is bigger better? heads
04-30-2008, 09:52 AM
#1
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: N.Y.
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is bigger better? heads
185cc heads seems like the better size. Bigger is better I guess but in order to put 185cc in my car I would have to notch out the pistons for valve clearance. And if I go with 165cc they will fit fine clearance wise. I don’t mind notching out the pistons but is it worth the time and money over 165cc heads. How much better are 185cc over 165cc heads. And I was thinking of going with AFR heads on a 87gt 302What do you guys think?
04-30-2008, 10:39 AM
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2006
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RE: is bigger better? heads
I always go conservative, so I bought the AFR 165s and put them on my stock 302 bottom end with a Trick Flow stage one cam and Trick Flow street intake. It had awesome low end torque, I made 288 rwhp and 311 rwtq with a 100,000 mile short block. I ran 12.50s at 108-109 no problem with a 3360 pound car.I put those same heads on my 331 which I know coul really benefit from the 185s but I had them and the guys at AFR said to try them they will suprise you how well they work and they have. I have seen dyno articles in magazines and they proved that there was no low end torque loss between the 165s vs. 185s but the 185s made more horsepower in the upper rpm ranges. After the research I have done, get the 185s they will make great powerand they will have room to grow.
but i think i would have to notch them out myself.I dont kno of any shops in upper new york that will do this=(
04-30-2008, 11:24 AM
#7
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RE: is bigger better? heads
AFR's for sure aluminum... you'll be happy... and you ask about camshafts. Is this a n20 car, or n/a?
Any good shop can tell you a nice cam to go with on those type of heads....
comp 232/240 w/ .560-.570 lift if its a built motor ... butif its a stock bottm end look for a220ish duration cam with lift nohigher then .540--- gotta watch piston tovalve clearance... Andthe comp XE cam--- dont even bother withthem, just need a typical street/strip cam..
In upper NY-- i've heard of a couple mustang/ performanceshops there... and have called a shop up there one time... google it, or i'll re-post if i find it.
Any good shop can tell you a nice cam to go with on those type of heads....
comp 232/240 w/ .560-.570 lift if its a built motor ... butif its a stock bottm end look for a220ish duration cam with lift nohigher then .540--- gotta watch piston tovalve clearance... Andthe comp XE cam--- dont even bother withthem, just need a typical street/strip cam..
In upper NY-- i've heard of a couple mustang/ performanceshops there... and have called a shop up there one time... google it, or i'll re-post if i find it.
04-30-2008, 11:46 AM
#9
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RE: is bigger better? heads
yeah they make some nice intakes also Trick Flow is a good brand and performer as well... you'll for sure open that thing up... you'll be happy with it i'm sure, especially with a set of AFR's, and a nice intake system.
04-30-2008, 12:54 PM
#10
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Posts: 798
RE: is bigger better? heads
I personally do not like having a custom camshaft built around the valve size (clearance wise). The large intake valve size limits the potential a bit.
If you are cool with grinding a little from the piston valve relief and increasing the radial clearance, the AFR 185cc will do fine.
As said, a custom camshaft will help.
If you are cool with grinding a little from the piston valve relief and increasing the radial clearance, the AFR 185cc will do fine.
As said, a custom camshaft will help.