Chevy Trailblazer SS Forum banner

Questions concerning TFS 225s

3.4K views 21 replies 11 participants last post by  TNSS  
#1 · (Edited)
Hey all I have some questions about these heads for anyone who has experience with them. Im looking to use these heads with a stock rocker but noticed that they come with bronze guides. So I guess my question is are you guys just using an aftermarket rocker or having the guides swapped out? I also noticed the combustion chamber is a bit bigger, so would i also need to mill these to bring compression back up a bit? My other concern is are these cnc heads really worth the extra money over the cast 220s? The flow numbers dont seem to be too far off from each other
 
#2 ·
I'm using Comp roller rockers and very happy with them.

I was told stock rockers will not work but didn't look too much into it to see if there was a way to modify things to make them work. If you haven't done the trunion upgrade yet, IMO its just worth it to change over to a nice roller rocker.
 
#3 ·
I do actually have the trunion upgrade and am kinda shying away from doing an aftermarket rocker at this time. Maybe I should just hold out for a set of AFR 230s....they seem to edge out the tfs a bit.
 
#4 ·
You could have the guides swapped or run aftermarket rockers. I have yellaterra ultralites on mine. Not long after i got my truck running 1 rocker arm broke around the pushrod cup area.

I've read way too many horror stories about after market rockers to feel 100% comfortable with them on my truck to be honest.
 
#7 ·
You could have the guides swapped or run aftermarket rockers. I have yellaterra ultralites on mine. Not long after i got my truck running 1 rocker arm broke around the pushrod cup area.

I've read way too many horror stories about after market rockers to feel 100% comfortable with them on my truck to be honest.
Your thread is exactly the reason I dont want to go with aftermarket rockers. Simply put stock rockers work well
 
#5 ·
Ive had Harland Sharpes on my TA back in the day and they caused valve float at high RPMs. Heard mixed reviews about the YTs. RPM suggested the Comp to me and I haven't had any issues.

I would also look into the AFR 230s or you could always sell your trunion upgraded rockers if you found a deal on a set of TF 225s.
 
#6 ·
Yeah my builder/tuner wanted to run the stock rockers on the dyno to see if we could make more power up top over the yella terras but i never got around to trying it.
 
#9 ·
Yeah stock rockers with the trunion upgrade is the way to go. See if TEA will swap some powdered metal guides in for you.
 
#11 ·
I think for what im doing afr 230s may be the way to go. I am a bit confused though as every place i look for the afrs says they come with bronze guides....i thought bronze guides were a no no for stock rockers?
 
#19 · (Edited)
I too have broken a Yella Terra Rocker Arm. Aftermarket rockers scare me unless they are a set of Jesels. So I switched to stock rockers with the trunion upgrade and haven't looked back. This is on a set of TFS cylinder heads too, but with the better valve guides.
 
#20 ·
For the same price you can have AI or FRH port TFS as cast 220 heads to their 230cc runner design and put in PM valve guides. They flow a ton of air.
 
#22 ·
I'm running the as cast 220 heads with powdered metal guides, stock rocker arms and trunion upgrade. I think my times speak for how good of a head it is. Made 512 Hp and ran a 7.104 @ 97 mph in the 1/8 straight off the street no cool down time. Of coarse it don't hurt that brian tooley put some extra love into these little as cast heads lol