Which heads????!!!!!!

ridelikehell · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 05:03 PM

Hey all,

I'm at the point where I need to decide which heads to go with. My options are:

1. Leave the stock 302 heads the way they are.

2. Keep the stock heads, but port them.

3. Buy aftermarket heads.

My questions are,

How much of a horsepower difference am I looking at in comparison to options 1 and 3.

What is the best head to buy in terms of aftermarket heads? My speed shop guy recommended Edelbrock, and my parts guy recommended GT-40 heads.

Any help would be great!

Thanks,
--Dave.

Tony Radford · #2 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 06:02 PM

I suggest you check out the AFR heads. From what I've read in the various head comparison tests, the AFRs beat out the GT40s and Edelbrocks. Are you doing anything besides a head upgrade?

Curt C. · #3 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 08:25 PM

Tony has a good point. We need more info. Are you going to run a hot cam, big intake, etc... or will the motor remain basically stock. Depending on the combo, the answer will be different. How fast do you want to go??

ridelikehell · #4 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 08:43 PM

I don't know much about the cam...the engine rebuilder just told me he'd throw one in for 150...i'm putting in a ford racing "performer 289/302" intake with either a 600 or a 650 holley carb...

thanks for the help so far!

Dwight · #5 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 08:46 PM

MUSTANGS & FAST FORDS DID A DYNO TEST ON 13 STREET -STYLE CYLINDER HEADS IN THE AUG & SEPT ISSUES.

LIKE EVERYONE SAID YOU NEED TO PICK THE HEADS, INTAKE, CARB, HEADERS, CAM, THAT MATCH OR WORK TOGETHER FOR THE MAX PERFORMANCE. I CHOICE HOLLEY BECAUSE AT THE TIME THEY WHERE THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD TELL ME WHAT PARTS I NEED TO WORK WITH THEIR SYSTEM. BUT NOW EDELBROCK OFFER A SYSTEM THAT WILL DO THE SAME.
DO YOU WANT TORQUE MOTOR AT LOW RPMs? OR A HIGH WINDING MOTOR? REAR END GEARS, TRANNIES AND TIRES ALSO COME INTO THE PICTURE.

DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY.

NeedAntiVenom · #6 (**permalink**) 09-26-2003, 05:41 AM

Dave,

The GT40X, World Products Windor Jr./Sr., Edelbrock, AFS heads are all good products. Combined with a good cam e.g. B303 or similar you can get 300-340 HP with a nice street powerband. Don't think you'll gain much by going over 600 CFM with the mods you talking about - and may lose a little on the bottom.

I agree with Dwight too - figure out what you want in power and drivability then work out the parts to make it happen.

Hope this helps,

Jim

Dwight · #7 (**permalink**) 09-26-2003, 10:10 PM

GO TO BUDDY RAULS LINK

http://www.wighat.com/fcr3/camtruth.htm

LOTS OF GOOD INFORMATION.

347 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-28-2003, 03:33 AM

almost all aftermarket heads are good, which one's you use depends on what else you use in your complete drive line set up(diff,gbox,comp ratio etc)

Bart Carter · #9 (**permalink**) 09-28-2003, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ridelikehell I'm at the point where I need to decide which heads to go with. My options are:

1. Leave the stock 302 heads the way they are.
2. Keep the stock heads, but port them.
3. Buy aftermarket heads.

In general if you modify the stock heads and compare them to off the shelf aluminum heads, you will find:

1. A well chosen AL head will make a lot more HP. Especially if you match a cam.
2. The price difference is not all that much.
3. The AL heads will make your car 50 lbs. lighter. That is 50 lbs. less to overcome for acceleration, braking and cornering.

Pay the extra few hundred for the AL heads.