i plan on buying a set of aluminum heads for my 355 small block ,but i haven't seen any
shootouts or comparative articles on which
heads provide the best bang for the buck.
i am looking at trick-flows,edelbrocks,a.f.r.
or holley . any information would help guide my 1000.00 to the right place.the cam in this
motor has 280 degrees adv. duration, .550 lift, 106 lobe centers. compression is 10:1
balanced,headers,750 holley, blah,blah,blah

The AFR heads have the best flow numbers, matched with somewhat small ports to give a great package. The Trick Flow twisted wedge heads also have good numbers (the 23 degree low cost head isn't bad itself). The Holley makes good flow, but I don't know anyone running them. The edelbrock rpm head has somewhat low flow numbers, but the small runner means fast flow for big torque. I know lots of people who are happy with these heads. Here are the numbers given for the different heads as pieced together from different magazine articles. Keep in mind the lift of your cam. Some big .6'' lift numbers may not help you.

AFR 190 Heads (190cc runner)
lift Flow (int/exh)
.1 71/67
.2 144/121
.3 208/157
.4 244/188
.5 262/202
.6 261/211

TFS twisted wedge (185cc runner?)
.1 73/69
.2 127/116
.3 186/155
.4 227/183
.5 254/204
.6 265/213

TFS 23 degree head (195cc runner)
.1 65/60
.2 133/102
.3 188/140
.4 226/164
.5 250/183
.6 264/194

Holley Head (186cc runner)
.1 56/53
.2 130/92
.3 184/122
.4 222/148
.5 242/172
.6 252/187

Edelbrock Rpm head (170cc runner)
.1 67/58
.2 130/108
.3 183/144
.4 226/170
.5 230/177
.6 236/187

AFR also has a 180cc head which Chevy High Perf mag recently did an article on. 9:1 compression 355 with out of the box AFR 180 heads and a comp cams XE268 equals 415 horses at 6000rpm and 430+ ft. lbs. for something like 1500rpm. 400+ ft. lbs. from 2900-5400rpm. Something like that.

The TFS 23 degree head was tested in the Goodwrench quest and made some big power, but in a somewhat more narrow powerband with a similar setup as that above (XE268 cam).

GO AFR 195cc they make monster torque and I have never heard a bad thing about em. Check out their web sit at www.airflowresearch.com (http://www.airflowresearch.com)

Unfortunately, i dont think we will ever see a real shootout between different manufacturors heads...same goes with intakes, cams, etc...only thing I can figure is that the magazines are afraid they will step on someones toes and lose some advertising bucks. To me, thats just wrong...without the direct comparisons none of the companys are going to try real hard to make a better product to compete with the others. Not too many years ago none of the mags were afraid to say if a product sucked.

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375hp 78 Chevy truck
77 Chevy Nova
95 Chevy Lumina 3.4L
and building a 78 Nova

AFR is the way to go http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

Chevy High Performance had a special pull out section on heads for SBC engines. They rated the Dart PRO1 the best bang for the buck!

AFR!!!hands down!

AFR is not going to meet your price point. They're great but consider what you need and where it's going to be used. For the street, Trick Flow is a fine value. I have the same consideration for next winter. I love AFR but practically speaking, the extra 200-300 bucks can buy other goodies.

Hey Boodlefoof,

Do you have tha flow numbers for the cast iron World Sportsman II and the Dart Iron Eagles.

Thanks

here is the flow for the sportsmans (as of a year ago) and the iron eagle 200cc runner heads...

World Sportsman II (200cc runner)
lift flow
.1 68/57
.2 132/106
.3 187/131
.4 225/150
.5 240/164
.6 253/172

Iron Eagle (200cc runner)
.1 65/59
.2 130/112
.3 182/139
.4 226/166
.5 258/178
.6 260/186

As you can see, the intake flows are pretty similar below .500 lift which is where most street driving is done. The exhaust port on the Iron Eagle is a bit stronger though. Check out the cheapie Vortec head.

Vortec (170cc runner, with 30 degree back cut on stock, non-swirl, exhaust valve) The before mentioned heads come with swirl polished valves with better flowing back sides.

.1 70/52
.2 139/113
.3 190/142
.4 227/159
.5 239/170
.6 241/172

Its numbers are pretty even below .500'' lift. Exhaust port is in between the Sportsman II and Iron Eagles.

The flow numbers on the vortec head are impressive, but what about the values you get with Dart and Sportsman heads, thicker decks, exhaust seat insert, better cooling, and better comb chambers. The Dart head also has bronze guides and comes bowl blended.At what point do you sacrifice power and reliability for money?

The vortecs come just like they did on trucks from the factory...they already have hardened seats, and the combustion chambers are as good, if not better, than the sportsmans or iron eagles. What they dont have is screw in studs, guideplates, or strong springs. If you already have an intake, rockers, and valve covers that you plan on using, then you wont be money ahead to go with the vortecs. I have a set on my truck and love them...but I also needed all the other pieces so it was still cheaper and I was amazed at the performance. Also, vortecs are pretty well maxxed out right out of the box (flow wise)...the aftermarket heads have more potential. If you really want to use a .550 lift cam, then you would need screw in studs installed on the vortecs, along with guideplates. Also, the vortecs are a lightweight head...not as thick (or heavy) as the other heads. Just something to think about.

------------------
375hp 78 Chevy truck
77 Chevy Nova
95 Chevy Lumina 3.4L
and building a 78 Nova

One other thing...those flow figures are for 2.02/1.60's on the sportsmans and iron eagles, while the vortecs use 1.94/1.50's...for an out of the box, low buck head, the vortecs kick a$$!

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375hp 78 Chevy truck
77 Chevy Nova
95 Chevy Lumina 3.4L
and building a 78 Nova