I'm pretty clueless about small blocks but a buddy I work with
has a '75 and is planning a build. I'm getting interested - it's
more great fun learning about new stuff.

I've read enough threads to think that the AFRs are a good choice.

Question number one:

What is the correct AFR head for a Performer RPM?

I've seen people say that the 195 is for Victors only but I've
copied these stats from the AFR and Edelbrock sites.

AFR site

AFR 190

Intake Port Gasket: 1.230"x1.990" Fel Pro #1256, AFR #6815


AFR 195

Intake Port Gasket, 1.280”x2.090” Fel Pro #1205, AFR #6810

Edelbrock site

Performer

Fel-Pro #1256


Performer RPM

Fel-Pro #1205


Victor

Fel-Pro #1205 or #1206

It seems like the RPM and Victor manifolds have the same intake
size? The fact that two gasket sizes are listed for the Victor and
only one for the RPM disturbs me...

Question number two:

What size AFRs do you guys like? Let's assume a 383 or 406.
If you like a different one for each let me know! The AFR site says:

190

perfect street head for 327 cid to 350 cid engines

195

perfect street head for 350 cid to 400 cid

210

perfect head for 350 to 400 cid engines in bracket drag cars, sportsman oval trackers, and highly modified street class cars operating between 3000 and 7500 rpm (higher rpm ranges possible depending on combination of parts).

Thats 210 is a little broad, but I've seen plenty of posts that like 'em...


Question number three:

Are AFR heads the way to go? He could definetely save some
bucks with some other brands...

This is my first tech question post. I love this site!

 

Your head intake port determines the intake size. IMO get the biggest first so you don't have to upgrade later. The more CFM the head flows the less cam you have to use to get the same power level.

 

Call them and ask them what they think. They have good advice. I too thought that an RPM performer would best go with a 195cc head, they asked me what were my intentions with the car (straight line drag racing, lumpy idle, no streetability, etc). I just wanted to have a somewhat fast engine that I could still drive around town. If you want to turn 10000 RPMs like some people here, then go with the biggest & most expensive :rolleyes: . If you look at many of their (AFR) 383 build-ups, you'll notice they used 190cc heads. It all depends on what you want to do.

 

Thanks for the replies!

 

I would go with the 195's. I think it is more important to match the head's intake than to get the little (if any) more torque from the 5cc smaller runner.

 

AFR's are great heads, as are Trick Flow's. But before you make a selection, may I suggest checking into Pro Topline. They are a relativly new company that makes iron and alumn heads, that is kicking butt on the racing circiut. Their lower cc'd head flow numbers compare favorably, even beat, the higher cc competition. My iron 180cc flow numbers beat Trick Flow's alum 190's and compare to AFR's 190's.. at nearly half the cost. I am no Hi-perfomance expert by any stretch, and am not knowledgable enough to argue the details, but I can read numbers...and I like Pro Topline's products. The new Summit Catalog has all their products, and their website is Protopline.com. I also have a 72 page catalog they sent to me via email, that includes all flow #'s for all their heads. You can request one from their website. Good Luck with your decision.
Ed :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

 

The 195s are correct for Fel Pro 1205 gaskets, which is what the RPM and the Victor Jr. use. Talking to AFR techs is like shooting craps, take what they say (even about their own products) with a grain of salt. The 190s are designed to mate up with Fel Pro 1256, stock or Performer intakes. If you have a RPM intake, then go for the 195s or even larger heads, depending on how much streetability vs power you don't mind sacrificing, and your future plans. BTW you probably know the only difference between 190/195 is the inch or half inch of port by the intake gasket.

I believe Victor Jr/Super Victors come as 1205s and to get them larger you can gasket match them, or they offer a CNC gasket matched version.

AFRs are great heads, if you want performance then get them or get other heads and pay someone to port them. Depends on how much performance you want. AFRs seem to have good resale, too, because everyone wants "AFR heads". If you get into high dollar stuff, then you might want to re-evaluate, but that is when you hit $1500-2500+ for a pair of heads.

I do have a set of 195s for sale which have less than 10k miles on them but need some valve guide work.

Rob




[Modified by robzr, 5:41 PM 4/24/2002]

 

Rob
2 different techs said the same thing, perhaps I should start gambling?
Aside from the FelPro gasket number (which I am sure is important) must also take into consideration the cam you will have in the engine.
Also, according to Summit, my RPM performer mates with FPP 1256. Which is what you said mates with the 190's so the AFR tech's were correct!! You need to take into consideration the entire set-up, my RPM performer is 7104, which uses the Q-jet, not the Holley.



[Modified by Jazn74, 2:48 PM 4/25/2002]

 

Again thank for the replies! We're picking up here...

It still all seems a little up in the air. robzr has said pretty much
what I've read so far in the manufacturer's tech specs. (I'll tell the
guy I work with about your 195s - we're all in the Chicago area -
which is nice).

So my take is that the AFR 190/195s are about the best small block
heads. I got a differing suggestion offline from a highly respected forum
member that I'm going to look into. I'll also look into the Pro Toplines -
thanks Silvr77.

Now, what Jazn74 has said is a little disturbing. The tech guys are
saying the RPM matches up with the Felpro 1256, which directly
contradicts what the Edelbrock site says. I really like Summit but
who knows?

 

There are two types of RPM performer, one to fit a Holley (or similar carb) or one to fit a Quadrajet. If you look at the specs on these different intakes in the Summit catalog or the Edelbrock cat. you will see that the intake for a Holley (or similar carb) is recommended to use FPP 1205. Where as when you look at the specs for the intake that matches the Quadrajet the recommended FPP is 1256. IF you have a Holley carb or plan to go with a Holley carb then you would get the FPP 1205. If you want to stay with the Q-jet then you go with the FPP 1256. That's why I said you need to know all the parameters.
Hope this helps.
PS I would assume then that if you go with the Holley design intake, that the 195 would be a better match-up. And vice versa.

 

Excellent! That clears things up.

I think I'll head over to the speed shop tomorrow and
compare the two sikes of gaskets.

Thanks again!