How much will shipping be, and how long will it take for me to receive the heads?
All of our website pricing for head packages includes shipping to your door direct from AFR once the heads are prepared. For comparison with other vendors, shipping costs on a pair of heads is typically $55-65, sometimes more. The reason we price the heads that way is because it is much easier than going back and forth getting shipping quotes for each potential buyer. Every set of AFR heads is prepared to order, and it usually takes them a couple of weeks to get the heads fully prepared and out the door. Depending on how busy they are at the moment, it can sometimes take a little longer.
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I think I want to use the 210cc or 220cc Race Ready heads, is that a good way to go?
I like to issue a fair amount of warning for people looking to buy the 210cc and 220cc heads, as many folks don't know what they're getting into. These are pretty heavy duty heads, and aren't really street gear. I get a lot of street guys that want these heads just because they think the 190/195's won't be enough for them, but the 210cc and 220cc heads are really geared towards serious racers that aren't concerned with driveability. It could very well be that the 210/220cc heads will be a little too much head and could actually hurt your powerband. They also come equipped with solid roller springs, so the use of a solid roller cam/valvetrain is necessary. If you want driveability and don't want to lose out on your low or mid powerband, consider going with the 190cc or 195cc Street Heads. If you don't feel they will be enough flow, you can always opt for the somewhat pricier Competition Package. I'm only suggesting this because way too many guys think they want to make big power so they'll get the bigger heads. There are plenty of people that make good use of the Race Ready heads, but the typical street car will not. They really are "Race Ready" in the true sense of the words, and are probably better labeled as "Race Only". With the top notch CNC porting AFR does, their 190/195cc heads are already very race ready, in my opinion. There are supercharged and nitrous cars making upwards of 700 HP with even the 190cc heads. I want to make sure you get the best heads for your application and are happy with your purchase! You may want to consider discussing your head choice with someone at AFR. After all, once the heads are ordered there's no turning back.
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What if I want to substitute hydraulic roller springs for the solid roller springs in the 210/220cc heads?
210/220cc Race heads come with solid roller springs and require the use of a solid roller cam and lifters. Hydraulic roller springs can be substituted for no cost, however the heads would "run like a pig" in that respect due to the large size of the intake runners. It's probably not something you want to consider doing.
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Do I want to consider the Competition Package heads for my street car?
You may want to, but it really depends on your budget. If you want extra flow, you can get AFR's Competition Porting Package. What this gets you is some more CFM on the intake side by 100% CNC porting the intake ports. AFR's Street Package heads have 70% CNC Ported Intake Ports with 100% CNC Ported Exhaust Ports and 100% CNC Ported Combustion Chambers. The other 30% of those intake ports requires a much greater amount of time on the CNC machine, however. Because of this, the extra flow you get is much more costly than with the Street Package heads. I consider the Competition Package Heads to be named so because in true professional competition, money is no object. The extra flow is nice, but if you've got a street car on a budget, that extra CFM may not be worth what you'll need to pay to get it.
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The head package I'm looking at comes with guideplates. What if I want to use self-aligning rocker arms?
You can remove the guideplates and use self-aligning rocker arms without a problem. You won't be able to get a credit for the guideplates, however, as they are part of the package.
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Can I buy a set of bare heads and assemble them with my own hardware?
AFR does offer their heads bare. However, these bare heads are AFR's bare castings and include no porting whatsoever. Because most of AFR's castings are made with the intention to CNC port them, they are unusable without a CNC porting job.
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Do you sell LT4 intakes to go along with the LT4 heads?
We don't have LT4 intakes available, and neither does AFR. You will need to order one elsewhere, probably from a GM parts dealer (as it is a genuine GM part). I recommend getting a price from Dal Slabaugh at VanDevere Olds. They ship nationwide and their prices on GM parts are very good for internet customers. That's where I personally order most of my GM parts. The number is 1-877-448-5451, just ask for the Dal in the Parts Department.
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Can I have my LT4 intake portmatched to the AFR heads?
The answer to that is Yes and No. Yes AFR has the ability and is willing to do it, but No they aren't willing to do so when they are too busy. It would need to be sent in with an RGA number to AFR's main address in California. As I said, however, tf they are busy they can't take that on--so check on a case-by-case basis. Chances are the answer will be No until Spring of 2004 when they move into their larger facility. They have been backup up for some time now and it isn't expected to get any better until then.
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190cc SBC heads are no longer available? What should I choose then?
All SBC and LT1 190cc heads have been discontinued. The 180cc and 195cc heads are the alternatives. The SBC 195cc and the LT4 195cc heads are still available and remain unchanged. The 180cc heads, however, have been upgraded for better flow at the low end, and are very comparable to the now discontinued 190cc heads. The 180cc Competition Package Heads have been ugpraded and tested and now actually outflow the now discontinued 190cc Competition Package Heads. The 180cc heads are the most appropriate for a 350 unless you're looking at a forced induction or nitrous application, which the 195cc heads are better suited for 383 or larger displacement small block. AFR said they have put 180cc heads on a 406 and made 495 horsepower, so the 180cc heads are definitely up for the task. They are a very streetable and well-performing head, and should definitely be considered for serious performance, especially street/strip applications.
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What's the deal with needing to get the heat riser heads?
All SBC Non-EO heads have been discontinued, and the SBC Street Heads with the heat riser option are to be used as a substitute. The heat riser (EGR Port) option was only $25 more anyway, and you don't need to use the port if you don't want to.
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