Newbie that needs 408 buildup input

Firstly, Hello to all.

I have not gotten a 5.0 Mustang yet, but have looked at and driven a few in recent weeks. I hope to have a 5.0 by the end of the year.

But....what I really need is everyone's input on my current project.

I have a 90' Bronco with a 92' front clip, small lift, Eagle/Alcoa copies, 33x12.50 (measure 34"s) Interco Truxus MT's, Cervini Ram Air Glass hood.

So anyway I have the 5.8/E4OD drivetrain combo. My 351 lunched a piston recently and bent a rod. I was hoping the engine was going to last another year or more, but it didn't. So as a result I am a little behind on my engine knowledge with the Fords.

What I need is input on the engine rebuild, in particular the heads and cam.

My current buildup plan is:

Coast High Perf./Probe 408 stroker kit with the cast crank, Probe forged pistons, and their 5140 CNC'd beam rods.

Full rotateing assembly balanced.

ARP bolts.

I am very interested in the Pro Topline iron heads.

I want as much power as can be had with the usual compromise of not making it to racy. This Bronco needs to be daily transportation worthy and I use the truck on trips to the northern part of AZ which intails alot of steep uphill highway driving with the truck loaded down with mountain bikes, guns, dogs and the usual camping stuff. When I'm up in the pines I do alot of slow, low rpm trails and then also fast fireroad type blazing. In addition this engine unfortunately needs to pass emissions testing every two years.

Ok, I am thinking that with the 408 I should go with the Pro Topline 215cc 64cc chamber heads, again iron as I'm on a tight budget. My concern is that although these heads have flow numbers that could support some serious HP. I'm concerned about the ports being to big for good low speed/low RPM driving.

Cam choice, I am thinking of something around 220-230 @ .050 with anywhere from .520" to .560" lift on a 112 lobe sep.

I will be getting the Ford Lightning Mass Air conversion kit which includes 30# injectors and a 70mm Meter.

For the intake I will be sticking with a truck style intake which means I'm limited to the Edelbrock Performer EFI truck piece. Have not even thought about throttle body size yet.

I may be limited to 1 5/8" shorty headers as so far thats the biggest I've found for the emissions legal truck application. Although I've been told Bassani may make a 1 3/4" for my app. I'll try to look into that today.

Ok, my hope is that going to the 408 will give such an increase in torque that I can get away with a nice sounding cam, maybe even something that would still pull to 6000 for when I'm out playing with my prerunner buddies in the desert. Likewise hoping the big stroke might allow me to pick heads that can flow a bit more with out killing the low end throttle response and torque and the ability to pass emissions (man I hate the emissions part, but thats reality).

Years ago one of the several muscle cars I've owned was a 71' 340 4spd Duster that everyone thought was really tough for a daily driver. It was pushing around 430 HP, running ported heads, a 292/248@.050 508" cam, and 430 gears. Man I loved the idle of that thing, but it only pulled about 8 inches of vacum at idle and was a serious pain to get through emissions testing. Loved letting the clutch go at 4500 rpm and almost yanking the front left tire as I'd frequently smoke heavy big block cars.

Sorry to ramble!.

So what do you guys think, what do you think I can get away with here?

Any and all input is greatly appreaciated.

Thanks in advance.

Anyone!

Anyone know the rod to stroke ratio of a 408 with the 4" stroke and 6.200" rods????

Pro Topline told me today that in my case do to the heavy vehicle weight and my need to pass emissions testing, and the Truck style intake limitations, that I would probably be better off with the 200cc heads.

Still thinking about it though.

Hope to drop off the block and stuff tomorrow at AMP.

After that I hope to possibly go get a look at the Pro Topline heads in person and may go ahead and pic up a pair if I can just decide which ones.

I actually have spoken to CHP, and Topline. Just looking for more than one source of input. That way I know its not just an opinion of a sales person trying to sell me something or telling me what I want to hear. Its surprising how easy it can be to get a shop to say, ya.....that should work......I don't see why not. When you maybe already know better.

Thanks for at least giving your opinion though.

Actually it was do to my conversation with Topline that has made me decide I would probably be wiser to stick with the 200cc heads. But they didn't instantly say.....Oh heavy truck and emissions testing thats exactly what you should run. Really it was like we both agreed their was good reason for concern for using the 215's.

I like to speak to the people selling the stuff and more importantly the people using and living with it.

Thanks again, and I look forward to more input.