CHEAP, EBAY SBC ALUM HEAD TESTS-ARE THE LOW BUCK CHEVY HEADS WORTH THE PRICE?
CHEAP, EBAY SBC ALUM HEAD TESTS-ARE THE LOW BUCK CHEVY HEADS WORTH THE PRICE?
BACK TO BACK SBC TEST-FULL RESULTS. DO CHEAP SBC ALUM HEADS ACTUALLY PERFORM?
What happens when you compare no-name, cheap heads to brand-name, performance heads? Do the cheap heads actually make hp? if so, How much power do the cheap heads makes? Are the hp gains worth the price? How do the low buck heads compare to the brand name heads? What about the big-$, brand -name heads-are they worth the price? We ran them back-to-back to find out how they stack up! Check out the full results.
I would like to see the AFR195 as cast heads in a comparison. They seem to be a lot cheaper than the CNC heads, but they might be a lot less power as well.
….not to mention the loss of throttle response between the 216cc Pro-Comp and the 195cc AFR…..
Velocity is critical. Spend the money if you can !!
I think a 110 lobe separation is to wide. 106 would be perfect.
You always compare stuf that don’t compare et you don’t show your dyno run
Just because the AFRs were 80hp better on the larger cam doesn’t mean they are 80hp better on the 218/224 hyd. rlr. The CNC’d cheapies would be within 25hp most likely. With most people buying these offshore heads bare, by the time a person assembles these heads with decent parts, the cost ends up about a 1/4-1/3 of AFRs. Obviously if you can pony up $2k, do it. On a driver, I would gladly give of 20-30hp at 6200rpm for the savings and on a track-car, I would never consider the speedmasters. It’s all about purpose.
I am running a set of dart motown heads
220 intake runners
2.05 intake
1.60 exhaust
67 cc chambers
I run 12.1 pistons with a single plane intake , pro-form 750 double pumper
Hyd cam ,560/585 lift
320/325 duration 110 lobe separation msd 7AL ignition with a pro power coil
aluminum vs cast I will go with aluminum .
Thank you for your time and consideration on this subject 👍
How do the pro comps compare to smog head though?
I’d like too see roundup comparison of budget heads. Like Vortecs vs. ProComps(speedM) vs. NKB ect. The NKB heads SkipWhite sells have sparked my interest. Also noticed Blueprint engines heads look like NKB’s with BPE engraved on the faces and they seem too make great power on their sbc crates.
AFR new Budget Enforcer heads are about $900 complete.
first combo would be a great truck engine with that bottom end torque.
From what I’ve read on forums, the hardware as delivered is cheesey cheap. The machine work sloppy. Get the castings bare, and add quality hardware. If what I’ve read is true, there was probably valve recession, and lack of seal during the test.
You literally cannot even get half of the heads you are talking about on these videos sold as individual or even sets they will only sell them as a complete top end kit now. You are going through old data and making comparisons but you are not comparing anything modern by at least a decade. PLEASE start testing the current market instead of what Westech has on their shelves. Good general info but there are a lot of flaws and it is showing hard.
I love the low end torque of a SBC! Been debating on putting a cam/head SBC in my truck over a LS.
What if you polished up the cheap heads… mild port, decent polish. Then see what happens and cost with headwork vs the more expensive heads.
How about using the trick flow heads vs afr heads .
The cheap head wouldnt be scary to do a port and polish on it where the afr head , i wouldnt want to touch it. So i guess if your in the mid set of at minimum gasket matching the heads, Id go with the cheap head because it wouldnt be that big of a deal if you mess the head up.
I need a fourth type an iron sb2 head
So, we know the performance difference, what’s the price difference? Did I miss it? (Kinda important considering the title)
I would save up and buy the AFR
Vortec might be better than the procomps
I’d put my old cast iron 1970’s Ford 351C 4V heads up against those cheap Procomp Chevy heads any day of the week.
Now, those AFR’s actually made that 383 into a cool little mouse motor.
Like to see cheap unported heads tore down. Did the valves seal all around? were the seat widths right? were the back angles concentric?
What casting flash in bowls? What springs did they use ie. valve float problem?
Did you track the ignition timing? Does the Chinese head use more advance?
I would love to see a shoot out with the shit white nkb200/proheader/assault heads against a dart 200 platinum head. These are copies of the dart heads. A CNC program will work on the the above China heads, and they are pretty nice castings.
Id like to see a shootout between aftermarket gen 2 lt1 heads, and a popular porting job on stock heads from lloyd elliot.
I believe the key to AFR’s making power is their exhaust flow numbers and port shape and velocity. I was watching one show and they had a short interview with Kaase and he was saying a lot of guys chase the biggest flow numbers but without proper shape and velocity it doesn’t matter. I can’t remember which head he was talking about but he said that they could change the port and pick up airflow but when they did that they lost something like 50-100hp and that’s what he was contributing it to. All I know is when Kaase starts talking about heads I listen.
Raised port runners
Not a good comparison. Do as cast. Taking the more expensive head, and cnc ported. If anything should’ve ported the pro comp.
im buying the AFR 195 heads i have a blueprint head that cost less then 1000bucks. hope i gain 80 hp with new heads shit even 50hp i will be happy
This goes to show why the LS is so popular.
haha Richard holder. I’ve been known to hold my Richard from time to time.
Wanting to put an 02 sensor in my caminos header collector
Dont have access to a welder….are those clamp in kits ok meaning do they read properly?
On sbc cams always liked the 280 (isky or Elgin)mega cams
Would have been more informative if you could give some other differences between the heads besides chamber and port volume and price.
I’m a auto machinest with 37 yrs experience. It’s to unfair a test. Those things aren’t even deburred yet. The AFR s are totally ported. The bowls have been blended. I have done a few Chinese heads. The cheaper 200CFM with Chinese heads given a nice cleanup and blend job flows with oversized 2.055 intakes like the AFRS unfair advantage. The Chinese heads I’m playing with do infact, outperform your 383. I had the same 2 cams with 10.5 cr. Powerwise, the smart thing to do is use Rhoades lifters and knock back your low speed duration back. Basically my 284 cam runs with the low end of the 274. I hopped up the lift by installing 1.6 rockers for what comes out. To 204.5 cc after the match port, deburing and bowblend. There are 2 types of Chinese heads and you better check out yours. You may need a vortech intake. In using the 383 with the quick ramps of the XE cams like we both used, you need something like an rpm. 6500rpm. Thing is the 383s cubes eat up all that duration.
I also have that engineering background too. You should do what is a weekend warrior version on the matchup in my opinion. We can do that in a few hours. At home, it would be a weekend problem. It is also interesting to note, the 76cc exhaust ports crushed the AFRs. I only deburred and blended. Nothing special.
My advise is, you have a weekend project to save a grand. To anyone who is reading and you have the vortec v version ports, you need to add a few bolt holes and use vortec gaskets. Love your vids! You are a good teacher. Peace out
How can even think that’s a fair comparison
It is very simple. I have seen failed ProComps with dropped valves, valves nipping in the guides, inserts falling out. And they do not flow!! And generally need an overhaul before you use them!!
The AFRs are a quality piece and make better power and driveability. And have no problems.
Personally I feel there is better heads than AFRs at similar cost and quality. But I would use them.
for the difference in cost your car will go from running a 13 second quarter mile to a 12 second quarter mile.
No comparison, procomp has a as cast finish compared to the Afr head had a cnc finish big fail.
I have a 1988 350 , and my dad’s friend is selling me some aluminum heads from a corvette , im wondering if they will preform better than my stock iron heads or are just as good or worst because they are stock heads (i dont know what year motor they come from btw) i would aprecciate if you’d give me your opinion on if I should buy them or not
It would have been nice with a $ pr hp to see what is cheap, and not :- )
Get out the die grinder and hogm out.
Can the cheap head be ported and cleaned up to get close to the same results??
My engine builder talked me into RPC heads over Edelbrock on my 357. I hope it was a good decision.
Great video and to the point.
Here’s what we need…
A small block Chevy, tested with everything made for a SBC, vs everything made for a SBC, then we can decide!!!
Then do it again for the BBC!!
Thanks Richard, you’re the best!!
Pro-Comp heads are 1/3 the cost so with the money you save add a 200 shot of nitrous
Where did you get that shirt?
As fast and clean it up yourself
Hello; I like it!
All though why not research the efficentcy potential of the 90° V8 Push Rod Engine. CHEVROLET 383/350 Strocker W/6" rods… Volumetric efficent ideal extreem 100% parameters covered… Knife cut crank shaft/ titanium rods ladeda…
Say Saturday night Special Street Fighter Wicked Combination. On pump gassoleyne /octane booster@ … Let’s say mini shop machanic friendly 100octane… Or even extrems finding the potential to no man’s land. Cheverolet kept from knowing due to cost friendly mass production public supply and demand…
What can you build? Say we all have a couple 327/350 or maybe a 383 collecting dust.
Not to turn our back in them just yet because popularity of North Star, LS… Trying to keep it brief… LT what Third generation… What is the ideal octane, crank shaft stroke& Wieght, connecting rod lenghth&Wieght, Ideal materials/ Alloys, temperatures cooling block& heads to prioritize exact temperatures (:? 145°
Fully covering valve lift& durations… Maximum RPM’s of 90°π… V8 small block 350/327/307/305/283(:? 342,409,,,,the wedge!
402/396, 427,454, 496/502, 632 etc.
What is the ideal; see! Do you hear me?
What is the ideal displacement etc. For our 90°V8… Head Supreme, maximum compression that the Saturday Night Special Muscle Car entheussist …
Are you hiring?
We’d all like to build our 350’s
Right? No computer excuses
Dead ends
Hard core pump friendly w/ additives.
Maybe ALKAHOL too. Later emissions loupole…
What is the largest flowing head characteristics, with most tecknowgeicaly advanced application of a old school 350.
You mounted AFR CNC’d Top End… Where does it top out?
Is there a NEUMERIC combination mathematically discovered?
LS3= Rectangle Port Old School 427 heads a top of small block…
I hOpe this MaKes SCENCE…
409 was a freak accident.
402 was GM Workers dicking around on Saturday… Boring 396 o.o30= 402.
Say an engine that can be driven a cross country. A few times round trip. You know a 45 minute 20,000/9,300 rpm burst on open high way.
What is the ideal RPM of the 90° V8?
Ideal 90° number of cylinders…
Compression…
Head size…
Ideling rpms@ crusing speeds
Well now for what it’s worth…
I APPRICIATE your time.
I’m brief… The sky is the limits.
The Pro-Comps are terrible.