We sell both, depends on budget when you get down to it. I would say Dart and AFR are the best or at the top of the list.

I went with AFR, every head to head test I saw, AFR made more peak and average power over everyone else. They flow more with smaller volume runners, which means more low end torque and better idle.

Correct!

Heres a question. Say you have a 8:1 aluminum headed blower engine, intercooler. And then you have a 9:1 Iron headed blower engine, but with a intercooler.

Assuming the quench, head design, cam, and all other parameters are identical. Which engine can run more boost without detonating?? The lower compression non intercooled version, or iron headed intercooled one with more compression??

The aluminum head will always be better, intercooled or not. They just dissapate heat better and faster. Iron heads can also have "hot spots" that can lead to detonation.

Also if you ever hurt an aluminum head, most of the time it can be repaired where a steel head cannot.

What comp ratio are you guys with alum going with?.......the only other concern was pairing an alum head to an iron block but I guess it been done enough times that any/most engine builders can do this?

What is the gerneral cost of hard anodizing?

when i got my AFR heads 3 weeks ago it was about a $150 option, per set, when i priced Brodix heads they were almost $500 or more a set, to hard anodize....

Look at all the production car engines that have been doing this for decades.

All you need is the correct head gasket.

I would also suggest port matching the heads and intake together. I paid around $250 the last time I had this done by Dean Gellner (sp)

I'm running 9:1 on my 388 SBC. 87 octane, Dart Pro1 180 cc heads, TPIS ZZ9 camshaft, TorkLink Intake, TPIS 90mm TB, 24 lb injectors, 425 HP @ 5400 RPM 441 ft. lbs @ 4700 RPM. This is in full marine dress through the exhaust manifolds and 3 inch "transom exhaust" out the back of the dyno cell.

Aluminum heads on an iron block is a concern from 40 years ago :) Many (almost all) engines made today have aluminum heads. More manufacturers are using aluminum blocks now but aluminum heads with iron blocks have been used with excellent success and no worries.