So while I was tuning my car and driving around I noticed some white smoke out of the exhaust while I blip the throttle. It has gotten worse over time and it smells sweet plus it seems wet near the exhaust manifold and smells sweet there as well plus a bit of white smoke. My coolant is a bit brown as well. I'm going to tear down the heads and I'm expecting to see a bad gasket. Heads were basically the only thing I didn't change on my LO5 when I did the swap 2 summers ago.

I have taken some member's advice and compared many heads for the price and if I can get the AFR 195s slightly cheaper than advertised, I'm going to go with them!

Alright, Well I have never done a head swap before and I've never shopped for heads lol. All I know is that the AFR 195s product #1040 seem to be the recommended choice. So what is the difference between the angled plug and straight plug? Should I go with angled? Also #1041 has 72deg. angle intake bolts, what are those?

Basically I'd love any and all input on what to buy or what to look for with these heads. I'm going to call them up and ask if I can use my beehive valve-springs on them as well, and I believe I will need to get some 1.6rr from summit as well. I'm going to be installing these heads with the engine still in the car, hopefully its not too bad . Are these heads basically a direct bolt on? Like I said, any and all info is appreciated! I'd love to do this right the first time!

 

Just because the 195s flow better at higher lift for the same price doesn't make them a good match for a TPI 350. You don't even need them to get 525 horses from a 400, with power to 6500 rpm.
AFRs are the best, but do yourself a favor and know when to say when. 180cc versions are best for a TPI 350. Period.

 

Angle plug is always better from a performance stand point but they don't work with all headers as for the 72 degree I believe they are refering to the center IN. manifold bolt angles. And yes for a 350 the 195's are a little large but will work but a 180 runner would have better throttle response and cruise characteristics.

 

+1 agree with this.
Plug angle is mostly a personal preference. I prefer angled plugs for easier access, but it depends on what exhaust manifolds you run.

Any time you have a head or head-gasket breech, there is the worry of hydro-lock so I would not run the engine any more until after the fix. I would also inspect for piston, rod, and bearing damage. If there is any damage from hydro-lock, then you could also have a bent crank now.

 

That is a good point. I'm going to seriously consider the 180s then. So what is the major difference between the two, and will the 180s compliment a newer intake like HSR/SuperRam/MiniRam in the future? Thanks for the advice!

~I forgot to add my cam specs, if that makes any big difference:
-XFI268-
Lift: .570"/.565" w/1.6 Rockers
Duration: 268°/276°
RPM Range: 1800-5800

 

Ok thanks! I'll start doing the tear down soon and I won't run the motor anymore.

 

the 180cc is 8.333% smaller, so you get higher flow velocity (which is the point of TPI) at a lower rpm, for one thing. On a 350, a 195cc intake port doesn't really start working until around 2400 rpm.
The 180s are plenty big for the other intakes you listed.
If you stick TPI on top of 195 cc heads, even aftermarket TPI stuff, you have the small tubes making great port velocity. This velocity rams more air into the cylinders (at the rpm dictated by the length of the runners) which builds the amazing midrange torque that TPI is known for. If you stick this on 195 cc heads, then when the charge leaves the intake base and enters the heads, the suddenly huge volume causes the charge to slow way down, and the gross mismatch in cross-sectional area hinders the bounce-back that happens when the intake valve finishes closing. So this pressure wave is weak when it gets back to the plenum, and charge velocity of the charge that was supposed to get this energ is reduced, and that one is weak before it even gets to the head, and so on.
Even with the shorter runner intakes you listed, this is still an issue. It happens at higher rpm, but it still happens.
Your cam choice isn't an issue. It'll be fine with 180s and any of these intakes.