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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

gt-40p worth the work?

  • Thread starter Thread starter fastfords4
  • Start date Start date Feb 13, 2008
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fastfords4

New Member
Jul 6, 2007
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Feb 13, 2008
#1
  • Feb 13, 2008
  • #1
So far i have a 1989 gt vert with bbk cai, bbk shorty headers, o/r x to flows (no cats), u/d pullies, hurst short throw, full length SFC's, a/c and smog delete and a strut tower brace. I am now looking for a cheap H/C/I setup. I found a set of gt-40p heads (92,000 miles on them) for $200 locally....a cobra upper and lower for $250 and either want to buy a E-303 or B-303 cam. A FEW questions now....as the title says, if i do all of the work involving a H/C/I swap i want to be happy with the result, i know gt-40p heads aren't aftermarket but still hear good things about them, would it be worth while to go ahead and buy/install them or should i keep saving for afr's,patriot's, eddy's, or tfs's? NEXT question is which cam? im leaning toward the B but really have no clue....as far as goals im just looking to have a nice street cruiser/rare test n tune at the track. No clue what this would put out but 300+ would be really nice! Next would be RR? size? 1.6? 1.7? brand? Once again no clue please teach me! Anything else anyone thinks i should know? I want to learn!:SNSign: thanks in advance!
 

leroy93lx

Member
Jun 24, 2007
29
2
9
Indiana
Feb 13, 2008
#2
  • Feb 13, 2008
  • #2
Gt40p are good heads but you will have to buy the special headers for them. Also at 94,000 miles you should do a spring upgrade. You can buy new gt40p heads from Tristate Cylinder heads that have upgraded springs , bigger valves and a valve job for $550-600. As for the cam i would rather have a Trick Flow stage 1 over either of the FMS cams. Honestly by the time you get the headers and springs you need for the used P heads your damn near to the price of a set of Aluminum Patriot heads that your headers will work fine on. Just something to think about.
 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,133
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108
Chicagoland
Feb 14, 2008
#3
  • Feb 14, 2008
  • #3
The TFS stage 1 is a pretty decent off the shelf cam. It should work well with the GT40P heads also, being a split duration/lift cam. Even though the P heads flow better stock for stock than the standard iron GT40, the exhaust port is their biggest issue. They can definitely benefit from a cam that's got more duration and lift on the exhaust side (.499/.510 lift I/E and 275°/279° duration I/E on the TFS1). You may or may not need the GT40P specific headers, but search around before you commit to anything. I know on a 94-95, you can get away with a regular set of BBK shorties, but I'm not sure with the Fox cars.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,016
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194
NJ
Feb 14, 2008
#4
  • Feb 14, 2008
  • #4
$200 is a good deal on them.
With that said, keep saving for aluminum heads.
300rwhp without getting into headwork is going to be very unlikely with p's.

I agree with leroy. Rebuilding 100,000 mile heads coupled with the headers is going to put you in aluminum territory.
 

PUNISHER RACING

Active Member
Aug 27, 2007
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FORD CITY, PA.
Feb 14, 2008
#5
  • Feb 14, 2008
  • #5
where you live if you don't want em I 'll get em!
 

NKau

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Dec 15, 2001
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Jefferson, WI
Feb 14, 2008
#6
  • Feb 14, 2008
  • #6
Is the car an auto or a 5-speed? Your plan is solid, but I may consider leaving the stock cam, especially if you have an AOD tranny. Actually, just because of the wieght of a 'vert, I may leave the stock cam in anyway. The heads are sort of up to you. If you can find a deal on some used 'P' headers or BBK's which supposedly work, I'd say go for the GT40P's. A cobra, edelbrock, tf street heat, or explorer intake will work great. You will definitely make a little more power with any of the aluminum head offerings that are out there, but that's kind of up to you. I probably wouldn't touch the cam though either way.
 

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
Dallas, TX
Feb 14, 2008
#7
  • Feb 14, 2008
  • #7
If I could do it again I'da saved up for some aluminums, p's are a little faster than stock, and it was a great experience, but not worth it for iron heads.
 

foxmustangman

Member
Jun 20, 2007
196
1
16
Idaho
Feb 14, 2008
#8
  • Feb 14, 2008
  • #8
What's the difference between the GT-40 and the GT-40p?
 

NKau

Founding Member
Dec 15, 2001
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37
Jefferson, WI
Feb 15, 2008
#9
  • Feb 15, 2008
  • #9
foxmustangman said:
What's the difference between the GT-40 and the GT-40p?
Click to expand...

GT-40's will accept any factory 5.0 header and not have the spark clearance issues the P's do.

The P's are a better performing head.
 

foxmustangman

Member
Jun 20, 2007
196
1
16
Idaho
Feb 15, 2008
#10
  • Feb 15, 2008
  • #10
Got it. Thanks.
 

88stangmangt

Active Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,332
1
48
Stafford,VA
Mar 23, 2008
#11
  • Mar 23, 2008
  • #11
I have a nice set of Real GT-40 heads forsale....
 

RYC CUKR

Founding Member
May 19, 2002
1,437
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38
Orlando
Mar 23, 2008
#12
  • Mar 23, 2008
  • #12
I have a set of box stock Ps and a TFS1 cam in my 93 AOD vert. You can see the mods and times in my sig. Keep in mind that at a MINIMUM you should change the valve springs over. The stock springs do not have a dampner and aren't designed for the higher lift of even a stock HO cam.

That said I am pretty happy with them since the car wasn't designed to be a high HP car just a nice street car.

Also all my times are with the stock converter. With a higher stall converter or a 5 speed the times would be lower.
 

93GTosu

Member
May 5, 2005
183
0
19
Mar 23, 2008
#13
  • Mar 23, 2008
  • #13
I've got P heads too and I wouldn't expect anything "AMAZING" out of them if I were you.

300 is going to be a heck of a lot easier if you can save up for aluminum heads. (not that it can't be done with stock stuff)

For me, I was anxious to get into some heads. I came across a whole explorer motor for 150 and just went with it. Looking back, saving another couple hundred wouldn't have been that hard. But I couldn't justify the $1000 price tag at that moment. (I probably still couldn't)

Do i regret putting them on? Heck no, i'd probably do it again! its fun to have a project you can build up and see what it'll do.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
6,945
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Northern KY
Mar 23, 2008
#14
  • Mar 23, 2008
  • #14
Save up and buy some used Twisted Wedge aluminums. You really can't put a better set of heads on a stock short block.
 

QDRHRSE

New Member
Dec 31, 2002
1,590
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0
Palmdale, CA
Mar 23, 2008
#15
  • Mar 23, 2008
  • #15
You can get GT40Y heads pretty cheap new....like $700. I would save some money and wait. 94,000 mile heads will likely need to be freshened up and at a minimum you'll need valve springs and special headers. I think that only the relative cost is low. Down the road it will cost you more.
 

grey5.0beast

Cookies should never be DUNKED!!!
Aug 3, 2004
0
1
0
atl ga
Mar 24, 2008
#16
  • Mar 24, 2008
  • #16
I ALMOST bought some iron heads for 200+ a gun on a trade. I am SO happy the other guy backed out, I ended up buying Patriot Heads the next week for a few hundred more and ended up with a much better set of heads!
 

SteedaGT9150

Advanced Member
Nov 10, 2004
1,351
59
68
Maryland
Mar 24, 2008
#17
  • Mar 24, 2008
  • #17
ot - grey whens your car gonna be done?
 
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