I've been considering picking up a new set of heads for my car, and since I come mainly from a Honda background I dont know much about what I should be looking for or where to start. I've been told gt40s and gt40ps are a good factory upgrade but im thinking I may want something that will make a little more than the general 30-40 whp head swap. I plan to keep the car n/a and it will primarily be a street car that sees a fair amount of use. What should I be looking for? What other upgrades/new parts should I expect to include with the upgrade? What kinda of price ballpark can I expect to be in with some aftermarket aluminums vs a factory replacement? Also not sure on what cc heads I should be looking for. Any advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Engine Someone School Me On 5.0 Heads
- Thread starter omarimoe
- Start date
This can get very opinionated real quick. Most popular head choices for a stock block 302 are TFS 170, AFR 165 and Edelbrock performer. Get a cam that benefits the way you want to drive and a good intake. The Trick Flow top end kit for about $2,800 is a good all around kit that will net you +/- 300 rwhp depending on other mods. In addition to that kit you'll still need a larger MAF, 24# injectors, larger throttle body and in tank fuel pump.
Will the above mentioned heads change compression ratio very much if at all? I have a brand new complete boost brothers turbo kit that I got with my car and played with the idea of going turbo but im not sure I really want to. Also noobz347 in your opinion what size heads should I be looking for?
Before you go jumping into larger heads than the standard tw's or afr 165's, make sure there isn't piston to valve clearance issues. That headache isn't worth the trouble, especially if you aren't going to a 347 anytime soon.
Notching pistons sucks, i know, i've done it.
If you bought tw's and needed larger later, you could always send them to TEA and have them CNC'ed.
Gt40 iron heads, good if you need a new engine and they came on an explorer jy engine you are using, but they just don't add enough power to compete with any modern american muscle car to justify swapping them on to a running 302.
Notching pistons sucks, i know, i've done it.
If you bought tw's and needed larger later, you could always send them to TEA and have them CNC'ed.
Gt40 iron heads, good if you need a new engine and they came on an explorer jy engine you are using, but they just don't add enough power to compete with any modern american muscle car to justify swapping them on to a running 302.
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Yet another question that will have many different answers.
Me personally i like a good quality h/c/i setup to start. Done right it's definitely the most reliable.
Like 2000xp8 said, I think when building a good quality high HP engine it should always start with a good HCI engine so you have a solid well breathing foundation to boost on. If you ever remove the boost then at least you're left with a healthy peppy N/A motor.
When Noobz says he wishes he skipped the 185's for the 220's you have to know that he has a 347 stroker, not a 302. Not the same as you.
The TFS kit with a small turbo to net you an easy minimum 400hp to the wheels which is plenty enough to give you traction problems and endless supply of speeding tickets. Not sure about the TFS stage 1 cam as it relates to a turbo application though. Get a custom grind.
mikestang63
SN Certified Technician
You will not go wrong with either TW 170 or AFR 165 heads. Couple that with a decent cam and a set of good rockers and you are at 300rwhp.
To give you an example, I just bought the following and will be swapping this onto my car.
AFR165 heads
FMS 1.6 RR
TFS1 cam
PRW hardened pushrods
ARP head bolts 154-3605
Pro M 75 MM MAF
Ford SVO 30lb injectors
Felpro 9333pt1 head gaskets
Felpro MS93334 intake gasket
Felpro 1415 exhaust gaskets
Felpro Thermostat gasket
pioneer 872030 balancer
FRPP timing chain and gear
Mr gasket 180 thermostat
Along with the other stuff- SS intake, timing cover, exhaust bolts.
To give you an example, I just bought the following and will be swapping this onto my car.
AFR165 heads
FMS 1.6 RR
TFS1 cam
PRW hardened pushrods
ARP head bolts 154-3605
Pro M 75 MM MAF
Ford SVO 30lb injectors
Felpro 9333pt1 head gaskets
Felpro MS93334 intake gasket
Felpro 1415 exhaust gaskets
Felpro Thermostat gasket
pioneer 872030 balancer
FRPP timing chain and gear
Mr gasket 180 thermostat
Along with the other stuff- SS intake, timing cover, exhaust bolts.
Well after a little more research I think im going to look into getting some heads on the smaller side and shoot for a lower whp goal. If I get tired of it and its not fast enough I can then always install the turbo kit and make up for the smaller heads with boost. What cc combustion chamber heads should I be looking for with regard to an n/a motor? The popular ones ive seen are 58cc, 61cc, and 62cc.
