Hello Everyone....

This is Tony Mamo from AirFlow Research.....First I would like to say that I have been following this forum as a "reader only" for quite some time, and I think it is a top notch site that provides a wealth of information and offers different viewpoints on just about every conceivable "mod" a Corvette owner might consider. Its helped me numerous times to track down some information concerning my own Corvette "project" (2000 MN6 coupe) that I have been modifying in my quest for "Supercar" performance at a fraction of the cost.

I thought it was time I confirm rumors regarding AFR's upcoming release of our "LS" line of cylinder heads, and fill you guys in on some of the particulars. We will be producing at least three different configurations initially, the first two to be available some time this December, early 04' at the latest. Our 205cc head will be offered fully CNC ported with a smaller 200 cc "as cast" version offered as well. Even the "as cast" version should outflow a stock LS6 head by a fair margin, and do so with an 11 cc smaller intake port. Our focus with the entire new line of Gen III heads is efficiency....anyone reasonably talented with a grinder can make a bigger port flow more air....we try and raise the bar by offering a smaller port that can flow more air....not as easy to achieve but a very desirable situation if you are concerned with low speed torque production and stronger "average" power and torque figures. Our fully CNC ported 205 is barely larger than the stock LS1 cylinder head, and still 6 cc's smaller than the LS6 head, but flows 70 CFM and 40 CFM more respectfully on the intake side and shows about a 40 CFM gain on the exhaust side (I've seen very little difference in peak flow on the exhaust side comparing the LS1 and LS6 exhaust ports). Of course the low and midlift flow is alot stronger across the board as well. The 205 flows over 290 CFM @ .550 lift and peaks around 300 CFM @ .600.....the good news being the big flow numbers happen early at a liftpoint that is actually very usable with most performance cam choices. You can actually hear the intensity of the airspeed entering the intake port when checking the half inch lift and higher figures....At almost 1.5 CFM per cc, the new 205 is AFR's most efficient offering to date. Due to come out sometime early next year will be our 225 cc version with an even higher flowing intake and exhaust ports, and runner volume more suited to larger cubic inch applications or more aggresive blown/nitrous injected smaller engines. But don't rule out the 205 even in those applications if your trying to build a street motor that makes huge torque and power lower in the curve (everyday usable power), while still being able to put up some impressive peak figures also. The new heads will also feature a much more efficient heart shaped combustion chamber design with a "dual quench pad" for improved atomization. More good news there is the availability of 66 and 76 cc chambers as standard, with custom milling to yeild anything in between and as low as the mid 50 cc range if desired.

Well, I tried my best to keep this as brief and informative as possible....have alot more to share but didn't want to bore everyone with a two page long post. Feel free to post any questions you might have, and I will keep you guys in the loop regarding production dates and availability....Everybody here is pretty excited about the launch of this new product....if the "numbers" are indicative of anything....and they usually are....there will be some mighty unhappy Cobra owners out there!!

Regards,
Tony Mamo
AFR Sales and Product Design

 

Looks good. What does the dyno show over a set of stock or ported LS6 heads? Any data yet? I would hope about 1hp/cfm gain. Also, the Cobra owners are already unhappy :rofl:


[Modified by 427CPE, 10:37 PM 9/22/2003]

 

The more weapons for the LS1 the better the attack on cobras & vipers. :thumbs: :iagree: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

 

Thanks for the info! Keep us updated as to when they hit the streets. :cheers:

 

Sign me up for one of the first sets....I've swapped heads so many times myself, whats one more :lol:

Jon
http://www.ls1howto.com

 

I've been waiting FOREVER for you guys to come out with heads for these motors. It's about time. Now, I will buy some heads for my car.

 

Tony, how ya doin man? It is good to see you on this forum! :thumbs:

Your new heads sound like they are going to bring LS1s to the next level of power and efficiency.

Let me know if you need a big cube test car for the 225cc's! :D

We will soon be ready to bolt on your 357cc BBC heads on our 565ci.. :hurray:



[Modified by MattG, 8:16 AM 9/23/2003]

 

Hello Tony!

Thank you for intresting news. Can we exept to see some realworld dyno test with street motors with stock cams? Do you have any idea how stock LS6 would respond heads only swap?

 

Tony I cannot wait for ur heads to come out. Judging by how late u came to the 5.0 market with the 165 and the 185 heads and the awesome results u had I'm sure ur raising the bar again for everyone. I have one question though about the LS heads. What will u be doing about the the spring pockets? It seems that were very limited to valve spring choice with only the 1.27 pocket. Even though Crane(dual) and Comp(beehive) and everyone else has a springs for some very aggressive lobes(X-ER) failure of the springs has been too common for most LS1/6 users. Please don't forget to address this issue when they finally come to the market. Also please keep in mind the latest popularity of the truck 5.3 head which has a smaller chamber which bumps compression and hp. These 5.3 heads are building a strong following quickly-this was going to be my choice but know I'll have to wait to see ur product-actually I can't wait-let's see these babies ASAP!

 

That sounds very interesting! What size valves are you using on the 205cc and 225cc heads? Lastly, what is the price range the two heads will targeted for?

Keith

 

It took you guys long enough,,,,I guess the C4 l98/lt1 business was good and you finally decided to help out the C5. Your heads have always been well regarded and seem to be the industry standard mod for other cars. Looking at your preliminary numbers it is obvious why the heads are so go. I already have my setup but I am glad to see you guys making heads for LSx motors. :thumbs:

 

awesome. I'll have to rethink my head strategy now. But thats not a bad thing!

I've got a set of 195 AFR heads on my 350 in my truck. And they kick !@#$. I'm sure these "LS" heads will rock as well. I guess we'll probably have to wait a couple months before flow charts and dyno graphs start showing up, but probably worth the wait if thease heads are anything like their other products - and I don't see why they wouldn't be.

Now Tony M, if I could just convince you guys to start making some nice aluminum 351 Cleveland heads, I'd be in heaven ;-)

 

What will the approximate flow be on the 225cc heads?TIA.

 

It is amazing to see the advances made in the LSX heads over the last year. The HP is going up and the cost is coming down. Can't wait until these make it to market. :cheers:

 

:iagree: :cheers:

 

Our fully CNC ported 205 is barely larger than the stock LS1 cylinder head, and still 6 cc's smaller than the LS6 head, but flows 70 CFM and 40 CFM more respectfully on the intake side and shows about a 40 CFM gain on the exhaust side (I've seen very little difference in peak flow on the exhaust side comparing the LS1 and LS6 exhaust ports). Of course the low and midlift flow is alot stronger across the board as well. The 205 flows over 290 CFM @ .550 lift and peaks around 300 CFM @ .600.....the good news being the big flow numbers happen early at a liftpoint that is actually very usable with most performance cam choices


*** As a quick reference...my LPE/SCCA LS6 heads (2.02/1.57 ) flow 312cfm BUT they have 250+ cc runners. These heads will be KILLER!! :yesnod: :yesnod:

***Here's a Link to J-Rod's great Head Compare -

http://users3.ev1.net/~black_ops/heads/ls6%20heads.jpg :thumbs:

 

Hello again....

I wanted to touch on some of the topics you guys were asking about. One
thing I forgot to mention in my first post is the casting integrity of the
new AFR head.....major improvement over the stock castings. Anyone that has
seen any of AFR's other products can vouch for the casting quality....total
overkill in the strength department (.750 thick deck, reinforced rockerstud
pads, thicker spring pockets, etc.) If anything, they are probably heavier
than you might like, but I'll take those couple of extra pounds of aluminum
anytime. Ok....some issues brought up by you guys:

Valve sizes: 200 and 205cc heads will be fitted with 2.02/1.6

225cc (Only available CNC ported) 2.08/1.6

Spring Pockets: Standard spring pocket will be cut for a 1.250 spring.

Our standard spring will be non-beehive 1.250 with more

seat/open pressure than stock (130/330lbs). Upgrade

to 1.450 and 1.550 (Shaft System only @ 1.550)


As far as dyno testing, currently no information available as we do not have
a pair of pre-production heads to test yet. I will be bolting a set on top
of my own engine with a camswap at the same time....more than likely
sometime around Nov. or Dec. My current combo is very typical "max bolt-on"
scenario, and last generated a best of 346 @ the wheels. I'm bolting on a
pair of Bassani long tube headers shortly, and I'm hoping to see a 20 HP
gain with that install. I will have those dyno figures as a baseline prior
to the head/cam swap later this year. Rick Sperling, one of the AFR owners,
also has a 2000 coupe with an automatic (currently is absolutely bone
stock), that we will be doing some testing on as well. We are considering a
blower install on his car after the new AFR heads are installed.

Someone had asked about expected performance gains with just a head swap on
a Z06 application. My best " conservative" guess is a gain of 40-45 peak
HP@ the wheels, with a huge gain in the middle and lower part of the torque
and power curve due to the much higher flowing smaller intake port. I would
expect to see stronger gains in real world performance (ET/MPH/throttle
response and engine acceleration) than the peak numbers might suggest due to
the fact that the "average" power and torque figures will be much
higher....not just peak power.

Now for the really good news...Low Introductory Pricing!!

A fully assembled ready to bolt on 200cc "as cast" will retail
around $1800.00

The fully CNC ported 205 will retail for $2499.00

225cc pricing N/A at this time, but will be slightly higher than
our 205

(Projected flow figures: 320/245 @.600 lift)

Titanium retainers are standard, not an option.

All pricing is complete....parts and assembly labor included.

Spring upgrades and custom milling will be extra.

Bare heads both ported and un-ported will be available....not
sure of exact pricing yet.

Also, I wanted to mention that our 200cc "as cast" head will actually be
partially CNC ported in the bowls, so it will be a good flowing piece and
something worth consideration right out of the box. The CNC bowl blend will
guarantee consistency and is one more extra effort that AFR invests to
insure the finished product flows as much as possible.

One more thing to add, while I'm thinking about it....the 205cc flow figures
I quoted in my previous post were recorded utilizing a 3.910 bore
fixture....On a 4.125 fixture, the higher lift figures showed a 5-7 CFM
improvement.

Well, that's it for now....more to come soon I'm sure.


Regards,
Tony M.


PS Matt...How's it going?? Great job on that torque tube.....destroying the first and scoring on the second!!!

 

:lurk: i hope i can wait till december??????

 

Sounds like new heads and new intake will all hit the market around Christmas. Sounds like some cool presents. Now, a couple of things to ask from Tony.

Can you:

State which bench you are flowing these on, and at what depression (25" or 28")?

Can you do a test at 3.900. I know you are doing your testing a 3.910 but I just wanted to make sure it apples to apples.

Once you have your preliminary numbers can you flow test them with an LS6 intake and a pipe in place on the exhaust so we can see how they work with an intake bolted up?

Thanks for your time...

 

I just read Tony'd last post. I'm sitting here giggling like a little girl. I can't wait.

Many people overlook velocity and grab heads with big CFM numbers. AFR not only makes heads with great peak potential, but they are also killer under the curve. lets all say this at once.. ready.. one... two... three... VELOCITY!