what do you all think about trickflow heads as far a quality and functionality, thinking about using a set on a new 383 and would like some feedback

I have a set on my 383. I have the kenny duttweiler series with 64cc angle plug heads and CNC'd chambers after I purchased them I did have a couple of problems with them breaking springs but I think that was more my fault then theirs since I think I was putting to much pressure on those springs. I took them off because trick flow said they wanted them sent back and they happly repaired the heads since after they look at them they claimed they had not installed a couple of the seat very well and the valve was not sitting correctly. When they cam back a got a hold of a aftermarket company and I had them completly port and polish the heads. Now they perform AWSOME. Deffintly a great set of heads! Even with the couple of initial problems they were great because the tech support I got from trickflow was great!

Mine have been great except for a broken valvespring after 30k miles. I run the engine up to 6300 rpm or so at the dyno and the dragstrip, even the street sometimes, so that didn't help any. I'm making good power with them and mine flowed just as good as 190/195 AFR heads.

wow what a coincidence another valve spring problem lol. Hey did you have your problem right away or was it after a while? I had mine when I had about 40 miles on the motor.

Hmm, For only about 2-300 dollars more, you can have AFR's which are far better in performance and quality. I had some trickflows and they performed well, but the workmanship sucked! When I purchased my trickflows, customer service sucked! Good to see that has changed. But having purchased both brands, I would NEVER purchase trickflows over AFR's! Just my .02$ I'm sure there are many who have had good expiernces with trickflow, but you get what ya pay for that's for sure!

According to the flow charts it would seem that they are not FAR off from the trickflow in performance. I have yet to try to the AFR's though and I have to admit that my next set will probably be a set of them since I would like to see the difference. After the port and polish work and having the heads gone thru with and installing my own parts I have to admit that they perform great though even though I shouldn't have had all the problems in the first place lol. Hey raider where are you located at? it says near seattle.... Im about 2 hours away from seattle.

I'm in Lacey. Yea the performance of my AFR's are much better, but the workmanship and quality of the AFR's are FAR superior!

Thats cool im up on the coast in Port Angeles. You race at Bremerton and Pacific raceways? I've been there often and I haven't seen many third gens this year

They had about 30,000+ miles on them. It was the #8 exhaust valve, so it sounded like a really bad exhaust leak at first. I first replaced just that valvespring, then replaced them all with CompCams 987 springs and Ti retainers.

AFRs have horrible oil drain-back problems, especially for road-race cars that spend more time in the higher revs. The valvesprings AFR supplies are too weak, causing valve float before 6000 rpm. Customer service I had with TrickFlow was great since they're part of SummitRacing (or some sort of deal like that). I haven't seen any difference in quality between AFR and TrickFlow heads; I have friends with either brand and they each have their own nuances.

How does every discussion about heads turn into a AFR thread?

That's because AFR heads have set the standard. All opinons aside, My experience with trickflow was terrible, both customer serivce and quality of their product. However, I'm glad to hear others on this board have had good expierences with trickflow and they have improved their quality and customer serivce! AS for AFR's customer serivce, I heard it sucks, as did trickflow. As far as valve flot, I've never experienced that, I rev my A up to 6400rpm's.

I understand you can get trickflows right away. I ordered a set of AFR,s and its been a couple months and I dont expect them for a couple more weeks from what Im told. That could make your decision alone if you need to put something together soon.

I originally purchased AFR heads and sent them back due to lack of quality - after waiting 3 months. I purchased the TFS heads, received them within a week and they are now sitting on my 383 in my 84 Vette. They are the 23 degree, Kenny Dutweiler, 195 cc intake runners and 64 cc chambers. I have not had a problem since I originally fired the motor 5k miles ago.

I purched a set of TF 23*, 195cc runner, 64cc CNC combustion chamber angleed plug heads back in 2000, and have had no broblems whatsoever W/ them, they still have the origanal valve springs(well at least until next week...I'm putting bigger ones in for my new cam), and no brakage, BTW...what's the diffrance between the older ones like the ones I have and the Kenny Dutweiler ones...all the specs are the same?

You know, when I purchased my AFR's, I had similar "hurry up and wait" type situation. It just goes to show the importance of having excellent customer service! I had to ship my AFR's back because they forgot to put the holes for my sensors and they were quick to remedy that problem.

too bad these companies fail to listen and to expand on customer service, after all, it is us who keeps them in business, no matter how good their product may be

Right....LOL..AFRs have more problems then Trickflow heads. They used to be the top dog. but NOW there Are several just as good for alot less.

Kinda hard to justify the money for them when you can have a set of Trickflows for alot less and not as many problems. And make the same power.

Ive got 40,000 on mine and never had a problem with the heads. They make great power on my 406. Ive never regreted buying them.

well thanks for the input guys i am leaning towards the trickflow heads, but you never know what will happen down the road. cant wait to build the 383

84 Z28 350...... Is the cam in your sig the one that you have run on your trickflow heads this whole time? or was it a milder cam before?

I have been impressed with my Trickflows. I think is I was to do it again I would just buy a bare set of heads and build them myself.

no, that's the one I'm going to, the one I was running was a comp cams 280H(old grind) 280/280 total duration, 230/230 @.05 and .494/.494 total lift

oh I see. I am running a NX274 comp cam. That must be whyI broke the exaust spring in the beginning before I went thru them.

86TA, If you don't have a 4 bolt main, make sure to get the splayed kit for your main's. I have heard these kits are stronger than a 4 bolt main set up.

i built a 406 for my camaro and used the trick flow heads with 64cc chambers. broke 2 valve springs both within 500 miles. Bought the Bordix Race Rite heads with 2.05 valves, went with the CNC option for the intake, chambers and exhaust ports and i love them. Take a look at Brodix and a company called M2 Cylinder Heads to purchase from them as they can machine them to whatever you like and it is far more reasonable that taking a set you already bought and want to get them worked.

How much did those brodix heads set you back though Amab? I would love to have a set of those but they seemed alot more expensive.

When I was in the process of shoping for my heads, I had considered both Brodix and Canfield. I heard awesome things about both brands, however, I went with the AFR"s because I got them for a better price.

Brodix makes really good heads the new RR heads they make are just as good as TFS heads. I have a magazine were they test both heads on the same engine and the Brodix made about 2 to 3 more hp than the TFS. So just flip a coin and take your pick between the two.

As far as AFR they will make more power its been proven. On pretty much the same combination TFS heads have been known to make 430hp to 450hp where as AFR on similar combos have been known to make 460hp up to 500hp.

When you get a set of AFR heads they already come CNC'd and polished with better springs than TFS's base priced heads. The CNC TFS heads cost the same as the AFR heads and may perform the same but the flow charts by both companies say AFR still out flows them. But flow numbers aren't everything. As far as customer service and quality thats just the luck of the draw for both companies. Some guys just have bad luck with them while others praise them.

I myself have TFS heads on a 327 with the 280H cam and my car's tires brake loose too easy with that setup no problem there!

I also have a set of Competition Ported AFR heads I bought from a guy who needed the money! He show me dyno results where these heads made 505hp on a 383 with a low duration hyd tappet cam and .514 lift. All you have to do is decide what HP you want out of your engine then build it for that. 500hp and under TFS heads can do it just fine. Over 500hp AFR heads makes it easier.

Well there are a slew of heads that make 600 hp and they arent AFR. Not saying you cant make that power with AFR heads but it just shows that their are tons of heads that can get it done. I just dont believe they have unlocked some secret.

The only real secret is AFR heads already come with a stage 1 port and polish thats why they cost so much. A lot of people buy good performance heads and then decide later on they want to make even more hp then pay $500 to $1500 to get their heads worked over. Like I said before anything thats right at 500hp and under TFS and Brodix will work just fine.