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Anyone have a AFR185 "Enforcer" and Explorer intake combo?

  • Thread starter Thread starter reddy351
  • Start date Start date Jan 20, 2022

reddy351

10 Year Member
Jun 13, 2006
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Columbus, Ohio
Jan 20, 2022
#1
  • Jan 20, 2022
  • #1
I am planning a mild combo with the Enforcer heads and Explorer intake. Not sure which cam to use but a E303/B303 or Steeda 18/19 seem to be where I'd like to be. Anyone running this combo? It's going into a 2800# car that will be almost 100% street driven. (IRS and hard launches don't mix well.)

Looking for results as far as seat of the pants and possible actual dyno comparisons to E7/stock intake combos.

Also, opinions on the Enforcer heads. I'm sure some people will hate them for no apparent reason. The hardware seems to be the same stuff they put on their more expensive offerings. The only real reason I want to switch to aluminum heads is to save the 40 pounds off the front axle. I'd use a set of iron GT40's in a heartbeat, if not for that.
 
Last edited: Oct 31, 2022

Dan02gt

mazing how much gas smell came from that tiny hole
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
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Greenville, NC
Jan 20, 2022
#2
  • Jan 20, 2022
  • #2
I have the AFR Renegade 165s, a Cobra intake with ported lower (about the same as the Explorer), and a mild cam. I haven’t had it dynoed but most combos like mine make around 290-310HP at the wheels where a bone stock 5.0 HO makes about 190HP to the wheels. It’s a huge improvement in performance. I would expect the combo you are taking about to make similar power.

The Steeda cams would work well for you, but are designed for 1.7 RRs so keep that in mind.
 
Reactions: Potomus Pete

reddy351

10 Year Member
Jun 13, 2006
560
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Columbus, Ohio
Jan 20, 2022
#3
  • Jan 20, 2022
  • #3
Dan02gt said:
I have the AFR Renegade 165s, a Cobra intake with ported lower (about the same as the Explorer), and a mild cam. I haven’t had it dynoed but most combos like mine make around 290-310HP at the wheels where a bone stock 5.0 HO makes about 190HP to the wheels. It’s a huge improvement in performance. I would expect the combo you are taking about to make similar power.

The Steeda cams would work well for you, but are designed for 1.7 RRs so keep that in mind.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply!

Now that I think about it, I also looked at the stock Cobra cam (or even the stock GT one) with 1.7’s.

If I can get 280-300 to the wheels, that’d be perfect.
 

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
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Jan 21, 2022
#4
  • Jan 21, 2022
  • #4
Have you looked into Skip Whites NKB alum. Heads? They should do the trick.
 

Dan02gt

mazing how much gas smell came from that tiny hole
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
909
415
113
Greenville, NC
Jan 21, 2022
#5
  • Jan 21, 2022
  • #5
I wouldn't bother with a Cobra cam. Just keep the stock 5.0HO cam and use 1.7rr.

I run the Comp XE264HR-14. It's a really small cam, but gives stock like drivability.
 

reddy351

10 Year Member
Jun 13, 2006
560
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38
Columbus, Ohio
Jan 21, 2022
#6
  • Jan 21, 2022
  • #6
Dan02gt said:
I wouldn't bother with a Cobra cam. Just keep the stock 5.0HO cam and use 1.7rr.
Click to expand...
That's kind of where I am.
 

reddy351

10 Year Member
Jun 13, 2006
560
12
38
Columbus, Ohio
Jan 21, 2022
#7
  • Jan 21, 2022
  • #7
nickyb said:
Have you looked into Skip Whites NKB alum. Heads? They should do the trick.
Click to expand...

Seems a bit obscure. Looked them up, no product available. That makes for a great recommendation.
 

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
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#8
  • Jan 21, 2022
  • #8
Yeah you'll have to get on list as to when theyre back in stock. But the flow # s seem better then most and price was under a grand although that could go up like every f'ng thing else. I guess you don't have any other options.
 

reddy351

10 Year Member
Jun 13, 2006
560
12
38
Columbus, Ohio
Jan 21, 2022
#9
  • Jan 21, 2022
  • #9
nickyb said:
Yeah you'll have to get on list as to when theyre back in stock. But the flow # s seem better then most and price was under a grand although that could go up like every f'ng thing else. I guess you don't have any other options.
Click to expand...

Under $1000 for a pair? That's a damn good price with the hardware they use to assemble them. I'll keep an eye on that page. I'm not quite ready to swipe the card, just yet. I want to get the swap done and get the car running "stock" before I go throwing a bunch of stuff at it.
 

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
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#10
  • Jan 21, 2022
  • #10
Sounds like a solid plan keep us posted.
 
Reactions: reddy351

reddy351

10 Year Member
Jun 13, 2006
560
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Columbus, Ohio
Apr 1, 2023
#11
  • Apr 1, 2023
  • #11
Well, back in for an update. Since I created the thread, I've discovered that the complete engine I bought needs completely "gone through". Getting the block back from the machine shop this week. I now have the 1.7 roller tip Magnum rockers, the AFR Enforcers a stone to be completely fresh short block and a Performer 5.0 EFI intake that I just bought.

Funny how finding a destroyed balancer leads to taking the timing cover off and finding a "needs to be replaced" timing chain leads to "may as well check the bearings...yup, they need replaced" leads to "may as well clean and hone the block while I'm at it". The old rabbit hole of "while I'm in there..." has struck me hard.
 

rednotch

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish
Founding Member
Aug 14, 2000
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Apr 2, 2023
#12
  • Apr 2, 2023
  • #12
The enforcers are fine for what they are, its a dart pro 1 clone, there small valve version is probably better for a stock bottom end. I had a set of those castings before afr started selling them. You can still buy the bare castings with the 11/32 guides 2.02 seat for about $550 A pair bare and build them how you want. I doubt nkb will restock, the tarrifs, tax laws and inflation is what drove the prices of the China heads up. They where $300 -360 bare a set when I did mine and I think $750 for budget cheap assembled ones.


Afr at least uses decent parts and has them with a 1.90 valve now but the casting could use some mild work out of the box. To me there a casting local shops would build to order, clean up the ports for the combo and assemble them with parts to fit the build. Shops here get them threw liberty performance. Lpc, many parts suppliers brand and sell them from the supplier in china.
 
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