I currently have a set of AFR 195s on my 355. I can't run anything bigger as far as a camshaft is concerned, because on my current motor, I had to grind a little in all the valve reliefs on the pistons to get the necessary clearance for the .510/.520 lift cam. But I want to go low 11s N/A, so I'm considering getting a larger displacement block with a bigger cam. However, I'd like to use my 195 heads since I don't want to buy another set of $1500 heads!! Does anyone know if the 195s can get me to my goal? I need the car to be streetable too, since I do drive it a lot. All the 400 cubic inch (and larger) buildups seem to use the AFR 210s. I had also considered building up a 383, but looking at the cost to do it and only getting 28 more cubic inches than I already have doesn't seem like it's worth it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

They should be fine, Hell "pony killer" is running an 11.9x with a 355, vortec heads, and a XE274 cam i believe.

vortec heads have only 170cc intake ports.

Sure it would probably make more power with 210's, but your current heads should get you to your goals just fine.

 

The 195's will work fine, they won't be optimum, but they will still make plenty of power and torque.

 

I have a set of 195 on my 400. The key to building an engine is to match the parts correctly. Find a cam the will match perfectly with the heads you are running and that will help with your goals. Remember it's all about matching. Also bigger is not alway better.
The 210's don't pull away from the 195 until over the 500 lift, so if your cam does not have that high of lift (above 550) you are wasting the use of the 210 heads, try to match the components. Hopefully you understand my point.

 

You can go ahead and use the AFR 195's. They will be fine. DTL504 is right in what he says - just check out the details in his sig. :-)

Just remember to get the steam holes drilled.

BTW AFR say on their website that the 195's have an "ideal operating range of 2000 rpm to 6500 rpm....... and is the perfect street head for 350 cid to 400 cid engines from 1955-86".

 

He don't want or need that big of head for what he trying to accomplish. However if your future calls for an race engine and 600 plus net lift then buy the 210 and later in life you want have to spend another $1600 for another set of heads. Otherwise the 195 will tickle your fantansy.
Matching, Matching, Matching, Matching, Matching
It's the key to performance

 

Seriously, have your heads flowed on a flow bench, and then have a cam custom ground to match the flow #s. I'd bet it would be impressive.

 

That sounds like a pretty good idea. Would you say that Comp (as far as experience and quality is concerned) would be able to grind the best cam for the combo?

 

I would give Harold Brookshire a call at Lunati and just pick his brain. This man has been designing cams for a very long time and was the former owner of Ultradyne Cams in Ms.
Harold 901-365-0950 Ext 126. He has some very agressive lobes and a lot of people run his cam at Team Chevelle web site and Drag Racer Results. I have one of his Solid cams in my sig. The custom cams at Lunati runs about $165.00 just to give you a headsup on the pricing. Just call and talk to the guy and if you dont by his cam you will get off the phone a lot smarter about cam then you can imagine. He will takehis time and go in very detail about performance cam, so have some time when you give him a call.
David

 

I actually just did a little research on AFR's website. This seems like it would DEFINITELY satisfy my needs
http://www.airflowresearch.com/artic...cle31/A-P1.htm