Best HCI combo NA?

FastDriver · May 13, 2011

Wow, Rick! I haven't seen such a passionate post in a while

bgoins · May 13, 2011

I'm not sure why u guys aren't talking about TW 185 heads. Can't u put them in a stock shortblock without notching the pistons?

Rick 91GT · May 13, 2011

bgoins said:
I'm not sure why u guys aren't talking about TW 185 heads. Can't u put them in a stock shortblock without notching the pistons?

They are a great head, but are about $400 more then a AFR185... They will fit on a stock piston with a max of around .550" lift.

NIKwoaC · May 13, 2011

Rick 91GT said:
There is some good info and discussions in this thread and some bad...

Good post, Rick! Question for ya: Do you go through Comp to get your custom cams, and do you use their lobe catalog? Also, is John's cam billet or SADI core?

FastDriver said:
Nik,

I think he's referring to his experience with PTV contact on 185s...

Easy there, stud.

Chris

I apologize, I couldn't think of a less abrasive way to word it. That, and I had just worked a 12 hour day and was a little irritable, haha. You know me, I try my best to keep conversation civil.

Rick 91GT · May 13, 2011

I use COMP and their Master Lobe Catalog, his was a SADI core...no need for billet on that one.

Here's a pic of John's beast, pretty ain't it

NIKwoaC · May 13, 2011

Rick 91GT said:
They are a great head, but are about $400 more then a AFR185... They will fit on a stock piston with a max of around .550" lift.

My TW 205s (which have the same valves and locations as the 185s) had ~.115" PtV clearance on the intake and ~.185" PtV clearance on the exhaust on my stock '86 short block, which of course has true flat top pistons with no valve reliefs. My cam with 1.6 rockers is ~.570" lift intake and exhaust, BUT I have very mild intake and exhaust duration, very little overlap, which is the saving grace there. (My junk is actually set up for a 1.7 rocker, which would have lift in the .600" range, but we went with 1.6 to save spring life a little.) My heads were also milled for a little compression, and my pistons were all between .005"-.010" above deck, BTW.

In other words, the repositioning of the valves on a TW head allow for some pretty awesome PtV clearance.

Also, FWIW, it should probably be mentioned for anyone reading this that the TW 185 is actually a lot larger head than the AFR 185. The port volume is misleading, because the TW has a shorter port with a bigger cross section. The TW 185 flows roughly 25 more CFM on the flow bench, from what I remember.

NIKwoaC · May 13, 2011

Rick 91GT said:
I use COMP and their Master Lobe Catalog, his was a SADI core...no need for billet on that one.

Here's a pic of John's beast, pretty ain't it

That is a sexy engine, haha. One of the best powder coating jobs I've ever seen.

Rick, out of curiosity, in your opinion when is a billet cam necessary? My cam is a SADI, and also is a custom pulling lobes from the Comp catalog. I originally was leaning toward billet, but Mike over at TEA seemed to think it wasn't worth it.

89stang1 · May 13, 2011

Rick 91GT said:
I use COMP and their Master Lobe Catalog, his was a SADI core...no need for billet on that one.

Here's a pic of John's beast, pretty ain't it

heres to date pics

Rick 91GT · May 13, 2011

NikwoaC said:
Also, FWIW, it should probably be mentioned for anyone reading this that the TW 185 is actually a lot larger head than the AFR 185. The port volume is misleading, because the TW has a shorter port with a bigger cross section. The TW 185 flows roughly 25 more CFM on the flow bench, from what I remember.

I havent had the pleasure of flowing a set yet, but your right about the cross section, can't just look at the number. I put a set on a 347 but never got it on the dyno, the heads looked great and come with decent valvetrain and seals.

I look at spring pressure amongnst other things when you get into a billet core, the profile matters as well. Almost all my soild roller stuff ends up being Billet.

bgoins · May 13, 2011

The extra money spent on the TW 185 heads might be worth it to not have to worry about cutting those pistons. Another option are the Fast as Cast 190 heads. I think they run about $1500

FastDriver · May 13, 2011

89stang1 said:
heres to date pics

You just keep in mind who's got first dibs...

laford1986 · May 14, 2011

NikwoaC said:
I wouldn't say it's "not worth it". IMHO, buying an AFR 165 in this day and age is more "not worth it".

I guess I'm more of the mindset of doing it right, even if it takes more effort and more time. Limiting the direction of your engine build because of speed bumps such as valve notch size is a cop out.

An AFR 185 is not necessarily "too small" for a 331/347, but bear in mind there are probably better choices out there, and those better choices probably include larger heads.

Dude, the AFR 185 heads are PERFECT for a 331-347. You need to understand how these heads are designed. Very state of the art. By the way I have a 347 and the 185's. AWESOME

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