best value in sbf heads?

[UncleAl]

What's the concensus on best value for after-market small-block Ford heads? I'm leaning toward Edlebrock Vic Jr, although I'm considering AFR 185's or TFS Twisted Wedge. I'm planning on stroking a 351w. I may see what I can find used as well. I don't want to spend more than $1200 bucks if I can help it. My goal is of course the most power and torque I can get.

[blykins]

I'm happy with my Vic Jr's.....ordered them bare with valves only and assembled them with the correct cups, shims, springs, retainers, etc. for my cam.....I don't think I have more than $1200 in them...maybe a little bit more....can't remember.

[TerrysSPF]

I have a buddy with Vic Jr's on his 408 and it makes a little over 500HP. How far are you wanting to stroke it? 392; 408; 418? I would consider the AFR205 if you go larger than 392. I remember reading an article about someone changing the GT40x heads on the FMS392 crate engine for a set of AFR185's. Just that change alone preduced another 70-75HP (if I remember right).
They're a little more than 1200.00 bucks though.
You could go with the Vic Jr's and later on down the line (as $$$ becomes more available) have them CNC ported. Go over to Keith Craft Racing's website and see what they think.

[trularin]

CowtownCobra is selling his set, already to go.

Check it out.

[pequa joe]

Try this web..www.fordmuscle.com click on forums scroll to archives click on strokers. Lots of info.

[Dennis Kelley]

Best bang for the buck I think is the AFR or the Twisted wedge. just remember that other things have to be bought like hardened pushrods, rockers, ect. Don't go cheap you will be dissapointed in your hp numbers. I don't think your budget is big enough. I would plan on 1500.00 if you shop around. Ed curtis At flowtech induction is the AFR guru. I'm sure he can sell you AFR 185's for 1,350.00 to your door. I bought off of him excellent service. Do a google search. I just don't know much about the twisted wedge head but a fellow mustang owner in town has them on 347 and they made good numbers.

Later good luck

[CowtownCobra]

Thanks Trularin. Link to what I'm selling: heads

[UncleAl]

Thank you for the replies. Pequa Joe, thanks a lot for the tip on www.fordmuscle.com stroker archives. Wow, what a wealth of knowledge. After reading a few of the threads, I ended up looking at the Pro Cyclone heads at Flatlanders. Looks like a pretty good value for good flow.

CowtownCobra, thanks for the link. I'm still a ways off from making a purchase. Still doing research, weighing my options.

I found this chart on Ford head flow. It seemed to be pretty comprehensive and listed most sbf heads and the flow #'s.

http://home.isoa.net/~mharrisj/fordhead.html

I'll keep readin' and learnin' and one of these days maybe I'll get it all together.

Thanks again. Uncle Al

[powerpagers]

Hey;
I got a 347 stroker for my 65 and after long deliberation went with Roush 200s

[Rick Parker]

Is there any difference between the Roush head and those from World Products? I thought they were very similar if not the same????


Rick

[CEAborn62]

Uncle Al:
The best place for your AFR 185 heads is at www.adperformance.com The best deal on the net. $1309.00 for the regular sprung heads with shipping included.

[Rich A]

Power Heads: CNC Ported $795 a set
www.powerheads.com

[CEAborn62]

These heads are Aluminum heads not cast iron heads. They are one of the best flowing CNC Aluminum heads on the market and not available on the site you referred to.

[trs900]

Just wandering if anyone has put AFR 205's on a 392 Ford crate stroker 430hp from ford.. I was told by a knowlegable person that I would be happier with the 205's over the 185's..

[Tinker51]

I have one word for you.

Dart.

[RACER X #99]

trs 900
I have the AFR 205's on my Dart 408 and It makes plenty of power for me 615 HP @6,600 and 580ft. lbs torque @4,700.
BUT this not a streetable combination because of real agressive cam (don't ask)
Who needs a Big Block?

[trs900]

Thanks racerx.. I was worried that I would loose low end torque using 205's.. a little would'nt hurt as I have plenty now.. 205's over 185's wonder how much more hp they would give.. hopefully usable..

[ERA-FIA]

Hi, I installed AFR 205's on my Ford Motorsport 392 last winter and can say they they ran great all year. Currently building a new Dart based motor which will use those heads.

P.S. valve clearance was not an issue.

[MidOHasp]

Originally posted by trs900


Thanks racerx.. I was worried that I would loose low end torque using 205's.. a little would'nt hurt as I have plenty now.. 205's over 185's wonder how much more hp they would give.. hopefully usable..

TRS...don't forget about your cam profile.

If your 392 is currently making 430HP, swapping out and putting on the AFR 205's is going to be best done with a cam swap as well.

I am just over 500HP on a 408 with 205cc heads. 544TQ. Basically switch those numbers, give or take 10HP and TQ, for 205cc heads.

On a 392 with the cam profile required to make 430HP, your best bet would be 185's. You would see a more proportional increase in both HP and TQ because it is just a better head than what you have now, but similar port sizes, most likely.

Hey...you mentioned a "knowledgeable source" . . . we're ALL "knowledgeable sources"

If you ask 1,000 engine builders 205cc or 185cc AFR's for a 392 with your numbers, you will get about half of each answer, I bet.

To each builder, a different opinion.

Dart makes great stuff. I like my AFR's... If I were to "improve" my motor, I'd put a solid cam in w/ a little more lift & duration, go to 205cc heads, and bump compression up 1/2 point. That would probably take me from 508 to 575-600 range (HP)...

FWIW

[Jim Downard]

Uncle Al,
I've got a fairly mild 393W and I'm running a set of Roush 200 heads. They are cast iron and come assebled with S.S. Manley valves for around $850-900 for the set. I've got stock rods, KB 9:1 pistons, a "good" comp cams camshaft, roller rockers, edelbrock Perf RPM intake with 750 cfm performer carb. I have a solid 360 rwhp at 5750 rpm, and rear wheel torque is 400 ft lb from 2750 - 4750. I can drive it down to about 1800-1900 rpm. Much lower than that and it gets upset with me. Most estimate that I'm close to 425 at the flywheel. I really like the bang for the buck the Roush's give back.
Just my .02 worth.
Jim Downard