Has anyone seen AFR's new 290 oval ports?They also have 265's.I wonder If they would be better than the 305's?I am planning on getting the 305's as of right now,I just wandered how much of a performance difference the heads would make.

Nathan,
According to Tony they will not be available for quite a while. Probably not until late next year at the earliest :(

Mike,
Hey,Oh well I dont guess they are for me then I have to have them buy the first of april at the latest.Id say the 305's would be better for me anyway dont you.I need to email you about a cam I can get cheap I have all the information on the cam I will send it to you in a few.Thanks

You might want to check AFR's website or the latest issue of Super Chevy. These heads may be available now! The 265 cc ovals are $1500 per pair of bare castings w/valve job. I'll be very interested to see the bbc dyno's.

Lou,
They are not available yet regardless of what you read.
I talk to Tony pretty regularly & he is the designer of the head.
I would not get too excited until at least later in the year about getting them.
Well,,,,you can get excited but don't wait by your mailbox for them if it's cold outside :D

Well Mike,
I live in Ohio and it is very cold outside and I won't be waiting by my mailbox for them.
What's your opinion of these heads? I'm planning to put them on my single carb. 10 to 1 compressed 396 w/ hydraulic roller (or solid, not sure yet), Milodon gear drive, transmitted to a 12 bolt posi 3.73 through an M-22. Am I on the right track with this set up? In your best guess what would be your preliminary expectations of this set up? This is for a 69 SS that will be driven on the street in the summer on dry days. I've been waiting patiently for heads like these.

Originally posted by Lou Merrell:
Well Mike,
I live in Ohio and it is very cold outside and I won't be waiting by my mailbox for them.
What's your opinion of these heads? I'm planning to put them on my single carb. 10 to 1 compressed 396 w/ hydraulic roller (or solid, not sure yet), Milodon gear drive, transmitted to a 12 bolt posi 3.73 through an M-22. Am I on the right track with this set up? This is for a 69 SS that will be driven on the street on dry days. I've been waiting patiently for heads like these. I think they will be outstanding.
Tony is meticulous in his designs. Sorta like Harold & lobes :D
The bad side is getting them to market in a timley manner.
I keep hoping they will be out a little sooner but last I heard it's gonna be a while.
Another really nice head is the Brodix RR line with the CNC chamber option & they are available
If you need pricing on either email me, we can probably save you a dollar or so ;)

If you need a set of 290 CC aluminum heads dont foget about the GMPP 2.25/1.88 heads. They are cast by Edelbrock and have some decent flow numbers. I have mocked them up on a 402 block and the valves clear. You can pick them up for about $1630 complete. http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/chevyhighperformance/techarticles/p104893_image_small.jpg

But the E-brock heads aren't true ovals, but rather "Rovals" sorta deal!!

Are the new heads going to be true large ovals??

pdq67

Originally posted by pdq67:
But the E-brock heads aren't true ovals, but rather "Rovals" sorta deal!!

Are the new heads going to be true large ovals??

pdq67 Correct, when you place a oval intake gasket over them you can see its not much more that a squared off oval port, just a little taller. I ported my intake to match the heads, took a hour max.
http://www.samtaylor.com/images/parts/bbovalhead2_19.gif
It seems the AFR have the same aproach but with better numbers. http://www.airflowresearch.com/pages/images/260_oval.gif
One question on the AFR were is the coolant flow passages inot the intake?

To be honest I would love to have the AFR heads too, I have heard only good stuff about them but they are out of my price range.

I mentioned the roval thing b/c isn't Brodix bringing out a humongous head that is a true oval??

To me I would have to think that they are doing it b/c the true oval is a more eff. shape then either the roval or a rect. if they are bringing it out, imho...

pdq67

Are the 290's we have been hearing so much about and waiting for "as cast" or are they just the cnc'd version of the 265's. I ask this because the cnc option is quite a bit more pricey and this might help in making a decision to wait for them or not. graemlins/beers.gif

The 290 will be the 265 head CNC ported

Nathan ..... if your looking for heads ..and I agree the AFR's look excellent but do consider the Brodix BB O's . easier to install headers since exhaust port not raised and if you do decide on them do not even think twice about going withthe CNC chambers ..... had a friend order a set after he saw mine but he ordered thru discount house and no cnc chambers ......althought good, the heads were not even close to mine in preparation mine came with 5 angle valve job ports matched cnc chambers and needed almost nothing in way of clean up ...... his set cost more to clean up than I paid for cnc option ..... buy them through an engine builder like Wolfman !! who has an account at Brodix and get them shipped direct ....... as far as comparing them to GM alum ovals .... one of the mags ( can't recall right now) but think Feb Chevy Hi perf had an article on the 502 crate motor ...... they replaced the GM alum ovals and installed the Brodix RR BB o's for a nice increase ....... and if you really building big motor check out Brodix's site for the " new" monster ovals graemlins/thumbsup.gif

if you really interested i did take some pics of heads/ chambers before install could put them in TC showroom if you want to see

Bill

Hi Bill,
Thanks for the plug, glad we could help graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Sorry your friend didn't spring for the CNC chamber as inexpensive as it is but at least you got to see the difference first hand :D

Hey Wolfplace,
Any word from AFR on the new 265's oval heads?
I'm putting the body back down on the frame this weekend and beginning to 'see light at the end of the tunnel'.

Originally posted by Lou Merrell:
Hey Wolfplace,
Any word from AFR on the new 265's oval heads?
I'm putting the body back down on the frame this weekend and beginning to 'see light at the end of the tunnel'. =
Hi Lou,
Sorry but last I heard Tony has been very involved in doing the LS1 heads & last I checked the LS1's are just becoming available so maybe he will get back to the ovals.

I'll call him tomorrow & check but I would be looking at the Brodix oval for the near future unless you want to step into the 305 rect AFR.
email me & I will give you some prices, I can usually save you a dollar or two on either.
Also if you email me I will remember to call Tony & whine a little :D

Wolfplace,
I'm holding out for the AFR oval's, as I have plenty of time to wait for them. The engine is the last thing on my list right now. However, I would like your input on the complete set-up I have in mind with the AFR's:
I'm planning to put them on my single carb. 10 to 1 compressed 396 w/ hydraulic roller (or solid, not sure yet), Milodon gear drive, transmitted to a 12 bolt posi 3.73 through an M-22. Am I on the right track with this set up? In your best guess what would be your preliminary expectations of this set up? This is for a 69 SS that will be driven on the street in the summer on dry days. I've been waiting patiently for heads like these. And will continue to wait, as I said I have time and WILL NOT rush things.
THANKS

Me too. I need more chamber ( 116 ideally) , DCR is too high, and I'll put up with it until year, or until I an save my nickels and dimes!

Mr. Lewis, can the 290cc ones be used with a stock GM rect port intake, specifically mated to the Ultraseal 5828 gasket? Or too soon to tell?

Only hope them 074s still get a decent buck when I'm ready. I'll need it to swing the $$$ ARFs.

Ok guys, just called a harassed Tony & the ovals are probably going to be no sooner than next year at the earliest :(
He is deep into the LS1 head & they are just stupid efficient.

His Corvette is making 480HP & 437 lbs ft at AT THE REAR WHEELS with a stock short block & a small hyd roller like 224/228 on a 114 lsa installed at 113 :eek:
This is with the small (205) head.
He is now working on the new larger head.

Anyway,,, the ovals probably won't be available before next year sometime.
I do believe Mr. Mamo knows cylinder heads :D

Lou,
Sounds like you are building a really nice combo.
With a 396 & these heads, a 220 four speed & 3.73's I'd be looking at a solid for sure & probably more compression but it kinda depends on what your plans are.
I think that sucker is going to want to RPM to the moon.
I would probably go with even lower gears but no one ever accused me of being real bright :D

With the advances in springs, lifters & light weight parts I am slowly learning from others that hyd rollers with the right combination of parts can & will RPM very good but I am still a solid guy,, what can I say,, they just sound cool :D
Guess I'm gonna have to find the time to play with some hyd stuff :rolleyes:

Gene,
Don't see why not, I'm guessing you want your tri power on them?? No reason what will bolt to a standard oval would be a problem on these.
Mismatched ports are not my favorite combo but people do it & it seems to work.
Why don't you just put the 305's on there? I think you would be pleasantly surprised ;)

You both might want to post to Bill (CDNSS) or Ray (Mr68) about their impressions of the Brodix heads as they are available & really are nice with the CNC chamber option.

As always email me if I can help

I dont want to highjack, but the GM sing head was brought up. Do current domed pistons work with the gm,rpm chamber design exceptially the old L78 piston with a 34-38CC dome....

THanks, just making plans....

Mike, yes, I'm sure the 305s would pick up nicely from the 'fragile' and modestly ineffective 320+cc 074s on there now.

Oddly, Tony's schedule coincides with my finances on this! graemlins/sad.gif

Wolfplace:
"Lou,
Sounds like you are building a really nice combo.
With a 396 & these heads, a 220 four speed & 3.73's I'd be looking at a solid for sure & probably more compression but it kinda depends on what your plans are."

Don't get me wrong; I will go to the strip when time affords it because its only about 50 miles to Norwalk but mainly, I will be going to shows and cruises around town.
I have absolutely no problem with going with a solid roller. A solid roller with the timing gear set and an M-22 rockrusher will make this car sound like a jet, don't you think?
One question. How often must a valve lash adjustment be made with the solid rollers? And also, can this be done cold?
What I want is basically stock appearance with stump pulling capabilities and built in efficiency.
So, what would you advise?

Originally posted by Lou Merrell:
Wolfplace:
One question. How often must a valve lash adjustment be made with the solid rollers? And also, can this be done cold?
What I want is basically stock appearance with stump pulling capabilities and built in efficiency.
So, what would you advise? =

Yes the lash can be set cold & will be .004-.006 tighter with aluminum heads.
Set em & check them hot to see the difference but on a small block .004 will be within a thou of the recommended hot setting with aluminum heads.
With a rat I would use .005.

After the valve train settles down (probably 2 or three adjustments) you probably won't need to adjust the valves as often as you should change your oil ;)

Forget stump pullin power with a 396, build it to RPM, throw gear at it & have fun :D

"Forget stump pullin power with a 396, build it to RPM, throw gear at it & have fun."

AWW! Does that mean that I won't be able to pull the front wheels off the ground? :mad:

Originally posted by Lou Merrell:
"Forget stump pullin power with a 396, build it to RPM, throw gear at it & have fun."

AWW! Does that mean that I won't be able to pull the front wheels off the ground? :mad: =
Pullin the wheels is no problem, good suspension & don't leave like a sissy :D :D

BTW, here's what leaving down on power with too much clutch will sometimes do :eek:

The going up wasn't bad but the landing sucked :D
And no, I didn't qualify real good on this
run :(
This is S&S Automotive's AADA (FMD for all you youngsters)at the Bakersfield March Meet circa 1977

http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/19/190264/Rear_Engine_Wheelstand_1.JPG

Holy Detroit dude!
I was thinkin' more on the line of 2-4 inches to put the wieght on the rear tires. I don't want to go to the moon :eek: