88TPI406GTA

I am looking to get a set of the as cast 220cc heads for my 406 with a SR. The flow #'s look great and they are pretty cheap.

Anyone have experience with these heads? Like dyno numbers?

TIA,

IROCBlueZ28

I beleive AFR makes these heads? If so, they should work awsome!

88TPI406GTA

Actually, according to the website (www.procylinderheads.com) the company is in New Zealand. But I have seen AFR advertising them on their website.

Most people don't research these too far because the smallest intake runner size is 220cc. With a 406, however, I think that it would be ok. Even if I may lose some low end torque...great....it would help things

Greasemonkey

As far as I know they also make a 180cc and 200cc version. When I e-mailed them they gave me back some pretty good flow numbers for the 180's and 200's, but they only gave me peak numbers and did not tell what lift they were at. I e-mailed AFR first and they said that once they used up the stock they had that they weren't going to sell Pro Action heads any more.

88TPI406GTA

That is interesting...on their website I only see 220cc intake runner and above.

And no mention of them any more on the AFR site. If AFR thinks they are high enough quality to be a distributor of, maybe there is something there.

Greasemonkey

This is from the e-mail I got back from them.

180cc street performance flows 268cfm,200cc -275 cfm max street ,220cc - 290 cfm 350 cube race,235cc -300cfm larger cube race.

The flows number seem really good. Their system was messed up when I contacted them, but if they would have responded quicker I probably would have picked up a set of the 180's. Went with a set of 180cc Iron Eagles instead.

FAST LiFE

iTrader: (3)

The Pro Action is from New Zealand. Air Flow Research does not manufacture them. AFR is only a distributor for the Pro Action heads. AFR has no involvement in the Pro Action heads design or manufacturing. The reason why AFR will not be selling them after their stock runs out is that the Pro Action heads seem to have become competition to their own product, performance wise and definitely cost wise.
A machinist friend of mine had gotten a few of the 220’s in, both cast in cast iron and in aluminum and they are excellent castings. I’ve been selling them off for him to friends and people I build motors on the side for:
This is the flow data that we have on the 220’s off a Super Flow flow bench:

Intake @28” of water

.100” 71.82
.200” 148.21
.300” 203.58
.400” 248.86
.500” 264.71
.600” 273.38
.700” 284.11

Exhaust @28” of water

.100” 56.70
.200” 101.13
.300” 158.54
.400” 177.30
.500” 185.66
.600” 192.10
.700” 195.76

These are with 2.02” intake/1.60” exhaust valve. Ports are the as cast condition out of the box and valve seats are a standard 3 angle valve job. Considering that these flow numbers are from as cast ports and NOT ported like the AFR’s and are considerably cheaper in price, they are something to be considered over the AFR’s, especially when ported 80% ported like the AFR’s. They are now available in 180cc and 200cc ports, which gives them more flexibility to cover different engine sizes.
We do have a few of these bare in cast iron and aluminum left. If anyone’s interested, email me and we can get together a set for a good price. The bowls will be blended to give a few more CFM’s and the springs will be tailored to your cam. Larger valves and additional porting can also be accommodated for more airflow. Again, email me if you’re interested.

88TPI406GTA

Those are some impressive flow numbers. I have heard though that some heads don't have the best valve job. Is it an issue for the heads you have seen?

Greasemonkey

Fast LIfe: Do you have any flow bench numbers for the 180's or the 200's? Just trying to find out how they flow at lower lifts.

tpi_roc

I've seen a pair or two of these at the local machine shop. The guy swears by them, and obviously the flow numbers are increadible. They're a "raised runner" design, which changes the lenght a bit, thus the Intake "cc" comes out bigger, (220) although cross sectionally they're similar to other "street" heads. Great torque and Great horse power, a best of both worlds design. On a 406 especially 220's nothing to be afraid of, just fear the power you'll make

FAST LiFE

iTrader: (3)

The valve job is good, have no complaints about them. As far as the flow number for the 180cc and the 200cc, I don't have any flow number for those heads. They weren't available at the time, so the only heads we picked up were the 220's.

88TPI406GTA

Actually, the aluminum version of the Iron Lightning heads are identical to the iron version, no raised runner design.

Competition Products in WI is selling the bare Iron Lightning heads for $499 (on sale) and the aluminum for $699.

I broke down and bought a set of the bare 220cc aluminum heads. I paid $75 extra for the CNC chamber/bowl option on both heads ($75 total per pair). They are angle plug heads, which is fine. The flow #'s are very similar to the AFR 210s and actually have a bit more flow at lower lift.

After doing a lot of research on who is carrying the Pro Action heads here in the US...if you find a set, buy them. They are so popular that they can't keep them in stock much in the US.

The only real issue here now is my Edelbrock Hi-flo baseplate and what intake gasket to use...it will be a while until I build up these heads and probably a year until I actually swap them on.

88TPI406GTA

Got an email response from Pro-Action on the 200cc flow numbers. These are for aluminum or cast iron, same as with the aluminum version of the Iron Lightning head (220cc) being the same as the iron for flow.

200cc Iron Lightning Head:

Intake:

.100 68.5
.200 134.32
.300 191.63
.400 235.96
.500 260.98
.600 268.51
.700 278.41


Exhaust:

.100 56.9
.200 100.99
.300 156.94
.400 176.85
.500 186.34
.600 190.13
.700 194.87


These look like pretty decent #'s to me...but I am still glad I got the 220's...

HTH somebody...

Greasemonkey

Thanks man. Thats kinda what I was looking for. The heads don't really seem to flow much better than any other heads at lower lifts. They just keep increasing up until .7 lift. Probably a good thing I went with the Darts.

88TPI406GTA

I am not sure what you mean by that...for my 220's I just bought, they appear to equal the flow of the AFR 210s for a lot less money.

If you meant that the 200's don't flow more...that is true, however, I believe that Competition Products is selling them cheaper than the Iron Eagles....so it depends on what you mean.

89ProchargedROC

out of box numbers are misleading because many different companies have different casting processes and they some come out rough and some come out smoother

my head porter never really likes to compare out of box numbers because of this reason....he always likes to see what heads flow mildly ported because then a lot of the casting roughness can be smoothed out

tpi_roc

I can certainly vouche for this just recently porting a set of sportsman II's

The rough casting was enough to make as much as 10-20cc differences in runners, one had a HUGE nickle sized chuck of cast right smack in the middle of the bowl....

88TPI406GTA

I see what you mean...but in this case the "rough" as cast Pro Action 220 flows at least the same as the mostly CNC ported AFRs. This data above shows the actual flow data which compares very closely to the advertised Pro Action data.

Besides, a head porter costs more money and that should be taken in consideration as well. If I am going to spend the $$$, I don't see why I should have to take it to someone to have them work on the head. Just get it right out of the box...that is what AFR does. Only they port them at the factory.

FAST LiFE

iTrader: (3)

My machinist friend had received 5 pairs of the cast iron and aluminum 220cc Pro Action heads at his shop. Those are 10 pairs in all. What I really liked about those heads was the consistency of the casting. Very uniform from those 10 pair of heads. We've already flowed a few out of the box and they've been flowing 3% of each other. This is from a non-CNC'ed head. If you've ever taken a look inside the AFR's intake ports, you will notice that some ports will have larger areas or unmilled areas of casting than others. There have been some AFR's in which there are large "dips" of unmilled portions of castings in the ports, yet they flow great.

tpi_roc

AFR CNC ports, thats what puts them above the rest

But yea that makes sense, if there's a bowl/dip in the casting the cnc is only going to pass right over it.

88TPI406GTA

Just got the heads and I can confirm that they look great...no excessive casting flash. It is really impressive. The chambers are a newer design like the Vortecs and they are an angle plug design too, if that matters.

It is really impressive to hold a 20 lb head (bare) in your hand that will support 550 HP. Makes me glad to be a car guy

tpi_roc

Haha

When I Picked up my first aluminum head I about ......

well i was damn happy

88TPI406GTA

Actually, my first aluminum head is/was an aluminum L98 head...I think that counts...but not in the same way, that's for sure

Post Content: These heads should support good horsepower and .400 lift and under. Any ideas as to what kind of HP/Torque #'s I should get with my 406? The redline will be about 5600 or so and the cam is actual 222 @.500 for the intake and with exhaust duration at 226 @ .500, running a SR, headers and a single 3" exhaust.

I know my carbed HP would be higher with a Victor Jr Intake and a good DP, but what is the SR limiting me too in terms of flow. I guess that is a tough question, but that is why I ask it here.

tpi_roc

Wow, why did you go with such a tiny cam on a 406?

88TPI406GTA

cause I swapped in the engine with the stock 1970 400 heads. And, at the time, I wasn't aware of the ability to tune my engine...Sigh. The real key is how big to go, given my redline. I think I would just like to swap the heads on with the SR and see what I get. The idea was to maximize torque with good HP, hence buying the Aluminum L98 heads...as I got a good deal on them mildly ported. And since it is a flat tappet cam, I figured it would be ok...again remembering my redline. I have cast pistons, reworked stock rods and a stock crank. I rebuilt the engine 3-4 years ago and it only has like 2000 miles on it.

So that is the deal. Still, ideas on power with the SR? BTW, I think these heads will be great on the 406 cause I need traction off the line anyway and if the under 2000 area suffers a bit, I can make up for that with tuning.

tpi_roc

Dont take this as criticism please..


I think that you'll find this power to be somewhat unusable. You're either going to have more torque than you'll ever find traction for (unless this is a pure race bred car) or you'll be able to kill low end torque with those heads, but then wont have the cam to make the HP you'll need for a good ET after the 2k-3k rpms... Granted its going to make power, more so than a stock 305/350.. It just seems a bit detuned to me for the money you're spending.

tpi_roc

btw

you might be doing about 400-450 hp same torque if you get it dialed in perfect

but its capable of more

88TPI406GTA

Oh I agree...the heads are definitely overkill for the rest of the package. My experience with my 406 when it was carbed indicates there is no lack of lowend torque, hence some traction issues. Basically, this head purchase was an "unplanned, yet necessary" expenditure I am sure the fiance wouldn't agree however so they are "Phantom Heads" for now...

My thought was to buy only one set of aftermarket heads and build the engine around them...that will take some time and money though. My goal started out being able to get high 12's on street tires and keep the overdrive with my 3.27's. I have the Pro-built trans and ACT 2600 converter to install soon, so these heads are out of sync with the rest of the package. I am also acquiring valvetrain components over the next few months and I am really only limited by the shortblock right now...and the 1 5/8" headers and the single 3" exhaust...etc.

This car really is going to be a street car. I think though that with the inches, the 220cc heads will be ok. Hell, the fact that I have an Edelbrock HI-Flo base that requires like a 1204 gasket and the heads want 1206, are giving some issues to work through...guess I am going to find the limits of how far I can port the base. Frankly, I had originally begun looking at AFR 190's and decided that for less money, I could have more head...especially for the future.

That is the dilemna. As has been shown with the flow on these heads though, the low lift flow is excellent...so will the higher port size really hinder me right now? Tough to tell.

tpi_roc

Hahaha

Nice

I know someone running a 383 on headmen 1 5/8th's that was both boosted and non boosted, he's made 10 second runs on them

Most of the white water boat racer guys run 220's on 406's, I think they're big, but the only thing you're going to do is kill low end torque which is just fine anyways since you have an abundance.


I know people run 1205's on that base, you might port the base to 1205, and "clean" the heads to 1206, there's a theory that this will prevent "reverb" and help reduse intake tract carbon and pulses coming up through the intake with a lopey cam.

Would on a 350, would take a SERRRRRRRRIOUS 383, but on a 406, I think you're semi-safe, keep in mind its not perfect, but it'll run.

88TPI406GTA

My research on the headers show that they are good up to 450HP for sure...Chevy Hi Performance used them on their dyno tests with their 406 a few years ago and was surprised how they didn't appear to be a restriction compared to the 1 3/4" headers. They used the budget Trick Flow heads too and an extreme energy 274 cam as well.

That is interesting to know about the intake gaskets...that is actually a great idea. I was trying to figure out what to do there as I figured there would be some pressure loss, potentially hindering flow at the transition between base and the head due to the port size difference.

It is also tough to figure out the perfect situation here...I wanted the heads for the future and only want to spend the $$$ once. Hence the compromise. Can't wait to get the thing together and tuned...sometime in the future....

tpi_roc

No matter how mismatched it could be, if you get rid of any dead spots, 450hp is 450hp and you'll have fun period


The loss in volocity is going to be there period with massive runners like 220's, might as well restrict backwards flow with the "step" that the two different sizes create.


Thats what i'd do at least, i wouldn't push the limits of the base, it certainly isn't necissarry.

89ProchargedROC

Well i'm not going to divulge to much of my combo on here but next year when i put on my heads that require a 1206 gasket i was going to still use the TPI Setup with an aftermarket ported base....but have sinced scrapped the idea in favor of a stealth ram

The way me and my porter were going to tackle the job was to epoxy the bottom on the intake runner until it met the bottom of the port on the lower TPI intake

now i dont know if this will work for your heads but it would work fine for mine because my heads have a nice "uphill hump" in them.....so it would actually be HELPING velocity by allowing the air to shoot straight down the port....i'm actually still considering doing this but i have a feeling that with the boost i want to run and with my heads....cam selection is going to be a PITA

tpi_roc

Oooh secret agent man

Reminds me of a bass fishing tournement, "Yea there's a bunch of lunkers over there!!" *leads other fishers in the direction of the kiddy pool*

People tend to want to be creative with their combos, they're not usually out to steal yours.

Raising the floor and roofs of heads have long been a great way/idea for power. Thats what the vortecs/LT1's/LT4's/LS1's are all after, as well as 18* heads and even pro-action.

I'd be concerned however about the different heat expnasion rates between metals and epoxy's possibly resulting in cracks and flakes falling into your cylinders at 6,000 rpms X_x

88TPI406GTA

Epoxy...interesting idea...but I do wonder about longevity. That is the deal with my street car...power and longevity...that is where true compromise is seen.

It almost makes me want to go carb for the simplicity factor and more power...almost....

Also, the key here is power for the RPM band. And I should have no problem making it from 2000-5600, which is the key. I like the idea of keeping 3.27 gears and making this work. I have seen another friend of mine who had a 406 that was built for torque and he combined that with 2.56 gears (not enough IMHO) but he had great pulling power.

Most people forget that staying with a numerically lower gear helps kill the wheelspin also...I take the same approach to gearing like I do with timing...just enough to do what you want and have a good combo. Besides, my 406 isn't my 2.0L in my 95 talon (TSI AWD turbo)...that little thing loves 3500-4000 cruise rPM That bothers me so I must be a V8 guy for sure

tpi_roc

RPM Ruins Peoples Motors.

89ProchargedROC

not expecting anyone too...its just i street race around my town and people i know read these boards and dont want to give them any info



with a marginal porter, yes i'd be worried too. But my porter is one of the best in the business and has been porting for over 20 years and of all the epoxy jobs he's done none of them have been problems. He has a certain way that he does it by cutting grooves into the intake ports

tpi_roc

That would be a wise begining step (cutting grooves)

Does he not tig weld?

Or is there just to much material needed.

88TPI406GTA

Hey 89Procharged,

What does your head guy think of the Pro Action heads out of the box...and don't say that he has no opinion...After all, comparing the Budget trick flow heads to an AFR 220 head means that there will be a difference out of the box in performance...as an example.

Has he seen a pair of the Pro Action heads yet?

TIA,

88TPI406GTA

As a followup to the casting quality of the Pro Action heads...I took my set of heads to John Haley Motorsports in St. Louis Park, MN. Erik (think is his name) looked them over and said that compared to the AFR's and Trick Flows, they look like a quality casting (on par with AFR). He also said that it looked to him like the bowls were hand blended and that the runners, as cast, looked pretty good. The only couple of recommendations were to polish the chambers and take the edge off of the area between the valves (appears to be a slight ridge.

He also said that if the flow #'s seem accurate, that the Pro Action heads would be a great competitor to the AFR's.

Just something for the "search" feature...

89ProchargedROC

not sure if he has used any yet.....but he does reccomend them. He told me from his experience in the business and what he goes through with people/motors/race shops that they really do put out great numbers with out of box heads

JucinGTA

Guys I found there website!!!
http://www.procylinderheads.com/

Also where is this place that is selling them in Wisconsin for 499????

89ProchargedROC

http://www.competitionproducts.com/


----thats $499 BARE, no valves etc

DFIance

89, I heard you had some heads for sale

JucinGTA

Just to let you know, I found out that they will becoming out with a smaller CC head, he said it was like 54 or somethin.:hail:

BenDoe91z28

wow, over 40 reply's and nobody has asked if there is an EGR port on the heads..... so here it goes. Is there an EGR port on the heads?

88TPI406GTA

i would guess not available with EGR...but with the 220's on my 406 I am not worried about emissions...I really am not too worried....I also live in MN with no inspections....WOOHOO!

Visit the Pro action website and send an email to their tech support...they will respond.

u r sofa king we tah did

ttt. have you put the heads on yet? if so how do you like em? im getting me some 200cc alums for my cammed 350

88TPI406GTA

They are in the shop getting checked and assembled right now...Hope to have them on in a month or so...

The quality looks good on my heads and my machine shop guy says that they are a good value for the $$$...

The 200cc heads should work fine on your application...How extreme is your cam?

u r sofa king we tah did

230/244 .544/.576 112lsa

88TPI406GTA

That is more than mine...


222I @ 500 and 226 E with 112 LSA and .494/.494 lift (1.6 rockers)...this is a flat tappet cam in my 406 and it should be great for my mostly street car.

I didn't want a really high HP cam because of my fairly new, mostly stock-type shortblock.