Mass Hysteria

I'm looking at doing a H/C on my '02 Vette. I have all the bolt on's and the car is making 351/364 through an M6 and 3.42's.

I want to keep the car docile enough to go out to dinner or to a Black Tie event with my wife without the car cammin to the valet lookin silly to everyone as well have the stealth if I pull up next to someone else on the street.

I'm torn between the PRC 5.3L Stg 2.5 Heads and the AFR 205 Heads, and it's making me pull my hair out! I've spoken with Tony and I truly understand the importance of the smaller runner of the 205's and the velocity creating more torque. But how much more? I've read every thread over the past week on the topic, but I want to know is there a big measurable difference in power between the two heads (under the curve and at peak power).

Here's the thing. I want to wake my car up, I don't go out on the weekends to Street Race and I go to the track once in a blu moon. Is the extra power of the AFR's justifiable for the extra $1000? I know a lot are going to jump on and say one head or the other, give me reasoning to choose one over the other, power numbers, Qtr Mile Times, Trap Speeds, anything.

Budget is important (since my wife no longer works to take care of my twins) I can get the H/C kit from TSP for $2000 or spend that extra $1000 I was going to use for installation for the AFR's and be a little tight.

Bottom line is...If I can make 420-430rwhp with a 224/228 cam and heads, UD pully, etc., I'll be happy.

Paint_It_Black

iTrader: (1)

If all you want is 420-430 rwhp, then even the TSP combo can get you there.

BUT I'd spend the extra and go with the AFR's.

Pipelayaz

iTrader: (2)

Yeah man go ***** out and get the AFR's, you'll be happier in the long run.

Xerxes

iTrader: (1)

If you can wait. I think the new PRC castings are really close to being released.

eamador11

Black tie event? eff that..... get a big *** cam,G5X4 all choppy and take just her to Sonics with big *****. all initimidating and ****

BuBbABFP

iTrader: (3)

+1

Thats where I am at with Ls6 Intake/17 by 11's/TR6 Plugs. I wanted some TFS 215 or ETP 215's but they are like 2500$+.. as much as my entire H/C combo.

Very happy with my TSP setup.

But if you have the money Go for it!

TXZ28LS1

iTrader: (5)

420-430 rwhp u should be able to get that with the PRC 5.3 heads and the TSP 228r cam.

Mass Hysteria

Haven't heard about those, what are they?

Some people actually go to Formal Events for work. Yeah, it would be funny to scare the hell out of people as I roll up blippin the throttle, but then no one would take me seriously as a professional. My other car was a 750RWHP Blown Cobra, I'm kinda done with the loud as cars.


Thanks for your input guys.

NVR_SPDS

iTrader: (39)

My buddies H/C/E Firehawk makes 448rwhp with AFRs and a subtle cam. You have to really listen to hear for a lope at all.. Its loud (No cats, and True duals) but no lope.

camnz06

I liked my 2.5 prc 5.3l and ms3. I made 470hp/418tq thru a 6speed... Just my 2 cents.

Also had headers, slp loudmouth, fast 90/90...

Bouvs

iTrader: (12)

well I think you answered your own question man, you said its not for the track and you want it to be driveable and comfortable to drive with your wife and not have to worry about it. then get the 205's thats what you'll get. if budgets an issue hold off... because I think that if you skimp and get the other heads you'll always be a little dissapointed with the performance... its worth the 1000$ if you're looking for the characteristics you are wanting.

I'm bitting the same bullit man, I'm not very happy about the $$$ I'm spending on my build but I know I will be very happy with the result

Xerxes

iTrader: (1)

Sent you a PM Mass

fastvet

iTrader: (2)

Hey, if you want more power with that car, you can always get the AFR's. But with the TSP heads and a custom grind cam, like lets say a big split in the duration with a 117 or 118 LSA and a high lift, you wont have to show up to your formal events with a choppy cam and still blow the **** out of people at the track.

Just my thoughts!

PREDATOR-Z

Look, you'll notice that "old timers" avoid to respond to such a question (s), because it might start a flame war.
However I have owned both and while TSPs heads are good quality, AFR 205s are in a niche above with regards to a high velocity small runner head.
Try to find one 475rwhp combo with a 224/228 cam with any stock casting head (no matter the vendor) and you'll be left hanging for a long time.
As said in this thread by other responders, if all you want is 420 rwhp or so, then yes TSPs will get you there no problem.

There is also the issue of proper install and protocol. Parts do not make power by themselves. A lot of poeple buy parts and just slap them on without paying attention to details like (degreing cam, quench, etc...) so it happens often that they buy a part expecting X Hp and are dissapointed when they cannot make that much. I spec some cams for fellow members but I always emphasise to follow proper install methods to ensure correct results (I've seen as much as 12rwhp from just degreing a cam).
Also there is the issue of tuning. I cannot stress how important that part is to extract all the power from mods. A combo literaly requires hours of tuning, not minutes andd 2 dyno runs.

ajrothm

Why not get the TSP 5.3s and spend the extra $1000 on a Fast 92/92? Thats gonna get you another 15+rwhp..... I doubt that there is more then 15hp difference between the AFRs and TSP 5.3 2.5s. Hell the 5.3 2.5s flow over 250@.400 300cfm at .600, how much better could the AFRs be to make them worth $1000 more?

I would kill to see some real unbiased flow numbers between the two on the same day, same bench, same operator and see what the REALLY flow...

JScamaro

iTrader: (6)

If there is even a thought in your mind on getting the AFR's I would get them. If you end up settling for the PRC's and are disappointed with the numbers you will wish you went with the AFR's.

Mass Hysteria

Troo!

TXZ28LS1

iTrader: (5)

there are alot of good advice on here especially from predator -Z. but another thing is also if he is doing the work or having a shop install them. that $1,000 dollar difference is more than enough to pay for a shop to install and maybe pay for half of the tune. the AFR are already $1,000 dollars more, and on top of that pay for install and the tune. so your paying alot more for a few more hp if that.. so technically its not worth it, especially if your a guy who doesnt have *** loads of cash to shell out.


the OP is just trying to get 420-430 rwhp. i think hell be happy to with his TSP H/C combo for the price.

Jason 98 TA

iTrader: (4)

I think what you have to ask yourself is do you want to spend $1100 for the possiblity of making a couple extra horses. You can't make a post claiming that 205 AFR heads with 224/228 camshaft will somehow make 475rwhp because someone claimed it one time. Checkout any dyno section & search for that combo & you'll see independent numbers nowhere near that number.

Here's the way I look at it
PRC heads Proven 40-45rwhp gains $1200
AND
Fast 92mm Intake & 92mm Throttle Body 20rwhp gains $1100
AND
Underdrive Pulley Proven 8rwhp Gain $200
Total: $2500 For 70+rwhp


AFR 205cc Small Runner Heads for 600 lift 45hp gain?!?! $2285
or
AFR 205cc Small Runner Heads for .650" lift $2450
For 45rwhp
---------------------------------------------------------------


$2500 for 70-80hp
or
$2300-2450 for 45hp

That is the question...

TXZ28LS1

iTrader: (5)

EXACTLY!! and on top of that you have to figure in the cost of install and tuning!!