I am sure I know the opinions on this, but I have to ask. I have compared the flow numbers and there is a definate answer in those flow numbers, but what about "real world" performance? Are the AFR's really worth the $350-$400 price difference? I will have 9.5:1ish compression, XE268-XE274 cam in a 355. It will mainly be a weekend "fun" car (IROC).

THANKS!
Mark

 

If your not that into racing, then I wouldn't recomend AFR's. They are great heads, but you can't get them in a 64cc chamber. Get them milled down to a 58cc chamber and it'll cost you a fortune.

For a weekend worrior that'll be happy w/ high 12's I think the world heads will do just fine.

 

My vote is the afr's. The thing with better flow is that you can use a less radical camshaft and still have lots of power. Another good thing about more flow is if you want to upgrade the camshaft to get more power in the future you won't be limited to the sportsman II's flow. The vortec heads are a good head to compare to the sportsmans. According to Chevy High Performance Magazine the vortecs outflowed the sportsmans up to .500 lift.

 

I know a few guys with WP SPII's and their ETs dont impress me at all ...in my opinion they flat out suck.

 

They're worth it, in my opinion. Having bought my first set relatively recently (replacing Dart Iron Eagles) I wasn't quite convinced. I am now convinced. The few extra coins will be long forgotten a few months after you get them. They're artwork that works, and their tech guys are anxious to help you get your money's worth from them.

Few products or companies impress me enough that I would say something like that. AFR is the exception. In short, you get all of what you pay the extra money for.

 

Great points to ponder on both sides. I still can't decide though. I don't need it to be a race car, it will be my weekend fun car. I would like to get into the 12.9's though. Keep the thoughts coming!

Mark

 

Does that mean that you don't think the Sportsman's are no better than stock?

Mark

 

They gotta be good for at least 15-25hp over stock I would think.

 

If you look at their flow numbers in comparison to Vortecs you'll see vortecs aren't all that far behind. You can pick up a set of vortecs for real cheap + buy a vortec intake and still have saved a ton of money...

I know a guy with almos the exact same combo as me (same motor size, same camshaft, same weight, same just about everything, he has a little more gearing and converter than me though) The only exception is he has SPII's ...my car is a good half second faster than his. Now, you may blame tuning on his shortcomings but this car was built by a shop that has built 8 second cars - they know how to tune. So he spent all kinds of money on those heads and I'm way faster with junkyard stock truck heads, kinda silly IMO.

 

IMHO, AFR first, Vortecs or Trick Flow Twisted Wedge G2's second because of bang for the buck with World Products not even a consideration. Just by the fact AFR's are aluminum puts them over WP. Then consider old school chamber design of the WP compared to the newer chamber design of AFR. Save for the AFR's and purchase them. You won't be sorry.

 

Thank you all for your input! I guess I have some thinking to do about several heads.

Mark

 

If your going to be racing then you should get some AFR's or some Canfield's but if your just racing around on the weekend then the sportsman II's are more than enough to get you going...I have some that are ported and they run fine...i'm very satisfied...I made other changes when I added the heads put can say that I gained more than 50hp. I have the same heads with new springs on my 406 and it definately screams, haven't been to the track yet, but i'm guarenteed that i'm running low 12 or high 11's.

I have to be honest that I have been looking at the AFR's but the price is keeping me away...the Canfields are just as nice for about the same price. The heads are the most important part of your set-up but you can make more power in another area...just my opinion.