what would be probably be able to handle more power(i mean by the springs, rockers etc.) should i get the afr 227 heads assembled already, or bare and build it up? im going to get a port job from ai

 

What are the intended cam specs.?

What do the AFR heads come assembled with?

Which aftermarket parts are you considering?

 

Get the bare ones,after PHIL @ Ai has done the work on them he will be in the best position to assemble the ideal valvetrain for the Flow !!!!

 

Ya have to get the correct valve stem length for your lift and springs to match the installed height and lift and seat pressure for your cam. Like was said, let the head porter assemble your heads after doing the valve job and port work.

 

On almost everything I buy them bare and then put them together... remember the valvetrain starts at the valves. The only setup that I think is dam good out of the box right now from a big manufacture is Darts new LS1 stuff. It basically has exactly what I would put in there for parts for a change.

The problem I see with the AFR's is the excess mass on the valvetrain and either too much spring with the SR option or too little spring on anything they do with a hyd roller setup.

When it comes to head porters suppling the parts... that really all depends on how good they are in terms of the valvetrain side. I've helped some guys out on this (Lloyd) and have fixed other places stuff so that it works. If all the head porters out there actually could do valvetrains as well as they do head ports then there wouldn't be a nitch for guys like me, or Joe O or Ed Curtis.

Bret

 

I always send the stuff I want installed to Richard(West Coast Racing Cyl.Head) and he assembles,shims,etc.or if he has the needed stuff in stock I just tell him what I need. NEVER have had a problem, but ya got to look at who is doing it too.Richard pretty well knows what ya are talking about,he hasn't been a porter all his life.
There is also a BIG difference in knowing what ya want and being able to get this across to whoever is doing the job verses letting the head porter make the call or the manufacturer.Like Brett said they are porter's and not engine builders.

NO flame intended toward the porter's.They have their specialty, engine builder's have their's.