AFR heads on my 302?

[1967stang302]

I was doing my usual search of 302 build ups to find a good idea to copy and get some real power and I think I found a good one.

What I have: 302 from a '69 with a RV cam, hypereutectic pistons, stock intake, stock heads, headman headers, T-5. I have no idea as to my rear gear or my compression. I have PS, plan on adding PB, Removed AC (It's cold enough in Sweden) and am installing a 120Amp alternator and would rather not use pulleys because I need all the electrical power I can get to power my accessories.

Well, I want the most power possible without having to stroke the engine. I want to find a combo or heads, cam, intake manifold, carb and possibly new headers. If anyone can help me think of a good setup, please speak up. as for what I want, I want to be able to kick anyones %^& that comes up next to me. The most HP possible without a stroker kit or changing out the engine. The latest build up I saw was
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0307_ford/
and they praise AFR heads like they are the Holy Grrrrrrail, but my block is hydraulic flat tappet, and these heads say they are roller, anything I have to do to make it work with my engine? and if I have to go flat tappet, I know roller tip rockers would be better. I was thinking the 185cc non-emission.
I was also wondering if I should go dual plane like the build up or if a single plane would give me more power, and what cam teamed up with these heads and intake would give me the best power, and one day be able to manage a paxton 1200. That will be some time off, but it is a future plan. I also have stock fuel water and oil pumps, should I upgrade those?


Well, I gave as much info as I know to minimize the flames and requests for info I do not know

 

[mustangdave]

AFR heads are great but you must choose the right ones. You want to keep your compression up around 9.5:1 to 10:1. This depends alot on what pistons you have, (dished, flat top, or domed), and the combustion chamber size of the head. ou do not need a roller cam or roller rockers to use these heads; just order the correct ones.
The Edelbrock RPM Air Gap would be an excellent street intake aong with a good four barrel carb, headers, and exhaust. If upgrading the cam, you want to check piston to valve clearance before starting up.

 

[1967stang302]

So essentially in order to pair up the right heads and cam, I need to know my compression and the type of pistons I have is that what I'm hearing? That sucks because I would have to pull off the heads to see the pistons. bleh.... I guess I'll get some help on this one then.

 

[jbuening]

Not to hijack the thread, but i have a similar question. In order to put on heads with larger valves, you can't use the stock pistons correct? I have a 70 351w (2 barrel) tha have the valve reliefs in the stock pistons but i was under the assumption that the reliefs aren't large enough for the big valves of AFR heads. Is this true? Sorry to hijack.

 

[DarkoStoj]

on a 302 you say you want maximum power n/a, this is a route I would take

AFR185 heads
10.5-11 compression
victor jr intake
Comp Cams XR280R solid roller camshaft
Mech secondary 750 cfm carb
manual trans, or automatic with a stall
4.10+ rear gear
accufab long tube headers

just beware that this motor will be low on the bottom end torque side, but that has to be sacrificed if you want to make the HP up top with RPMs.

 

[Dark Knight]

If you want to keep it mild but make good HP, AFR165's 58cc heads with stud mount rockers, performer RPM or air gap, holley avenger carb, 570 or 670, comp cams xe268h. Easily good for 300+HP at the wheels..

 

[SoCalCruising]

If you use AFR 185s, you must use a piston with large valve reliefs. If you don't want to swap pistons, use the 165s with smaller valves. IMHO, a 750DP is too much carb. A 600 or 650 DP would be plenty with a hydraulic cam and the associated top RPMs that it would yield (6500, or so, tops). The ports on the RPM intake are a very poor match to AFR's (almost) oval intake ports - they have a generous radius at each corner while the RPM is much more square. Because the the runner design (very little taper), it is hard to properly port-match the intake without the exit having a larger cross section that the upstream runner - a definite no-no. I tried the RPM AirGap and wound up trashing it in favor of a Stealth intake (same as on the Car Craft build). This intake has generous taper (associated with better top end power than constant-cross-section runners) and can be port matched to the AFRs. A flat tappet cam is fine. I would talk to a cam grinder with experience with AFRs and get a cam to match your intentions and your combo. A custom flat tappet is not as expensive as a roller and will yield very good power. The standard AFR springs are flat tappet springs, BTW.

 

[Sicarius428]

AFR makes a great head. You are probably better off with the 165s for a non-stroker application. The 185 will probably require you to notch your piston to accomodate the bigger valve.
Kevin