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Heads for a TR224?

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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 12:38 AM
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Question Heads for a TR224?

I've done several searches pertaining to this subject, but haven't gotten a clear answer. What heads are a good match for a TR224 with a .563 lift or a smaller cam? The reason I don't want to get a bigger cam is because I like running the 918 springs due to less pressure on the lifters and not needing to swap springs so often. I always read about awesome heads and great dyno results from them, but it's always with a much larger cam than my TR224. Which heads would net some nice gains with this cam? I've been reading up on the LS6 heads that TSP has for $850 or so, which are very tempting, but don't know how well they'd do with a smaller cam. It's about time I took the plunge for a set of heads and any help would be appreciated.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 12:52 AM
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LS6 cnc'd by TSP was going to be my choice as well. They flow over 300 cfm and are very reasonably priced. I think it should net you about 400 rwhp on your M6.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 01:36 AM
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I went with Patriot LS6 243 heads. I haven't installed them yet, but I hope to be over 400 hp.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 01:38 AM
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The 224 cam was my choice a few weeks ago but now I am going with a 228 cam and the AFRs 205s...... Should be a very good combo
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 08:54 AM
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I also selected the AFR 205 heads, to go along with my TR224 cam.

I am very happy with this combo.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 09:03 AM
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Current heads are in sig but in hindsight it would be AFR's all the way.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Ryan02SS
Current heads are in sig but in hindsight it would be AFR's all the way.
Why's that? I mean, if money wasn't a concern I would also opt for the 205's, but that's almost triple the cost of PRC ls6 heads. Would the difference in hp be that substaintial between the two heads to justify the price difference (considering the size of cam)?
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 09:40 AM
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with a 224 cam and all the bolt ons, you should be right at about the 380-390 rwhp mark.
just about any set of heads will push you over the 400 rwhp mark.
i like the patriot heads. the 2.5s
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 10:01 AM
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Why's that? I mean, if money wasn't a concern I would also opt for the 205's, but that's almost triple the cost of PRC ls6 heads. Would the difference in hp be that substaintial between the two heads to justify the price difference (considering the size of cam)?
Don't get me wrong i'm happy with my PP heads but they are a budget head that I paid a little over $1K. After my tuning was done Mikey at Rapid showed me a identical setup to mine only this guy was running Mikey's own Rapid Stage II head and the power under the curve blew mine away. For ex.. This setup was up 20 rwtq over mine in the 3500-4200rpm range. Peak numbers were 10 rwhp and 10rwtq better. Another interesting fact is that RM Stage II heads were stock CC's whereas I am running 10.8-1 SCR. This is a perfect example of a great head with small port volume and high velocity vs a budget head with average flow velocity and 214cc intake runner.

Krab, It's all about what you want in your setup. If you are going to be happy with 410-420rwhp then a budget head should work fine and suit your goals.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 10:40 AM
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^^ agreed. I don't think that the extra money is worth it, (IMO) but for someone willing to spend the extra change, its obvious the AFRs are better than the budget heads. (trying not to contradict myself there). I'll save the money and get the PRC heads ls6 casting w/ 918 springs for around 1k.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 12:16 PM
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I am running Absolute Speed heads, but since they are not in business anymore I'd suggest anyone who can get the most out of the head in low lift situations. The cam doesn't exceed .563 (mine is a .561) so you don't need a head that flows in a lift range that the cam will never see.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by KCFormula
I am running Absolute Speed heads, but since they are not in business anymore I'd suggest anyone who can get the most out of the head in low lift situations. The cam doesn't exceed .563 (mine is a .561) so you don't need a head that flows in a lift range that the cam will never see.
My thoughts as well...
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 01:07 PM
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This is completely @$$-Backwards. You don't buy heads to match a cam; you buy a cam to match heads/engine/intended use.

That's like saying "what car should I buy to put these bling rims on?"
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 01:45 PM
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Also, with that cam, who cares what the heads flow at .600. Look lower for a better comparison.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 01:49 PM
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I am goin to be running Dart 225 with my 224/224 .576/.576 112lsa crane cam setup. The two reasons i went with these is first off i got them dirt cheap (cant say how though). The second reason is that most of your budget head are gunna be around the 230cc + intake runner size. That is where they get those great flow numbers. But the head wont make as much power down low are as say a 205cc head will. The bigger the intake runner the higher the rpm needs to be for the head to generate air velocity (That is my understanding). The darts are a 225cc head but the only downside is they have a 2.05/1.60 valve which is a lil big but we will see what happens. Ill get some numbers up when they go on.
peace rob
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 04:33 PM
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TEA 5.3 heads are a proven winner with the TR224. For a street car I would be looking at their stage 1 or 1.5 heads.

The PRC stage 1.5 heads would be good as well. I happen to have a set of the PRC stage 1.5's waiting to work with my TR220 camshaft.

You should be looking for heads with as small of crossectional area as you can with good midlift flow numbers (0.200 - 0.500).

Good luck.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by KCFormula
I am running Absolute Speed heads, but since they are not in business anymore I'd suggest anyone who can get the most out of the head in low lift situations. The cam doesn't exceed .563 (mine is a .561) so you don't need a head that flows in a lift range that the cam will never see.
Same here. I also have Absolute Speed's stg 2 heads. Jay kept my head's velocity higher by not porting to much from the top of the head's intake runner. Therefore they don't flow as well as others above .575 lift, but do well down low.

I was around 380 with cam only, the addition of the heads put me at 409. Now I have gutted the "very restrictive" TTS cats and installed a Exedy clutch, so I am expecting to be at or slightlt over the 420 mark at least.

Then again, Jay no longer exists. Today I would go AFR 205 just incase I went bigger on the cam.
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Old Feb 13, 2006 | 11:58 PM
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What about doing your stock heads-with your mild cam it should be easy to get some good flow #'s. But like most of us on here, our first cam was nice. Once you have the itch you'll want to go bigger so it will be nice to already have heads that will be up to the task of handling more air.
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Old Feb 14, 2006 | 12:04 AM
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Originally Posted by electricz28
What about doing your stock heads-with your mild cam it should be easy to get some good flow #'s. But like most of us on here, our first cam was nice. Once you have the itch you'll want to go bigger so it will be nice to already have heads that will be up to the task of handling more air.
MTI Stage IIe's
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Old Feb 14, 2006 | 02:06 AM
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Originally Posted by electricz28
What about doing your stock heads-with your mild cam it should be easy to get some good flow #'s. But like most of us on here, our first cam was nice. Once you have the itch you'll want to go bigger so it will be nice to already have heads that will be up to the task of handling more air.
That's the thing, I have thought about going with a bigger cam while still being able to use 918 springs (something under .600" lift), but can't justify upgrading to a slightly larger cam for minimal gains. I have had my eye on the TSP 228R cam (228/228 .588"/.588" 112lsa) with the XER lobes, but just don't know. This would also include a set of heads and having the 228R cam would give me a larger variety to choose from. I guess I'm just thinking out loud... Thanks for the advice so far guys! Anyone else feel free to add.
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