LT1 Cylinder Head Comparison - LT1 Head Shootout!

Total Engine Airflow / Trick Flow 200cc CNC LT1
These TEA-ported, TFS LT1 heads performed extremely well in our testing and offer a great value for anyone looking to make big power. Up top, these heads made 511.5 horsepower, which was the second highest out of the group. Built on a Trick Flow casting, TEA is responsible for the CNC work, which is truly second to none. Each head comes complete with 2.020- and 1.600-inch intake and exhaust valves and a set of 0.650-inch lift dual valvesprings. At a retail price of $1,799.00 it is almost impossible to choose between these and the AFR heads for all-out performance. Due to time constraints, we could not test the newest 21-degree head from TEA/TFS, but we have no doubt it would have made a ton of power.

The AFR 195cc CNC Street heads...        read full caption The AFR 195cc CNC Street heads made tons of power. Leading the others with 516.3 hp and 478.0 lb-ft of torque, these heads did an excellent job not only at peak--but all across the rpm range as well. At 0.550-inch lift, these heads are said to flow 280 cfm, while the Competition version measures 300 cfm at 0.600-inch lift. Both are quite impressive.	The Dart PRO1 200cc heads...        read full caption The Dart PRO1 200cc heads did an admirable job considering they are the only "as cast" head in the test. With a quality CNC job, these would make big power. Even still, 483.5 hp and 464.5 lb-ft of torque is quite a stout showing. Truly, their strength was in the torque department--from 3,800 all the way up to 5,600 rpm these heads held a nice, flat torque plateau at 440+ lb-ft.	A clear underdog in this test,...        read full caption A clear underdog in this test, the Golen 185cc CNC heads did an amazing job. Making 493.0 hp and 476.5 lb-ft of torque, these are a quality head in a stock casting with a great price attached. Check out the low rpm torque--with such small ports you can bet these would be the most impressive of the bunch at off-idle starts stoplight-to-stoplight.
Edelbrock has created an excellent,...        read full caption Edelbrock has created an excellent, low-cost package for someone looking to make safe horsepower and have good, reliable components. Although it made the least power of the group with 472.9 hp and 457.6 lb-ft of torque, this is a package to seriously consider. The raised-runner LT4 design had perhaps the most high-rpm potential, and we'd love to see what these babies could do with a full CNC program or hand-porting.	Last but certainly not least,...        read full caption Last but certainly not least, the TEA/TrickFlow 200cc CNC heads gave an impressive show. Making 511.5 hp and 476.6 lb-ft of torque, these heads demonstrate what a great CNC job can do to an already excellent head. Like the AFRs, the Trick Flows had increased rpm at peak power, a feat not easily accomplished without a change in intake or cam. It's not surprising these heads are said to flow 294/257 cfm at 0.600-inch lift.