141414 ENGINEBUILDERENGINEBUILDERENGINEBUILDERmag.commag.commag.com | AUGUST 2020 | AUGUST 2020 | AUGUST 2020
SELECTING
TIPS FORCYLINDER HEADS
BRENDAN BAKER | TECHNICAL EDITOR
The top end of the engine moves air and fuel to the combustion chamber to make as much power as possible in
performance applications. Today’s aftermarket cylinder heads offer engine builders many options, but choosing the right
combination is more than just making the biggest flow numbers.Many drag racers and engine builders like to
match their intake to a particular cylinder head
for a combination e ect intended for a speci c
range of performance. If your customer runs
at the drag strip a few times a year, but mostly
drives to the local hangout for car club nights,
you may want to choose something that will
behave more civilized on the street and still
have some performance to go from stoplight to
stoplight. Today’s cylinder heads blur the lines
between street and racing more than ever, so
engine builders must get into the customer’s
needs and wants before coming up with the
right set.
A good set of cylinder heads can generally
add easy bolt-on power. Depending on the
application, according to Tim Torrecarion of
Air Flow Research, performance can vary quite
a bit. He says it depends on what engine you’re
working with, such as late-model engines versus
the Gen I small-block Chevy or even the Ford
Windsor motor.
How do you determine the proper cylinder
head for your application, whether for street
performance, racing, o -road or other? When
selecting the appropriate cylinder head/runner
volume, Torrecarion says there are a few basics
that they focus on, including engine size, rpmSomething to consider in boosted applications is to use Inconel exhaust valves
and heavy-du intake valves for the high cylinder pressure.
14-18 eb.aug20 Cylinder Heads.indd 14 8/7/20 9:44 AM
Naresh Jariwala