Here's the deal I'm going to be picking up a set of aluminum heads for my 351w but I need help picking the head that is best suited to my other mods so here's what we have:

9.25 to 1 compression with stock heads

i've got a performer intake but will be switching to an rpm airgap with the new heads

crane cam h-272-2 cam, 484/512lift 272/284duration my cam card says optimal rpm is 1800 to 6000

6000rpm is about is much as I want this motor to see.

I'm trying to decide between the AFR 165 head with the 1.90" valves or the 170 trickflow heads with the 2.02" valves. Is the intake runner too small of the AFR 165? and will the 2.02" valves rob me of my bottom end torque with the trickflows? Any advice would be superb! Any other recomendations to I just want my low end torque and a head that wi give that to me and not run out of breath by 6000rpm.

 

The AFR 165's may be a bit "small" considering your displacement. Probably better with the AFR 185's. Another thing to consider with the AFR heads is the combustion chamber size/rocker arm option. If you want to keep close to your stock compression ratio, choose the combustion chamber size that closely matches the ones on your current heads. The "rocker arm option" depends on if you are going to use stud mount vs. pedestal mount rocker arms - IIRC, only the 60cc combustion chambers are available for pedestal mounted rockers. 58cc & 72cc chambered heads are set up for stud mounted roller rockers.
The Trickflow heads with 2.02 valves shouldn't negatively affect low-end torque. If anything, it seems the RPM manifold may shift your torque curve higher compared to the Performer. Best to consult with someone more knowledgeable about your proposed parts upgrades. As with both heads, always check piston to valve clearance and I strongly recommend getting custom length pushrods as part of optimizing your valvetrain geometry considering the higher lift cam and the new heads (you probably need a set of hardened ones to work with the guideplates if you go with stud mounted roller rockers anyway).
BTW, is your cam/lifter combo hyd. flat tappet, hyd. roller, or solid roller?

 

I'm actually hoping to go up a point in compression with this headswap so I'm looking into the 60/61 cc combustion chambers. I'm allready running stud mounded roller rockers so that is not an issue. On the trick flow 170 heads they claim that you can run the 2.02" valves with stock pistons up to a .554" lift and I'm within those parameters. The cam is hydraulic and I plan on getting new pushrods with the upgrade. So is there any way other than mocking the afrs on my motor to see if there will be a piston/valve confliction?

 

I think I've decided on the AFR 185's I called the boys at federal mogul and the confirmed that my pistons will work. this article is what did did it for me.

http://www.airflowresearch.com/artic...le102/A-P1.htm

does anybody know what size pushrods i'll need?

 

Get a pushrod length checking tool. You can get one for around $15. This way you will know exactly what you need.

 

Can you pick these up locally? Or only online?

 

I got mine online from Summit. Trickflow makes them as do others.