• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Engine Heads Up!

  • Thread starter Thread starter joetrainer31
  • Start date Start date May 4, 2014

joetrainer31

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2013
869
364
114
SC
May 4, 2014
#1
  • May 4, 2014
  • #1
Ok brainiacs, I could use some help planning out my future mods. I'm debating between two different heads for my car. I will be keeping the stock GT cam w/cobra 1.7 RRs and retarding it 4 degrees regardless of head selection. Below I'll tell you what I have on the car. Given my mods and cam selection would you all please drop some knowledge on me as to which head and why?

- 95 GT vert (54lbs weight already removed, most up front)
- 5 spd
- stock block
- SVO GT40 intake (will have lower ported for new heads)
- 65mm FMS TB
- FMS shorty headers
- Flow Master cat-back
- factory h-pipe (CA smog)
- 70mm factory MAF
- 373 rear gears
- will upgrade to 24lbs injector
- will upgrade to larger fuel pump
- will have tune for new set up.

After tossing my iron GT 40s, my 2 choices are TFS TW or AFR 165s. Which head set and why given my combo and stock cam w/1.7RRs?
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,288
1,631
214
Acworth, GA
May 5, 2014
#2
  • May 5, 2014
  • #2
Can you run TW heads with pedastal rockers?

Kurt
 

joetrainer31

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2013
869
364
114
SC
May 5, 2014
#3
  • May 5, 2014
  • #3
revhead347 said:
Can you run TW heads with pedastal rockers?

Kurt
Click to expand...
I'm not sure. I'll have to look that up.
 

joetrainer31

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2013
869
364
114
SC
May 6, 2014
#4
  • May 6, 2014
  • #4
revhead347 said:
Can you run TW heads with pedastal rockers?

Kurt
Click to expand...
Kurt, it looks like the TW do [not] come in pedestal mount, only stud mount. Does this help you w/your conclusion?
 

VibrantRedGT

"STANGNET'S PENGUIN SMACKER"
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
14,679
424
154
Boca Raton, Florida
May 7, 2014
#5
  • May 7, 2014
  • #5
I've done the 4 degrees retard on the cam. You would think 4 degrees is nothing boy was I wrong. The powerband was horrible. It wanted to make power from 4500-6800 rpm and I wasn't comfortable with that. I also wasn't comfortable with revving the hell out of it in regular driving conditions. It was the only want to get it moving. After a few weeks I installed the cam straight up and was so happy afterwards.
 

joetrainer31

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2013
869
364
114
SC
May 7, 2014
#6
  • May 7, 2014
  • #6
VibrantRedGT said:
I've done the 4 degrees retard on the cam. You would think 4 degrees is nothing boy was I wrong. The powerband was horrible. It wanted to make power from 4500-6800 rpm and I wasn't comfortable with that. I also wasn't comfortable with revving the hell out of it in regular driving conditions. It was the only want to get it moving. After a few weeks I installed the cam straight up and was so happy afterwards.
Click to expand...
Thanks, man. That's good to know. What do you think about a 2 degree retard to take a little better advantage of the head's breathing capacity? This will be a daily driver/weekend cruiser.
 

VibrantRedGT

"STANGNET'S PENGUIN SMACKER"
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
14,679
424
154
Boca Raton, Florida
May 16, 2014
#7
  • May 16, 2014
  • #7
Mine was just a show car really and maybe 500 miles per year. I don't know what cam you're going with but I've been down this road and I don't recommend it. Nothing like doing this twice in a few weeks time, that's how disappointed I was. Not with the power it made, just were the power was made. I broke a Steeda high rev valve spring at 6300 RPM, hi-rev my arse.
 

joetrainer31

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2013
869
364
114
SC
May 16, 2014
#8
  • May 16, 2014
  • #8
VibrantRedGT said:
Mine was just a show car really and maybe 500 miles per year. I don't know what cam you're going with but I've been down this road and I don't recommend it. Nothing like doing this twice in a few weeks time, that's how disappointed I was. Not with the power it made, just were the power was made. I broke a Steeda high rev valve spring at 6300 RPM, hi-rev my arse.
Click to expand...
Okay, this is good info. I'm going to ask you to clarify not because I'm looking for someone to eventually agree w/me, but because I want to learn/understand what you are saying.

1) So, even at a 2 degree retard on the stock cam you say "no?"
2) If I'm looking for a boost in performance w/o the added expense what about re-installing the stock cam straight up?
3) Correct me if I'm wrong: Installing a set of 165s instead of my GT40 irons, even w/the stock cam, will give a noticeable increase in power.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
521
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
9
Forced Induction Prepping for supercharger on non-stock build
  • 91fox427
  • Nov 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
366
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 5, 2026
Qtrhrse23
Q
R
New heads
  • Robman8028
  • Jul 30, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
634
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 31, 2025
gkomo
Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
591
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
H
Forced Induction On3 Turbo Kit- Parts list NEEDED - 302 Stock Motor
  • Hirothecool1
  • Feb 27, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
854
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 7, 2026
slow84lx
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?