What’s the gain on a set of AFR 165/ 185’s?

[Spullinjr]

Thought I would ask, what hp benefit would I see from a set of AFR 165 or 185 heads on my 94 Cobra? And a tune and injectors. It’s bone stock no exhaust, no CAI. When I was young I liked the Flowmasters… and had a B Cam in a 90 GT I had. Older now, I like it to idle better, and. It wake the neighbors… just want a little more pep.

Would the 165 be better?

Thanks.

 

[95GTS302]

AFR 165’s on a stock 302 are a great improvement and along with a small cam, injectors and tune it will be a fun ride. I put AFR 165’s on 2 different stock 302 motors and was super happy and have even taken a pair of AFR 165’s into the high 9’s with just a spring upgrade on them. On dart 331 with 13-14lbs of boost and other supporting mods. They are a very nice head.

 

[Musturd]

If you’re going to add boost go with the bigger heads . You’ll have room to grow down the road as well , if you decide to do a stroker build

 

[ttocs]

I have trickflow 170s and with those and their stage 1 cam there was enough of a gain to notice. Trickflow use to advertise with those heads/cam and their intake that you could get close to 300 hp.

 

[Randall Garner]

AFR has a enforcer series out now. Assembled 650 ea. They are 185cc as cast. I saw a test and they did better than the Edelbrock rpm. Do 150-200 port work and they flow as good if not better than the 165 renegade. These might be a good option for mild builds . Heads alone with no cam you might get 40-50hp gain. No sure what the 94-95 302 has for pistons or cc heads

 

[Chip66]

I put AFR 165s on my otherwise all-stock '94 Cobra. No cam change, stock shorty headers.

I went with the 165s because they work perfectly with factory pistons and flow tremendously well for being small, which gives them great port energy.

I added a wide band to see where my fuel mixture was and found I was a bit lean on the high end. I added an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and solved that. It runs and idles perfectly.

I don't have dyno tests, but my 1/4 mile speed is now at 99 MPH. So it's up a little bit from factory power levels. I'm very green at the strip, so I won't even talk about my reaction time or 60ft time.

A cam is definitely in order. I didn't want to pick a cam until I figured out my end goal with the car.

The Cobra came with 24 lb injectors and should be good until boost is at play.

 

[Chip66]

One other thing. When picking a cam for heads like the AFR165, almost every off-the-shelf cam has an LSA way too big. This kills your bottom-end torque. Even the factory cam is way too wide. The smaller intake valve of the 165 makes this mismatched cam problem even worse.

 

[tinnocker]

On stock 94 gt with shorty headers and 373 rear. AFR 165 alum heads, 24 lb mass air, 24lb injectors, Scorpion rockers, 70 mm BBK throttle body, ported upper and lower Explorer type intake, Comp XE 266 HR CAM with 112 lobe separation. 293 hp @5400, 325 tork @ 3930 I have never timed it but it has the strongest 2nd gear that I have ever driven. It will plant you in the seat and about half way the rear gets squirrely. I am happy, but wanted 300 hp for bragging rights!

 

[Daryl]

The AFR 165’s were recommended to compliment my 347 stroker build. BBK 70mm throttle body, 24lb injectors, stock Cobra intake, CAI. So I think it’s fair to say that the previous replies are pretty much bang on, both the 165 and 185 applications

 

[joemomma]

Seems like Holdener recommends the 185s over the 165s for some reason. If you haven't watched any of his videos, they are good. Lots of good insight.