Do "202" heads make more power?

Yes and no. "202" refers to the intake valve diameter of 2.02". Fords and Chevys usually don't have an intake problem... they usually have an exhaust problem. If you've got a set of stock cast iron heads and had them fitted with 2.02" valves and think you're going to get more horsepower, you're just kidding yourself unless you did some more machine work and "un-shrouded", or relieved the valve area inside the combustion chamber, PLUS added larger exhaust valves. You can actually lose flow by installing valves that are too big for the combustion chamber unless they are un-shrouded. It's pretty simple, what goes in, MUST come out! On hot street Chevy engines, you'd be better off leaving the 1.94" intake valves alone and opting for a set of 1.60" or 1.65" exhaust valves. Don't believe me? Look at 99.9% o all dual profile cams. Almost all of them have more lift and duration on the exhaust side than they do on the intake side. You wonder why?

For more information on unshrouding valves check out our tech tip titled "Chevy valves in Ford heads" or just click HERE and it'll take you there.