Guys running smaller cams with heads...
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: olympia, wash
Guys running smaller cams with heads... I am going to purchase a set of heads to aid my N/A performance.
My car, an '01 Z-28, has a GM hotcam, 219/228-.525/.525-112.
I am split between the prc 2.5 5.3's and the AFR 215's.
There is a $1000.00 price difference between the two.
Now, from what I have read, there is not a whole lot of difference in peak hp between the two. But what I would really like to know is do you think that the power under the curve[ AFR's trademark, so to speak ] justify the extra $1000?
It seems that the extra compression offered by the PRC's would help in the tq dept for some low end grunt, but maybe I am wrong here.
How is the throttle response with the PRC's say, in stop and go traffic?
I know the AFR's are said to be excellent.
Like I said earlier, the AFR's have pretty much proven themselves to be an all around better performing head, but if the PRC's come pretty close, I will be more then happy with them.
And yes, bigger injectors, gaskets, etc are in the plans as well.
Any experience or opinions here?
My car, an '01 Z-28, has a GM hotcam, 219/228-.525/.525-112.
I am split between the prc 2.5 5.3's and the AFR 215's.
There is a $1000.00 price difference between the two.
Now, from what I have read, there is not a whole lot of difference in peak hp between the two. But what I would really like to know is do you think that the power under the curve[ AFR's trademark, so to speak ] justify the extra $1000?
It seems that the extra compression offered by the PRC's would help in the tq dept for some low end grunt, but maybe I am wrong here.
How is the throttle response with the PRC's say, in stop and go traffic?
I know the AFR's are said to be excellent.
Like I said earlier, the AFR's have pretty much proven themselves to be an all around better performing head, but if the PRC's come pretty close, I will be more then happy with them.
And yes, bigger injectors, gaskets, etc are in the plans as well.
Any experience or opinions here?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Podunk Ky fools!
I went with Dart heads years ago, just preference, everyone is different. I personally would go with the AFRs. Always be room for improvement. After 6 years I am now going with a bigger cam but still built for the low end. I saw 400/415 average on different dynos.
I am sure the AFR's are better overall, but to justify the extra $1000...well only you can answer that! I have the PRC 5.3 heads myself, and with my cam and intake they offer awesome midrange power. Throttle response and stop and go traffic driving is very good with this setup...I have good drivability as low as 1500 rpm
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From: olympia, wash
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 76
From: olympia, wash
I am sure the AFR's are better overall, but to justify the extra $1000...well only you can answer that! I have the PRC 5.3 heads myself, and with my cam and intake they offer awesome midrange power. Throttle response and stop and go traffic driving is very good with this setup...I have good drivability as low as 1500 rpm
I agree with others to get the best heads you can afford. However, if you are on a budget constraint at the moment you can get a stock casting and have it worked over at a later date so that the cost is spread out. I personally plan on picking up some PRC Stage 1 LS6 heads probably next year which by itself will give me some decent gains over the 853s that I have now and later down the road I will probably send them off to AI to get the 226 program run on them.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: BFE
I agree with others to get the best heads you can afford. However, if you are on a budget constraint at the moment you can get a stock casting and have it worked over at a later date so that the cost is spread out. I personally plan on picking up some PRC Stage 1 LS6 heads probably next year which by itself will give me some decent gains over the 853s that I have now and later down the road I will probably send them off to AI to get the 226 program run on them.
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From: Auckland, Nth Is, New Zealand.
I have been happy enough with my stg 2.5 5.3s & a small cam, I have had them milled 30thou. Loved to have tried a set of AFRs but money or lack of at the time dictated my choice.
Last edited by ls1 1990 VN; Mar 29, 2013 at 03:44 PM.
if you can afford the AFR's i wouldnt even question anything else because they have so much more left in the head out of the box if you ever want to go more radical with your setup. They are a great choice and you will be very pleased with them.