I have a stock 89 motor. I am trying to build up the top end. I dont want to notch the piston so the AFR 185 out the question I guess. I am thinking about some AFR 165 head or some edelbrocks or something that will get my hp up there any suggestions. My intake is a edelbrock performer 5.0 RPM II intake bbk spacer and 70 mm throttle body, I am going to use a compucam E303 cam and probably some 1.7 rr. WHich head would guys recommend I see afr 165s around 1389 and I see some edelbrocks for 800 what do guys think would be a good set up with my intake and cam stock bottom end. I want to go to the low 11s
I would also suggest trickflow heads. Not that the e303 is a bad cam but I highly suggest the TFS stage 1(as for off the shelf) over the e303, which is in the same class. If you are worrying about having to notch your piston, I suggest looking into some 1.6 RRs too. A well matched H/I/C is good for mid to high 12s. If you are looking for low 11s, I think a poweradder is the way to go.
Kevin
Go with either the AFR 165 or TFS Twisted Wedge heads, they're both an excellent choice. If you want the 2.02 intake valve like the AFR 185 heads have, pick up the TFS heads. They're the only head I'm aware of which allows the use of a 2.02 intake valve with stock pistons, because of their canted design, versus the inline design of the AFR or Edelbrock heads you listed as possibilities. You can easily give Total Engine Airflow a call and have them CNC port your TFS heads down the road if you really want some flow out of them. To me, they just seem to be the way to go, as they're still cheaper than the AFR or Edelbrock heads, too.