30400001 - $995).
Mark
My car runs great throughout the entire RPM range.
They listed both the standard 23 degree TFS heads (#31500001 - $895) and the CNC version (#30400001 - $995).
Mark
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (gkull)
gkull...I guess since your heads are not on the The list, CHPs list, you'll just have to park your car AND if you're a CHP subscriber, forfeit your subscription until you can replace them with an acceptable, listed alternative. :D
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (mdsmith)
You guys seem to be pushing me back to the AFRs.
$1000 for the TFS -- I might as well get the AFRs for a couple of hundred more. My 10% coupon is only good for what is in their sale flyer (only choices there are the RPMs and Holley System Max IIs). Has anybody had any luck getting Summit to match competitors coupons? If I can get them to do that I would probably get the TFS for $900.
I want to change out my intake for the RPM airgap. Is there an adapter that will allow me to mount my spreadbore holley to it? If not, what would be the best choice in a new carb? What CFM? Would a 650 be enough for
355
AFR190s
~10 to 1 cr
CC XE268
or should I step up to a 750 cfm?
$1000 for the TFS -- I might as well get the AFRs for a couple of hundred more. My 10% coupon is only good for what is in their sale flyer (only choices there are the RPMs and Holley System Max IIs). Has anybody had any luck getting Summit to match competitors coupons? If I can get them to do that I would probably get the TFS for $900.
I want to change out my intake for the RPM airgap. Is there an adapter that will allow me to mount my spreadbore holley to it? If not, what would be the best choice in a new carb? What CFM? Would a 650 be enough for
355
AFR190s
~10 to 1 cr
CC XE268
or should I step up to a 750 cfm?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (Rob's 73)
You can't go wrong with the AFRs, just the extra $250 is only con.
There are spread to square bore adapters (i.e. Mr. Gasket) but I have never used them. Edelbrock makes a speadbore Performer Air Gap but not the RPM.
As to the best carb, the same CHP issue that has the aforementioned head info has a carb shootout between 650-750cfm Demons & Holleys, both vacuum & mechanical secs. Same street & strip car/engine comparison, Demons had the best 1/4 mi. ETs on all. The Demon 750 mech had the best ET overall.
Although conventional wisdom says go conservative, I would go with a 750 Demon maybe the vacuum sec version if your concerned with over doing it. I like the Demons billet components and overall design over the Holleys which haven't really been updated since their inception (35+ years ago).
Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 10:30 AM 10/16/2001]
There are spread to square bore adapters (i.e. Mr. Gasket) but I have never used them. Edelbrock makes a speadbore Performer Air Gap but not the RPM.
As to the best carb, the same CHP issue that has the aforementioned head info has a carb shootout between 650-750cfm Demons & Holleys, both vacuum & mechanical secs. Same street & strip car/engine comparison, Demons had the best 1/4 mi. ETs on all. The Demon 750 mech had the best ET overall.
Although conventional wisdom says go conservative, I would go with a 750 Demon maybe the vacuum sec version if your concerned with over doing it. I like the Demons billet components and overall design over the Holleys which haven't really been updated since their inception (35+ years ago).
Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 10:30 AM 10/16/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 1
From: Elkhorn WI
Re: Need help selecting Heads! (mdsmith)
There are spread to square bore adapters (i.e. Mr. Gasket) but I have never used them. Edelbrock makes a speadbore Performer Air Gap but not the RPM.
products...they now make a RPM SPREADBORE Too and many others..
even in the polished....*BLING,BLING*
-J
