Aluminium heads: Edelbrock or Trick Flow?

[Max Power]

edit: Trick Flow makes a big deal that their heads can run the 2.02 intake valve on stock windsors without flycutting. I don't think Edelbrock says the same. Both should work fine with the 1.94 intake valve.

While Edelbrock only promises that their 1.90 intake heads will clear stock pistons, the flow chart indicates that the 1.90s flow almost exactly the same as the 2.02s.

 

[sixtynine Mach]

Think about your future plans when buying heads becasue they are very expenise.

Alex

Buying heads is expenise? Forget it, I'm never buying heads again!
But seriously, I'm using the Performer RPM's with an Air Gap and the torque is awesome. They aren't exotic by todays standards but they certainly get the job done.

 

[67GTCOUPE]

Another Edelbrock vote.

Ran their puny 1.90/1.60 RPMs on my 351w...WOW!

I am putting them on my 393........does that tell you they will flow more than enough for a 289-302.

 

[my66coupe]

quick hi jack.........for someone running a 289/302 and with stock worked heads, that upgraded to a performer/ trick flow head. Which only have the smallest of 60 cc.....would you lose power by going to a larger combustion chamber? Afr does offer their 185s with 54 and 58cc.......... Ive heard many saying that i would actually lose power with a larger combustion chamber....see sig for the rest of mods. thanks

Mike

 

[2bav8]

AFR doesn't offer a 54 cc head, only 58 cc and 61 cc.

 

[06cobra]

Another Edelbrock vote.

Ran their puny 1.90/1.60 RPMs on my 351w...WOW!

I agree

 

[302 coupe]

the compression loss is minor and has an insignificant effect on power. You could always 'cam' around the compression issue anyway by selecting a cam with little overlap, that will help build cylinder pressure (dynamic compression).

Given 2 engines with identical 'street' builds, one with the 10:1 compression, the other with say 9:1 compression, the higher compression engine might make 8-10 more horsepower. If I remember right, 10cc's of combustion chamber volume is roughly equivalent to a full point of compression, give or take a tenth.

 

[garys289]

For the person who asked, i would be using my current Performer 289 intake. I didnt go with the RPM or air gap as im more looking for a low to mid range power band

Thanks for all the replies

 

[302 coupe]

??? if thats the case, you'd be wasting money on aftermarket heads, IMO. Most aftermarket heads don't starting pulling away until 4000 rpm or so, which I consider midrange. Use the stock ones, or maybe some windsor jr's since you don't plan to rev.

Also, if you limit your powerband like that, hopefully you'll be running an appropriately mild cam. Therfore, the flycutting you were worried about won't be an issue with any head I wouldn't think.

Remember, the only way to make good power with a small block is for it to rev. You can't really build a 302 into a 3500 rpm stump puller like you can a big block. I understand the desire for streetability, but a 302 (or similar size) can pull to 6500 and make great power, will still having good streetability. A low rpm 302 is a boring 302. And don't dare use a performer intake with any aftermarket head. It can barely keep up with the stock heads.

You gonna use a 2 bbl and iron exhaust manifolds too? LOL....j/k

 

[sportsroof69]

The heads can be milled to decrease the CC volume. .006" per cc to a max of 4cc on the 165's. I have a set of 289 heads on my car that made good power but I will probably go with a set of AFR's later on. If my turbo 300 plans fall through, I will be building a turbo 351W with AFR 185's. Most of the guys on turbomustangs run either the AFR's or TW's.

 

[my66coupe]

So lets make it official.......What heads can someone use with a 289/302/351 without fly cutting the pistons, and still pick up a ton of power? What about for a stroker? A nitrous car etc.....AFR, TRICK FLOW AND EDELBROCKS i have seen numerous heads from these companys. I know that you cant go above 1.90 intake valve wihtout fly cutting. Is this true for flat tops with valve releifs?? But what about the exact models? The performer and performer RPM are both offered with 1.90 valves. Im pretty sure that afr doesnt offer a head with 1.90 intake valves at least with there 185s? Same goes for trickflow.....lets get to specific head models.......Seems we are just running in circles..........

Mike

 

[Red66GT]

I'm using the regular Performer intake w/ Performer RPM heads and the car pulls strong, though I'd still like to get an RPM intake or Weiand Stealth eventually. Anyway, my vote goes to Edelbrock, I was in the same dilemna a year ago, deciding between the 2 and am more than happy w/ what I ended up with.

 

[Spanish Dave]

I'm using the performer rpm heads with air gap intake and the car performs really well. I changed the cam to edelbrock and that was also a real improvement for steetableness (is that a real word??) after relacing the comp cams one which was too wild for the car. It revs well and pulls really good at 4000+ revs.
Another point is with being located in Spain I have had similar problems with suppliers that don't deliver outside the US ... but have bought loads of stuff from Summit and have been very pleased with both delivery times and charges.

 

[BayBoss]

go afr if you have the money they are the best out of the box. dont do edelbrock unless you want to put another grand into them. for budget i used trick flow and couldn't have been happier.

 

[65'Pony]

Have you tried to talk to the AFR people about makeing an exception and sending you some? I remember when I was buying parts from year one I talked the guy into giving me a discount and I got 20% off . Im not saying that the AFR people are like the Year one people, but its worth a shot if you want the best heads available.

 

[my66coupe]

Soo the twist wedge head in 61cc form............they claim that with their 2.02 intake valve, it doesnt require any fly cutting as long as you stay below .540 lift..............Also If i go bare (the cheap way) could i swap my comp cam valve springs, and my 1.90/1.6 valves over....or does the head require a 2.02 valve??? bare would be soooo easy/cheap if i could just swap everything over....thanks

Mike

 

[Bullitt]

i run a set of box stock Trick Flows.

they've seen 6500 (even 7k before) at the drag strip and autocross course many a time in the 25k miles i've had them. been super happy.

stock Trick Flows, long tube headers, Performer RPM intake (non-air gap), lunati roller cam (218/228 @ .050 and .536 lift) and the car put down 325 HP and 317 lb-ft to the wheels (through a 9"!!)

 

[my66coupe]

Would a comp cam 268H with .456 lift (stock converter) still make power on the bottom end with these heads?

 

[garys289]

If i were to go with an RPM intake, replacing the Performer 289, would i lose any bottom to mid end torque/power?

 

[347Fastback]

I am using the RPMs on my 331. I have had tricks on my 5.0 and they worked well. I bought RPMs this time to try to make a complete package with the air gap intake etc...