AFR 195cc heads.. what cam!? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

400maro · 04-25-2009, 02:19 PM

Ok, I recently purchased a set of AFR 195cc heads for my 400 sb. All I hear is how important choosing the right head/cam combo is. This is making me nervous because I don’t know how to determine what makes the two fit together properly. I was looking at this cam from voodoo http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=LUN%2D60105&autoview=sku.
Seeing as how the AFRs really seem to shine at .500+ lift I figured I would get the biggest cam possible. It also seems to match my desired RPM range. The heads are good from 2000-6500, my rpm air gap intake is good from 1500-6500, and this cam’s rpm range is 2500-6500. But, I was tod that since this cam is going on a 400 sbc it would drop that rpm range down a bit. That is about all I can base a decision on. I have no idea what intake and exhaust duration I should have, what lobe separation etc.
Also, I can not get a hydraulic roller cam because my engine isn’t equipped for it.
As for what I am looking for out of this car, I want it to be an everyday driver. I only drive about 20 miles a day for work but I will be driving it a lot for enjoyment. I only want to do this once, so I figure I should get the most power I can with the changes I am making.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Oh btw, all the internal parts of the engine are stock. Only things that wont be stock will be the heads, cam, and intake.

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Atilla the Fun · 04-25-2009, 02:30 PM

This is in thewrong place, they'll be moving it.
The voodoo cams are good, but with a 400, you can benefit from a tighter LSA than the 112 the voodoos use. I suggest you go with a COMP XE288HR10 retrofit hydraulic roller with ProMagnum 1.52:1 rockers, or even step up to a Street Roller series solid roller, with 1.65:1 Harland Sharp rockers.

1989GTATransAm · 04-25-2009, 02:47 PM

As you said the 400 will tame the cam some but the AFR 195 heads flow better than most so they will take some of the "taming" right back and put it to good use.

400maro · 04-25-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atilla the Fun

This is in thewrong place, they'll be moving it.
The voodoo cams are good, but with a 400, you can benefit from a tighter LSA than the 112 the voodoos use. I suggest you go with a COMP XE288HR10 retrofit hydraulic roller with ProMagnum 1.52:1 rockers, or even step up to a Street Roller series solid roller, with 1.65:1 Harland Sharp rockers.

I cant find that cam anywhere, the only thing i can find with similar numbers is XR288HR which is a hydraulic roller. I cant use hydralic rollers. LSA is the lobe seperation right? http://store.summitracing.com/partde...K&autoview=sku
This voodoo cams have 110 lobe seperation. Thanks for the responses.

Orr89RocZ · 04-25-2009, 05:04 PM

YOu can do a roller retrofit setup but its some money to get the conversion lifters.

Its nice since rollers are great cams and no break in which is AWESOME since todays oil has less lubricants that flat tappets like.

Plus the AFR heads have springs that like hyd roller cams better.

But that voodoo will kick *** in that motor. The only thing i DONT like is the all stock internals. Be careful taking it over 6000 rpm

I'd atleast upgrade to good rod bolts and make sure the tune is dead nuts so you get no detonation that will blow up those pistons

Fast 383 · 04-25-2009, 08:34 PM

I run AFR 195's in my 383 with 10.8 compression. I have a victor Jr. with a 750 carb. My cam is a xe-284-h. Its a hydro Flat tappett and was like $110.
The specs are 241/246 @ .050 and .537 / .540 lift with 1.6 rocker arms. Its very lopey, very streetable, and I drive it as much as I can without destroying my rep with the neighbors. I run valvoline racing oil and Comp break in lube and I'm very satisfied with it. If you are talking about a daily driver(which mine really isn't) There might be a next step down from this one that might work well for you. Also my times are in sig.

If you really want a great opinion on what is the best cam to match your heads, do what I did, call Tony Mano at AFR in Cali. He was extremely helpful but tends to lead towards Hydro roller. If you can afford that its a GREAT option.

DTL504 · 04-25-2009, 09:03 PM

I would go with a Solid Cam and dont believe the hype of always adjusting the valves. You will hear this from people who have "NEVER" ran a solid cam or some old wives tale. I am on my 2nd SBC 400, 1st was OEM; currently have a Dart 400 both had solod cam and produce just about 500hp/tq with AFR 195 heads. You can look in my sig to check out my combo. It may be expensive with all the forge internals and AFR 195 COMP PKGS heads for your taste but I wanted to build a solid bottom engine.

My advice would be to call the company of you can give UDHAROLD a call or maybe catch him on www.chevelles.com. who is a CAM Designer for Lunati (1st Cam) and former owner of Ultradyne Cams now Bullet Cams which I have in my Dart 400.

If will create a short sound bite of my cam later so you can here how she rumble on a 108 lobe separation. In the maintenance side of the house I check my valve lash everytime I change the oil and everything is usually spot on.

I have Comp Cams Magnum Roller Rockers 1.6 on the intake and 1.5 on the exhaust. If interested I have the other half of the Comp Cams Magnum Roller Rockers 1.6 for a good price, shoot me a pm.

I have not been to the track being that I am still working some bugs with this hydroboost but thats a different story.

The previous OEM 400 made 502tq @ 4300 RPM

New: 275/279 247/251 565/577 w/(1.6 Comp Pro Magnum Rockers) 108 LSA
New AFR 195 Eliminators COMP Package Heads.
New Intake: Edelbrock RPM Air Gap

Old Lunati Cam: 280/284 247/251 525/530 (Energizer 1.5) 110 LSA
Old Heads: AFR 1036 Street Heads (non eliminators)
Old Intake: Edelbrock Performer RPM