We're in the process of putting together a high hp turbo combination. It will either be a 383 with a PTE-88 (if Jose can hook us up with a PTK Gen 1 kit ), or a 355 with a PT-76 GTS. We're running into problems with the heads, though. At first, the AFR220 Competition heads looked attractive, but they have a 12 week wait . That leaves Edelbrock (nope), Trick Flow, and LT4. I'm leaning toward the Trick Flows because of the thicker deck/port walls and larger valves. But the LT4's have advantages also like probably better fitment.

Any thoughts on this?

Mike

 

canfield makes a nice lt1 head!

 

Mike, I know what you mean on the 12 week wait on the 220's comp. ported. I waited 14 weeks for mine.

I think the best thing to do might be to call around to the different vendors. I would imagine that someone has to have a set of the comp. ported AFR's in stock. Even if they aren't 220's, maybe 210's.

 

For a project of this magnitude I'd wait for the AFR's. These are the only "proven" alternative at anything near these hp level for an LT1 head.

Rich

 

Though people have made that kind of power on GM castings, I would run nothing other than AFR's just for the sake of reliability.

Even if you had to buy a lesser casting and have it ported to your requirements.

 

I remember seeing someone recently in the For Sale section selling a set of AFRs..

Here's the link, not sure if it's what you're looking for..

BTW: I have no affiliation, just trying to help you out

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...&highlight=afr

--Sean

 

I'm with Rich and INTMD8....a wait on the AFR's would be better than trying to compensate with an inferior head IMO.

 

I guess my question was, if a TFS head were ported to say 290i/220e cfm, would it really be inferior.

Too bad they quit making the Canfields.

Mike

 

Are you dead set on using "LT" heads?

 

Um. . . sort of. I'm dead set on using an LTx intake manifold. I understand that SBC heads can be adapted by adding the coolant holes and changing up the manifold bolt pattern. Is this really practical?

 

I have the same question. I just decided to run two of the Precision GT4067s turbos on my 383 project. I may order the Trickflows in and have them worked by LE. To me, on a boosted vehicle, the size of the exhaust port is the biggest factor (a good ported can shape it well), and the 195cc intake TF heads have about the same size exhaust runner as the large (210-227) AFR heads.

Is this not correct thinking, or am I missing something here. My goal is 1000rwhp. I have heard that the casting quality of the TF head is much better than the AFR, with better cooling passages AND the thick deck also.

 

Mike, I spoke with Glenn today and told him about the wait on the AFR heads....BUT, my engine builder does have a set of 210CC competition ported LT4 bare heads sitting in the shop in Houston and I have a line of some other AFR's and Trickflows. Not sure how much they would be, but I can find out. As for the setup, to be honest with you I've become a firm believer of the 355 configuration that I'm building a 355 spare motor to replace my 383 till I decide what I'm going to do with a Dart block setup. My customers results are hard to argue with, so I'm am definitely going to build a serious 355 LT1 for now.

Jose

 

Jose, I certainly appreciate your help and input on the combo.

Your customers' results certain prove what you're saying, but I'm still having a hard time getting it through my skull that less cubic inches doesn't hurt a turbo motor.

 

With the kind of power you're talking about i'm not sure what is or isn't practical to you, lol. Besides the manifold deal, check out the thread in advanced tech about the 18Xs. Talk to Bret about them, he's been poking around on a set and has some good comments. Damn near 18* head power with most of the comforts of 23* stuff (no offset valvetrain components, can use a hydraulic roller cam, standard exhaust ports, etc). KTamez would also be another great person to talk to about them (he had a set on a 396 LT1).

Even with how well they flow out of the box (325cfm, 2.14 intake valves), you might not even need to touch the ports to make that much power on lower boost than what a worked 210 or 220 head would. And for what you get, the prices i've seen on them are a steal.

Just stirring the pot o' possibilities.... (really i just want to see the potential in this combo, i've been looking at something like this for about 2 years now)

 

Yeah its all about pressure ratios, not cubic inches. Same reason why people ask, how come a Supra can make 1000+rwhp with a certain turbo, but on a big 454, that same turbo is lucky to make 750rwhp...hehe. Heck check out the 306CI mustangs running the T88's and making WELL over 1000rwhp.