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Is a higher cfm head really better for turbo?

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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 06:51 PM
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Default Is a higher cfm head really better for turbo?

Just curious how head velocity plays a role on a turbo engine.

For example, comparing the TEA AFR heads which flow around 340cfm to the smaller AFR Mongoose heads that flow 269cfm, would you really notice a huge difference on a turbo LS1? Is it really worth spending the extra $$$ on the higher flowing heads or can I just add more boost to compensate for the smaller heads? My displacement is 6.0 (forged).

You see many Buicks having great results with the lower velocity heads.
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 07:01 PM
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Shawn.. A near 300CFM flowing head is fine.. I'm only flowing 275CFM with my Stage 1 heads and stock size valves. As you know a motor is just a big air compressor and by flowing more air at a specific boost level in and out of the motor, the motor produces more power. You'll see more boost with the smaller heads, and I don't think you'll need the 340cfm heads. If the cost is about the same, and you don't give up too much like driveability etc go with the bigger heads of course. If there is a cost difference then run with the 296cfm heads.

Clint
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 08:49 PM
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It's all about goals. (driveability/power)

Can you make a ton of power with 269cfm? Yes.

Can you make more with 340cfm? Yes.
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 10:03 PM
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My goal is 650-700rwhp. This won't happen for awhile though due to funds but I do have to get the heads now and run the car NA until more funds come avail. The cam is a 224 at 581 lift. Driveability part is important. Looks like the smaller Mongoose heads might be the ticket.

Intmd8- What are the specs on your LT1 heads?
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 10:24 PM
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Yeah, any decent head will get you the #'s you are looking for.

The heads on my car are pretty weak. They are AFR's with a 215cc intake port volume.

Intake-

.100 64
.200 134
.300 185
.400 232
.500 263
.600 277

Exhaust-

.100 48
.200 99
.300 134
.400 169
.500 195
.600 201
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 11:49 PM
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Lt1 Intmd8?
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Old Aug 26, 2004 | 11:50 PM
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Originally Posted by vAN5150
Lt1 Intmd8?

Yes.
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Old Aug 27, 2004 | 08:51 AM
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Those darn LT1 cars just won't go away.....

Jose
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Old Aug 27, 2004 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by INTMD8
Yeah, any decent head will get you the #'s you are looking for.

The heads on my car are pretty weak. They are AFR's with a 215cc intake port volume.

Intake-

.100 64
.200 134
.300 185
.400 232
.500 263
.600 277

Exhaust-

.100 48
.200 99
.300 134
.400 169
.500 195
.600 201
Your heads might be weak but the dyno numbers you're running are awesome! Ported Buick heads are lucky to see 200cfm!
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Old Aug 27, 2004 | 11:04 AM
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Mine flow like 299/220 at .600.
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Old Aug 27, 2004 | 11:57 AM
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Just goes to show HUH....
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Old Aug 27, 2004 | 12:03 PM
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mine flow 295 at .600.. but then again my cam only moves .523/.510
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Old Aug 28, 2004 | 07:24 PM
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If I be not mistaken you guys are comparing LS1 Heads to LT1 Heads. Anything over 270 cfm intake is considered very good for a LT1. The benchmark for a LS1 here seems to be 300 cfm.
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Old Aug 29, 2004 | 09:50 PM
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Im thinking about going with a turbo setup of some sort... the STS is actually catching my eye right now because of the price...

The heads i have are TEA Stage 3 5.3 heads 2.055/1.60 valves... they flowed 324 int and 27X exh @ .600. The cam im running is a 224/228 112lsa. Would higher flowing heads hurt power on a smaller turbo setup... im wanting to make ~500RWHP then spray on top of that a bit maybe...im trying to figure out what all i would need to change to go from a nitrous setup to a turbo setup...

Also a bit off subject... but on the STS kit would my headers actually hurt power over the factory manifolds... i have Mac Midlengths...
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