PI Head replacement dilema

captinmo · May 4, 2006

I have a dilema. I have a bone stock 97 GT. I also have a set of PI heads I got cheap. They have vavle damage. The damage is worse than I thought accoridng to my engine builder. It looks the the timing chain/belt went and all the valves have at least some damage. Also the head will require some light decking. I am not mechanic, but my brother is very knowledgable, especially regarding Mustangs and I have been using his assistance.

I am trying to decide if I should rebuild these heads for about $540, have them ported and polished (extra charge of ?? dollars) and throw on the VT stage 1 cams I just bought or go another route. Your thoughts?
Miles

bdcardinal · May 4, 2006

get heads that do not require so much work. its better to buy new parts that require no extra work than to buy used parts that require work. its cheaper in the long run.

tomustang · May 4, 2006

bdcardinal said:
get heads that do not require so much work. its better to buy new parts that require no extra work than to buy used parts that require work. its cheaper in the long run.

lotta 'ifs' with used/rebuilt parts with damage

having the porting work done won't do much as it is anyway, you would benefit from the cams, and since you be replacing everything you might aswell upgrade to the springs and run a stage 2

captinmo · May 6, 2006

tomustang said:
having the porting work done won't do much as it is anyway, you would benefit from the cams, and since you be replacing everything you might aswell upgrade to the springs and run a stage 2

I am not clear what you mean when you say "porting won't do much as it is" Is that due to my fairly stock set up or are you saying the damaged heads I have are not worth porting and another used, good condition set, would be woth while porting?

I am not sure I want the stage 2 becuase I will have to replace the springs. This is extra cash! If I don't plan to go to forced air how much would I benefit from the stage 2 cams? Is it worh the extra money considering I am just running a stock block and just plan a few bolt ons (intake plenum, cai, MAF, etc.)? I could down the road go to forced air if my budget ever allows me to. I know then that the stage 2 would definitely benefit me but if I have alredy spent money on the stage 1 I assume these hads will still work fine? Or do I HAVE to upgrade the springs in order to avoid valve float?
Miles

Mustang5L5 · May 6, 2006

I'd buy another set of heads. I've seen some PI heads offered for sale for dirt cheap in the classifieds.

captinmo · May 6, 2006

Stage 1 vs. Stage 2

I am still not clear on the vt stage 1 vs stage 2. At this point I am thinking that I am just going to buy a new set of heads from somewhere like Jegs. I have checked the classifieds and Ebay and it looks like I am going to spend $600+ for a set of used heads. I can get a new set from Jegs for around $700 and then I do not have to worry about damadge.

When I do this, if I stay NA am I better off going with stage 1s or stage 2s? I don't plan to race and will only have bolt on's added?
Miles

MyEarsHurt · May 6, 2006

If there is that much damage, I would say forget it. You can get a new set for like 700 from steeda or jegs. It would be a lot less hassle and no doubt on whether or not its going to be reliable.

captinmo · May 6, 2006

Still wondering

Still wondering if anyone can answer my question above about stage 1 vs stage 2? I don't want to spend the extra money on springs if the stage 1 will perform better than that stage 2 on a NA stock engine with intake bolt ons. Also if stage 2 is the way to go and I am already going to need to buy new heads would it be better to buy bare heads then buy the springs I needs so that I don't just end of having to "part out" the stock springs. Would this route be more expensive? If not does anyone know where I could find new bare heads for the cheapest price?
Miles

captinmo · May 6, 2006

Any Ideas?

tomustang · May 7, 2006

captinmo said:
I am not clear what you mean when you say "porting won't do much as it is" Is that due to my fairly stock set up or are you saying the damaged heads I have are not worth porting and another used, good condition set, would be woth while porting?

I am not sure I want the stage 2 becuase I will have to replace the springs. This is extra cash! If I don't plan to go to forced air how much would I benefit from the stage 2 cams? Is it worh the extra money considering I am just running a stock block and just plan a few bolt ons (intake plenum, cai, MAF, etc.)? I could down the road go to forced air if my budget ever allows me to. I know then that the stage 2 would definitely benefit me but if I have alredy spent money on the stage 1 I assume these hads will still work fine? Or do I HAVE to upgrade the springs in order to avoid valve float?
Miles

Porting doesnt do much on 4.6's unless you're packing some forced induction/aggressive cam

seriously, just look for another set of used heads

if you have the money for the springs and stage II's, then do it, it is worth the upgrade even stock

CanadaStang · May 7, 2006

On a stock Stang you won't see a big difference in the stage I vs stage II. The II will have a little more higher in the rpms and a little less down low. In order to take advantage of the stage II's you really should, at the very least have LT's.

four six · May 7, 2006

Order Patroit heads and stage 2s

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