I run AFR or the Pro 1s in my serious stuff and for my customers when applicable. We sell the Chinese heads for lesser apps, to peeps with less cash. Usually when the customer's BBChevy needs to be completely redone is a popular choice. To bake, blast, mag, install bronze race guides, surface, do a 5 angle valve job, cut the seats for larger valves, unshroud the chambers, cut the spring seats for larger springs, dissemble & and reassemble, and buy: valves, springs, retainers, locks, and stem seals, it is much more cost effective to buy the Chinese castings, and we haven't even mentioned porting either. I have a Super Flow flow bench and I know what everything flows.
What many people don't understand is that better flow at a higher lift than the cam that's in the engine is not contributing to the HP output. I.E. if the better head flows more at .750 lift and the cam is say .720 lift (then subtract the lash too, to get .695 lift) the flow at .750 lift is irrelevant. MOST lake boaters with jets usually run something like the Comp Cams 246@ .050 and .623 lift solid roller in a 496 BBC or BBF, its a pretty popular entry level deal with pocket ported stock heads or Pro-Comp oval port heads. The Pro Comps out of the box are comparable in price or cheaper than ported stock BBC heads, out flow them, and are 50 lbs. lighter. Cost effective!
In my 572", 14-71 blown, intercooled 25 Daytona, I run ported Big Brodies, my 598" 22 Daytona runs ported Dart 360s. Not all of my customers can afford that.
Wife and I drive a pair of Harleys, a GMC truck and a Cadillac, I buy American when practical, I also realize that many American companies import their entire inventory. The "house brand" of many parts purveyors is Chinese. That includes intake manifolds, rocker covers, roller rockers, oil pans, timing covers, air cleaners, and AN braided hose and fittings among others. TIMINATOR
