Air Flow Research Heads
 

The other day I posted here about a 540 motor I am putting together. See attached link.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ngine+build-up

The short block parts are already ordered. I am trying to decide on the heads. I have talked to Dart and A.F.R. I like AFR better, their flow numbers are real good. However, Jason from AFR told me that they are using "REV" valves.. I never heard of them.. I thought everyone is using Manleys. Is anyone using these valves?

The other question is aluminum heads. With 9 1/2 compression, aluminum heads will not help me. Steel would be better. Also, I wanted to use my closed cooling system from my 454 Magnum. I am not certain it will keep a 540 cool enough. My 454 Magnum runs at 170*, this 540 will have a 140* t-stat in it. The cooler temperature has to help the heat exchanger deal with the extra cubes somewhat---I guess..

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Well Check, I think closed cooling is the perfect match for Al heads....salt or fresh water. I would try to run your existing cc system-if it keeps the mag plenty cool, me thinks running where you run your rig-it should be plenty. Why not run your temps up a bit...that way you could run a little tighter PTW? Thats one of the big advantages of cc- things such as clearances and tunability are more constant.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

You can order the AFR heads with "hard anodized" water passeges for $90 extra. Well worth the money, especially if you are going to run in the salt.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Thanks for the replies.

sutphen30,
So, you are saying that Rev valves are better than Manley. I just never heard of them..


john.s,

The next time I talk to AFR, I will inquire about the " Hard anadizing"

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

I'm using the AFR 315 CNC heads on my 540's and am pleased with them. I've used AFR heads on automotive SBC's, and the BBC castings are much better.

I bought them bare, except for copper-berrylium valve seats and hard anodizing. I put Del West inconel exhaust and stainless intake valves in them, along with Isky Tool Room springs (really made by PSI), and Crower titanium retainers. After giving the valves a 30* back cut, we flowbenched them and exceeded AFR's flow claims. With a Crane 741 roller cam, Victor Jr intake and Holley 850 carb, they made ~690hp (@6000rpm) and 650 ft lbs on the dyno. Other than forgetting to hook the choke connections up, they have run flawlessly since I installed them last spring.

Here are the results and comparisons to what AFR claims @ 28" H20. The heads are "out of the box" with no additional porting or epoxy.

We tested with an out of the box Manley Severe duty intake valve, and then with a backcut inconel Del West Intake valve of the same diameter which I am using.

..........AFR CLAIMS.......MANLEY SEVERE........B/C Del West
.200........169.0..................169.28......... .............177.45
.300........249.0..................248.64......... .............261.45
.400........312.0..................306.36......... .............327.60
.500........353.0..................352.98......... .............363.59
.600........380.0..................375.18......... .............391.40
.700........387.0..................390.72......... .............394.74
.800..........N/A....................391.12......................3 94.91

I would say that AFR's claims are pretty accurate. The discrepancy's are around 1% which can be accounted for by atmospheric conditions and variations between flowbenches.

The basic combo is: Dart Big M block, 9.0:1 static compression, 4.500" bore x 4.25" stroke, 9.800" deck, Crane 741 hydraulic roller cam, Crane roller lifters, AFR 315 CNC heads with backcut Del West stainless intake valve, Del West inconel exhaust valves, Isky (PSI) "Tool Room" springs, Crower stainless rockers, JE forged pistons, Crower 4340 billet 6.386 rods, Crower semi-lightweight 4340NT crank, Victor Jr intake, Holley marine 850cfm 4150 carbs, MSD Pro-Billet Distributor, etc....

RPM.......TQ.......HP
4000.....643......490
4100.....644......503
4200.....644......515
4300.....649......532
4400.....654......548
4500.....655......561
4600.....660......578
4700.....660......590
4800.....655......599
4900.....652......609
5000.....651......619
5100.....648......629
5200.....645......639
5300.....642......649
5400.....638......656
5500.....635......665

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Monty, I'm sure that I told you before, but that is one sweet engine! It looks like a perfect blueprint for 1000 HP supercharged.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Monty,

Great information!! Thanks alot for the help.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

If you want an indorsement in regards to REV Valves, Dean Nickerson is the person who clued me in on their existence. I would definitely go with the hard anodizing. It is a $189.00 upcharge.
My engine builder went with the AFR 305cc heads with the CNC'd chambers on my 9.2:1, Dart based 540. Manley valves. Cam is a Comp with 236/[email protected] duration, LSA is 112 and valve lift is .630/.635. 1050 Nickerson carb with a single plane Merlin intake.
706 hp@5400 rpm and 700 ft/lbs@5000 rpm on the dyno.
Hope this helps.
Russ

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

AFR will install the killer feria valve which is better than manley innconel ,, rev vavlves are goood if the are their best series

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

I had a set of Dart Merlin heads, I cleaned up the intake ports, sent them to Weston machine for a valve job and assembly, then CC'd the combustion chambers. They produced 5000 rpm and 82 mph on my boat. I made some extra money in the stock market so I sent a brand new set of Dart Merlin heads to AFR, they cc'd combustion chambers at 130 cc's, ported intakes and valve job...2.25 intake 1.90 exhaust. They produced exactly 5000 rpm and 82 mph.
I've spent more on less.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

So has anyone used the stock 454 mag closed cooling system with a 540?

Vinny, I think your concerns with rev valves have been answered. If OSO members haven't done it no one has.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Dave,
You're right. There is a wealth of knowledge here. Someone here has done just about anything you can think of. I am leaning toward going with the 315 cnc heads. On my desktop dyno, they will make 670 h.p.@ 5500 and 685 ft lbs torque @ 4500. That's good enough for me.

What's the benefit to having the water passages " Hard Anodized "? I assume it will delay the corrosion process of salt water..

Also what's the advantage of copper berrylium seats?

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Monty,

Could you post the exhaust flow numbers on your heads too please? It looks like the AFR heads to a really nice jump in the flow numbers with the Del West valves. Is there supposed to be anything special about the Del West valves that causes the AFR heads to flow better?

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

CigFirefox, Not picking on you, but is this a mistake?

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

I saw that too and no I have not but I would think that heat exchanger would be a little small for a 540. Cooler thermostat will not help on MAX heat load on system.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

yes

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Vinny,I built a 548(9.7 cr,AFR 315,650hp,680 tq pulling all accessories & wet headers))My boat didn't come with a closed cooling system so I looked in the aftermarket.Mine works great.The heat exchanger is huge (4x32 inches)Call me at the shop Monday & I'll give you the name.1.504.486.7070 BOB

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

RLW, do you remember the cam pt. number? I'm not happy with the one I'm using, Crane 651. Thanks.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Bob280,

Thanks for the help. I will call Monday. Or if you can, just P.M. me the information.

Vinny

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Patriyacht,
I have the cam information at home.
I will get it to you.
Russ

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Vinny,I built a 548(9.7 cr,AFR 315,650hp,680 tq pulling all accessories & wet headers))My boat didn't come with a closed cooling system so I looked in the aftermarket.Mine works great.The heat exchanger is huge (4x32 inches)Call me at the shop Monday & I'll give you the name.1.504.486.7070 BOB

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Monty, can you please post the exhaust flow numbers on those AFR's. Also, did you use Del West valves on the exhausts as you did on the intakes? Thanks. :)

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Today I oredered a set of AFR315 cnc heads. I should have them in 4-6 weeks. Thanks to all for the help.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Glad to see that you ordered the AFR's, you will be a lot happier with those than the Iron Eagles.
Any thoughts on intakes ? Still going with the Dart or have you considered the Brodix ?

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Kaama,

With Del West inconel exhaust valves, the flow numbers were:
LIFT.....CFM @ 28"
.200.....147.46
.300.....187.68
.400.....245.14
.500.....281.84
.600.....304.88
.700.....316.20

The main reason I used Del West over Ferrea or Manley was that I had a friend that worked at CV Products, a big supplier to NASCAR down in North Carolina, and he hooked me up with them for the same price as the Manley's.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

26 Scarab,

I am pretty much set on using Darts' single plane intake. Jason from AFR also likes the Dart over the Brodix. He said it seems to line up to their ports better.

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

I am running REV valves in my Nickerson prepped 355 Pro 1's. I was actually surprised to see them when I recieved the heads. My motor is a 10:1 solid roller 598" and it has good power to say the least. Nickerson would not use a valve that is not up for the task and making reliable power is his business. My power is unknown, but in my 23' cat I twist a 30" labbed Bravo 6600 RPM through 1.36 gears. A 32 lab will likely be the prop of choice, but the acceleration of the 30 is pretty sick!! I almost went with AFR's, but I already had Jesel rockers for the Pro 1's so I stuck with the Darts. I am also running a match ported single plane Dart intake with a 1500 CFM Nickerson Dominator on top. You will be happy with the AFR's!!!
Craig

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Not to hijack the thread but what is your GPS speed Wette Vette. That boat should be extremely fast, turning those gears and that prop to 6600. What brand boat is that motor in by the way?

Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

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Re: Air Flow Research Heads
 

Kaama,
Please take a look at the other thread about oval or rectangular port intakes. I posted a picture I wanted you to take a look at.

thanks