[FalconDaman]

I was searching for intake manifold comparisons earlier today and i ran across a web site selling 32 valve heads for a variety of engines one of which is a small block ford. They make some very impressive claims for hp/tq numbers.

This is the web site

http://www.araoengineering.com/Ford/frdsmb.htm

Im just wondering if anybody has had any experience with these heads. Or if anybody has read any reviews regarding these heads.
Any help is appreciated.

[woodz428]

They have been around several years and when they were first introduced got pretty good reviews. Because of the valve train configuration they would probably be an excellent street head with mild camming. I think their drawbacks are why not many are seen. They are expensive and if you want more power they can't compete with (price wise)the myriad of sbf heads ou there already. They don't fall into the legal aspects of many of the class regulations regarding replacement heads. In those areas where they might be legal, I would guess they don't deliver as well as some of the other less costly heads. Finally there is little support for the heads (aftermarket parts like rockers,etc.) so you're choices of components is limited. They do make nice eye candy though .

[FalconDaman]

Thanks for the info. I hadnt thought about the rocker problem. But im not paying 5 grand for some eye candy. Especialy when i could get so many other things for that 5k.

[Huskinhano]

I agree. I've know about them for a long time. Nce heads but IMO, by the time you kneed all those valves and port area, I think you'd have limitations with all the valve train mass. I believe in the KISS formular.

[Max Keith]

In my opinion, the best head for the buck for street use are the Twisted Wedge heads out of the box. When you go with the ones that have been tweaked at the plant, they are hard to beat for any kind of super hot street engines, Especially in light that you dont have to cut valve releifs in the pistons unless you go well over a half inch lift, with flat top pistons. Having seen flow charts on these heads, they flow better than the higher dollar stuff from Edlebrock etc.

[Carbed95GT]

MM&FF is supposed to do testing on them for the "Ultimate Cylinder Head Guide" in the next issue or two. Too expensive for me, although they sure do look sexy.