a338566

iTrader: (1)

I have been starting to shop around for a heads and cam setup for my 01 TA, and i have noticed that i can get a heads and cam setup with Patriot heads cheaper than i can get just a set of AFR heads, can someone with the expertise chime in and let me know what drives the price of the AFR head up so high ? I only want to do this job once and am willing to spend the money if the i can determine the value is there.

Thanks in advance

1nasty86

iTrader: (63)

Patriot is a budget head. A afr 205/225/230 would KILL a patriot head any da yh. Better material, deck thickness, cnc port job. Etc.... You get what you pay for. I have seen "touched up" as cast tfs 220's making killer power here lately.

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

Patriot heads are usually just reworked stock 243 heads from gm, AFR actually makes their own casting of the head to their specs. The results from this is that they can make better changes to the head design that is not possible by just porting an existing gm casting. The price of AFR, or Trickflow heads are very high but thats because of the R&D and tooling they go through to be made. You do get what you pay for though patriot heads perform very well but will never match the top end power or power curve made by AFR or Trickflows.

a338566

iTrader: (1)

great info so far , thanks guys

Bramlok

iTrader: (7)

I don't doubt AFR's are good heads but I think you're paying for the name. You can get equally good performance out of expertly ported heads. Will the AFR's outperform other heads, and by much? Maybe. All that depends how much you're willing to spend and how much you want to gain.

Air Jordans and considered the best shoes by many top NBA players, but I also see some other very good players wearing Adidas, Reebok, etc and they perform just as well or better as their peers wearing Jordans. Is it the shoes?

Unlimited funds and budget - **** it and get the AFR's

Looking to save some money and use it towards other mods - plenty of other good performing heads out there.

1nasty86

iTrader: (63)

A good set of ported t.e.a/advance induction/wcch/prc 243 head rivals some ported aftermarket casting heads.... For half the price.

a338566

iTrader: (1)

any suggestions on good vendors that sell a heads cam package with either AFR or trickflow, i have only found the heads for sale alone and would like to buy a packagea deal.

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

you would be better off to get the heads seperate from the cam. this way you can have the cam custom ground for your setup. i.e. for your engine size, exhaust, weight of the car, intake, etc.

a338566

iTrader: (1)

suggestions on guys to grind the cam ?

1nasty86

iTrader: (63)

Geoff @ eps or pat g.

FlamingTA

iTrader: (8)

PatrickG, EPS, Flowtech. All good with the custom cam. And it depends on what you want. If you are just looking for really good heads and cam perform and not any higher, a set of port 243's from AI, TEA, Flowtech, WCCH, etc would work really nice.

rcoers

iTrader: (6)

Thunder Racing, Speed Inc, or TSP will help you out.

a338566

iTrader: (1)

is the best place for AFR or Trickflow to buy direct, do you guys have any input on vendors to use, i will need somebody that can help me out with matching heads to my setup

b00sted

iTrader: (7)

Until you add boost or nitrous and wish you had more deck thickness.

bluehawk2

iTrader: (74)

Do your research and you can pick up a set of AFR or TFS heads for a decent price here used. If not give somebody a call............WCCH can help you out.

NC98Z

iTrader: (1)

You definately paying for R&D on a set of TFs or AFRs. A good example is how much does it cost to actually plactic mold a FAST intake. Thats alot of money for a piece of plastic. However that piece of plastic can pick you up big HP.

1nasty86

iTrader: (63)

I have seen TONS of nitrous/boosted cars running stock casting heads. And with him having(assuming) a stock shortblock he would not reach the breaking point of a stock thickness deck.

a338566

iTrader: (1)

yes, stock short block

Detoxx03

iTrader: (14)

I would like to do things once so I would holdout for some Trick Flows or AFR's. In my case I would choose Trick Flows.

a338566

iTrader: (1)

i hadnt looked at Trick Flow previuosly, it looks like they ahve a GenX 220 head that is cast instead of CNC machined and is a little cheaper, any input on a cast trick flow head compared to a machined one ?