Which one would you go with? I am a bit over budget and was leaning towards the 218 CNC program. What did you guys go with and what were your gains?

 

226cc all the way

 

Bump. I'm also wondering the same question. I'm leaning toward the 226 because I have chamber damage that will need repair anyway, but I don't want to lose an ounce of low end torque. These will eventually be used on a twin turbo, daily driver, small cam (212ish duration intake) build that I want to spool very quickly. Anyone with experience using both heads? Where in the powerband does the 226 surpass the 218?

 

Did you guys see the thread in the dyno section where the guy went with the 241 HC CNC head porting that AI offers. Pretty impressive numbers, especially if you already have some 241 heads. Beats having to buy the 243's, then pay to get them ported. You should check it out.

 

which is the new 241 program that everyone been making good numbers with??

 

Check out their website. It's the 242 High Compression CNC program for 241 heads. Just over a grand for the port job.

 

I'm leaning towards the 218 CNC program. I think I've read, and anyone correct me if I'm wrong, but the 218 is better than the 226 in terms of low-end torque. My goal is not to produce dyno queen numbers. My goal is to hit 350+ torque at 3000 RPM's.

 

Why don't you just ask AI yourself. They are a sponsor on here.

 

I have exchanged emails with them setting something up for the upcoming weeks. I jus' wanted to hear from other builds too.

 

It would be great if THEY would post in here....

Good thread, OP. I'm torn between 3 different porters right now.

Ed motherF'ckn Curtis, AI, and TEA

 

I'm interested in this as well. Would like to see flow numbers for the 218's but their website doesn't show them.

 

^^ but we should all know by now, flow numbers don't tell the whole tale....

Op has hit it in the head with his question regarding low end torque, as per HIS set-up in question.

 

I sent them my 853's castings, had the 219 high compression CNC porting done and one of their cams. It runs really good, I can lug the car again, easy to drive. Its on my old tune, I will post my numbers up, dyno is this friday.

 

Here is a graph showing what my 226 ported heads did with an AI cam. Now it reads low because there is still tons of timing in the car due to a weak fuel pump only building 40PSI at the rail at 3k RPM. So on a ultra conservative "base tune" it made 350+ torque at 3200 RPM. Not to bad I don't think.

 

What cam is that with?

 

A.I.'s 226/234 .600 lift on a 113 LSA.

 

Go with Ed. If I had a set of 243 heads laying around, that's what I'd do. I bet his port work combined with one of his custom cams would make some serious power EVERWHERE in the powerband.

 

Good question, I have the same goals in mind. I would think the 241 high compression would be great for low end torque though.

 

I already have some 243's awaiting some robotic love though.

 

Your low end torque can addressed with the correct custom cam (vlave events) even by going with the larger 226 runner size.