Evander Espolong

Walking into the AFR Facility immediately reveals why this brand dominates aftermarket airflow dynamics. For decades, Air Flow Research has engineered high-performance cylinder heads that maximize horsepower for engine builders across the country. Peak intake velocities require exact engineering, and this company consistently delivers top-tier castings. Now, we got the chance to visit their facility to see firsthand how they make some of their products. Rows of raw castings greeted us right away.

Behind the wheel of a heavy, old car, drivers usually settle for a sluggish factory automatic transmission that saps the fun out of cruising. To answer the loud demand from full-size fans, American Powertrain now offers proper five- and six-speed transmissions for General Motors’ 1977-1990 B-bodies. The year 1977 was the first year for the General’s downsized big cars and they were a massive success. They combined great styling and cavernous interiors without the excess weight.

Bolting a set of Godzilla LME-ported heads onto a Ford 7.3-liter pushrod block cures airflow restrictions presented by the factory castings. Big power demands serious breathing capacity, yet stock truck cylinder heads often choke high-RPM performance street builds. Late Model Engines spent countless shop hours developing a dedicated CNC program that wakes up modern pushrod Ford power output.