head choice





your probably going to want 1.6 ratio rockers on your intake valve of either head to prevent sonic choking after 5000 rpm.
here is a comparison of a 327 with ported stockers and a smaller cam and AFR 210s with a bigger cam.

Its about the right velocity too much and too little is bad, in a street motor too much is a preferable problem.
210s on a 7000rpm 327 isnt unreasonable when one of the winning motors(top 5) was a 302 with AFR 195s.
I think the cam was too big for the RPM range of the competition.
What I do like about AFR heads, are the larger valves. Their 195 heads come with 2.05 and 2.08 valves. The big valves keep rocker ratios reasonable on street motors. Most of the rest is marketing fluff, YMMV.
But in a warmed over 350 we are talking about .54 lift
as you know the engine masters is a competition best overall tq/hp numbers 2500 to 6500 rpm, 2008 Jon Kasse used an 1150 dominator on a 400 ford cleaveland to win the competition.







If you quickly run down the list of components you plan on running, compression ratio, and the type of driving you plan to use it for I would be happy to throw my two cents in regarding what I think might work best and why.
Also, weight of the car, type of transmission, and rear end ratio is also important.
Right off the bat I would say unless the owner is very conservative and wants to place alot of emphasis on part throttle response at low RPM, the 195 street heads make a solid choice because they will work OK down low on a 350 with the right complimenting components (an Air Gap dual plane really helps with the 195's) and run strong upstairs to 6500 or so making very solid peak numbers.
Also, the other thing I like about the larger head choice is most people bitten by the HP bug never lose the need or desire for MORE, and the 195 street eliminators would be a much better choice on a potential 383 or 400 CID piece your not thinking about yet but might be 2-3 years from now.
The new 195 street Elim head flows 10 CFM's better than our former version in the Comp package. They are the bargain of this decade in a bolt on affordable street head that is capable of well over 500 HP in the right combination (fairly aggressive solid roller, 11 to 1 CR or better, ported Super Vic, 1.75 headers, etc.). Note a larger engine can make this type of power in milder trim at a lower RPM as well (displacement rules on the street).
Now if the owner doesnt ever street race, never goes to the track, is running a small cam, and just wants a bunch more power everywhere including off idle and cruising around the new 180 would still make decent peak numbers (the same or better than our former street 195's) but offer a bit more low speed part throttle performance than the same combo with our 195's.
The real reality of the situation is there isn't a bad choice to make here....only two good choices....but the more honest the guy footing the bill can be about his current and future needs, the better we can make a recommendation that just may optimize his driving style a little better over the long and short haul.
Some people reading this will think to themselves....Im a 180 guy.....others who were thinking 180 might stop and say the 195's are possibly making a bit more sense. Its really about the type of hot rodder you are more than anything else and where your priorities lie.
Spend the money and get a 180 Comp package if you cant decide and want almost the best of both worlds

Are you more confused now than ever?....LOL
-Tony
Last edited by Tony Mamo @ AFR; Nov 20, 2009 at 01:17 PM.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

I believe it is going to make a respectable street car out of it. Only thing I did not order was head gaskets and push rods. I will have to wait till I get some measurements. Then I am sure there will be questions about that.
AFR 180cc Heads
Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
Lunati flat tappet cam duration 268/276, Lift .489/.504
2400 stall converter
Lunati roller rockers 1.5
Gear drive timing gears
Last edited by no4n4me; Nov 20, 2009 at 08:13 PM.
I believe it is going to make a respectable street car out of it. Only thing I did not order was head gaskets and push rods. I will have to wait till I get some measurements. Then I am sure there will be questions about that.
AFR 180cc Heads
Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
Lunati flat tappet cam duration 268/276, Lift .489/.504
2400 stall converter
Lunati roller rockers 1.5
Gear drive timing gears

forget gear drive of any sort.
use a good chain & sprocket set ... ANY Cloyes will be fine for flat tappet .500" & AFR 180 FT springs ... even the cheap p/n C-3023K . I'd go for p/n 9-1100 .
- Head choice needs to be matched to the vehicle, not just the engine.
- Head choice is based on priorities for the engine. (max power, street driving, etc.)
- Flow only benefits the combo if you use it. (cam, gears, trans, driving style etc.)
- Think long-term and buy the head for where you - realistically - want to be.
- Tony is a cool guy and we're lucky to have his expertise on the forum.
Last edited by billla; Nov 24, 2009 at 11:55 AM.





- Head choice needs to be matched to the vehicle, not just the engine.
- Head choice is based on priorities for the engine. (max power, street driving, etc.)
- Flow only benefits the combo if you use it. (cam, gears, trans, driving style etc.)
- Think long-term and buy the head for where you - realistically - want to be.
- Tony is a cool guy and we're lucky to have his expertise on the forum.
Lift on line # 3 is an important consideration. The AFR 195 is much better than the 180 once you get over .500 lift. Sub .500 lift they are not so different.
with Tony though. The 180 comp ported head is the best of both worlds..............for another $600.







