I recently became very interested in the idea of a new set of heads. I currently have a 218/232 comp cam in with 1.6 roller rockers. The first company I've been looking into is AFR. Any other suggestions? I'd like a set of 195cc but I'm not sure if thats too much. Also with a stock bottom end would it be wise to get a smaller than stock combustion chamber. Also how big is the stock lt1 head combustion chamber. Thanks in advance.

 

The stock LTx combustion chambers are 55cc. AFR will make the heads for you to that spec but no smaller. A set of 195cc heads will be a good choice for your engine and will offer room to grow for future mods. It is a good compromise between streetability and performance as well. With the 195s even with the competition CNC porting the ports are still small enough to provide good flow and velocity which is k ey good low end torq. Yet have enough flow for good top end power as well as compared to a stock head. For even more performance enhancement you could upgrade to AFRs LT4 offerings, which will mandate replacing your present LT1 intake for a LT4 intake manifold.

You could also use a set of Impala headgaskets which are .010" thinner to give you a little more added static compression, that too will help you with a few additional ponies.

The only bad thing about AFR heads is the wait to get them, presently their LTx offerings are a minimum of 12 to 16 weeks. Unless they have some in the works and a customer cancels the order which is rare these days. As an alternative TPIS has their AFR 187cc heads which are CNC ported which flows a bit less than the 195s, but these are still a very good head if you can't wait for a set of 195s.

 

Actually the Impala head gaskets are .020" thinner than the OEM Y & F body gasket. They'll add nearly a half point and get you close to 11:1 CR. Also, why not just get your heads ported? They can be done to significantly outflow LT4 heads (in stage III) and save you some $ in the process.