CNC heads

[Fbody69]

What is the average HP gain for CNC ported, polished chambers and a 3 angle valve job cylinder head? Is it worth it or should i buy some AFR or Darts for my SBC camaro?

-Rob

[SStrokerAce]

The CNC port is only as good as the program and the orginal port it was designed after.

Most times yes porting by hand or by CNC machine is beneficial but you have to make sure you pick a good head porter.

My preference in motors is to start off with a as cast head that is smaller than what I need and have the head ported. I would say that 75% of the time I opt for hand porting due to the uniqueness of the situation with the engine where a CNC program doesn't fit the bill for the heads.

Bret

[streetk14]

I'm not sure of your application, but it's hard to go wrong with AFR heads. All of their heads are "CNC ported". In each intake runner size, they offer both a basic head (which has cnc'd ports) or a competition package head that is 100 % CNC ported. I saw a set of their 195cc competition package heads on a fairly mild 420ci small block put out 550hp on the dyno. Pretty impressive for a relatively small head. IMOP, when you buy a head like an AFR, you are getting proven performance. You know what you're getting. Just my 2 cents.
-Andy

[SStrokerAce]

Than again i've seen a AFR BBC head get smoked by a well done Edelbrock head. Yes you know what you are getting but I don't really think they are the be all end all of heads. FWIW I'm not a huge fan of AFR heads.

Bret

[JamesJ]

I am about to build a blown SBC and use a set of Dart heads, And have my motor builder port them.

[Matt@RFR]

Why is noone talking about Brodix or Pro-Topline of New Zealand? Both offer CNC machined ports, and both are outstanding heads, with excellent customer service.

In my opinion, CNC machined ports are only worth the money if you just happen to be running the same combination that the ports were designed for. If not, working with a good head porter will do wonders.

[SStrokerAce]

Pro-Topline is now RHS owned by Comp.

As for the Brodix stuff, I've used the Weld Tech CNC ported T1's and have made 600hp out of a street 365 cube motor.

Bret

[Matt@RFR]

Bret, do you have any more info on the Pro-Topline move to RHS? I went to the RHS website and under small block heads, all they have listed is a 23º head. I'm more interested in the 12º and 14º heads.

Also, Pro-Topline's NZ website is unchanged.

[68protouring454]

nt sure about the website but i saw rhs at sema and they had a as cast version of there bigblock heads and are working on getting the cnc ones done, he said it will be a few months but they will get them perfect.
jake

[SStrokerAce]

I cant get on to Pro Top Lines site but that's where RHS came from. I know a few people that are looking forward to seeing the shallow angle cast iron heads for some drag racing classes.

My rep at Comp Cams moved over to RHS, I'll ask him what the deal is on the shallow angle heads when I'm at PRI.

Bret

[Kenova]

My rep at Comp Cams moved over to RHS, I'll ask him what the deal is on the shallow angle heads when I'm at PRI.
Bret
While you're talking to him, ask him to talk to someone about their (RHS) web site. Compared to AFR's web site, RHS's is little more than a sales pitch. If they want to make a sale, they need to offer some real technical information on their product.
Ken

[Matt@RFR]

Ken, I know what you're saying, but if they are truly carrying Pro-Topline stuff, then that's good enough for me. :)

Bret, I would appreciate it. I've had my eye one the Pro-Topline 14º heads for a few years now, wishing I had something to put them on. Either those or the Brodix 12º heads.

[streetk14]

What is the average HP gain for CNC ported, polished chambers and a 3 angle valve job cylinder head? Is it worth it or should i buy some AFR or Darts for my SBC camaro?

-Rob


Back to Rob's question. Everybody has their personal favorite brand and opinion on what head is best. What head you need really comes down to the engine size, combination and intended use. Any good quality, properly sized aftermarked head will be a huge improvement over an old, stock cast iron head. They all come with performance valve jobs and 2.02" (or larger) valves. Trick flow makes a great 195cc head for the money. It really depends on what you want out of the engine. If you give us a little more info we might be able to steer you in the right direction.
-Andy

[Kenova]

Matt, I've checked out Pro- topline's web site and found some very impressive heads. If the RHS porting quality can also be re-established with the name, they should be awesome heads. That's where the need for flow charts and such come in. Even if the manufacturers numbers are suspect, it at least gives you something to compare heads with.

Andy, I think you pretty well nailed it. Port requirements change for applications, engine size, and even driver preferrence.

Ken