I'm rebuilding an engine that I got from an 88 GT and am thinking about heads. I don't have alot to spend so I'll be doing the port work myself. Is it worth buying the GT40 heads if I'm going to port them or should I just port my E7TE heads and keep them?
I'm with ya there. I just picked up a set of GT40's (not "P") on Ebay for $200. Looks like they won't need any machine work but, I'm still going to have my machine shop look them over. I'll hit them with some port matching and maybe a little bowl work. I'll do the same type of thing for the Explorer intake that I just scored there, as well.
Heads......$200
Intake......$140
re-use stock cam with 1.7 rockers.....$150
Saving $2000 for want of 40 hp....PRICELESS!
(BTW--Some guys said that with Edelbrock alum heads, a Performer intake and an aftermarket cam, I could get an easy 300rwhp. Same guys said that this combo that I'm going to run is "only" good for about 260-280rwhp. Sounds like I came pretty close and kept about $2k in my pocket.) Sounds like the Ford parts aren't so bad, after all. Depends on whether you want to make a powerful/fun daily driver or shave 1/10th, or two, off your et. I want to have fun with my car and I can be happy not having the fastest car on the planet. I might not be able to "take" the Stangnet guys, but 98% of the cars on the street won't be much of a problem. The $2000 can go to lowering springs, wheels, stereo, etc.
I'm not dissing anyone that went that route. "More power to ya", I say. I'm not in a position to spend that kind of loot, though. I need to make every dollar count and still have a fun/reliable car that I enjoy sitting in.
I even thought of the 100hp dry shot, just for the pure fun of it. I'm sure I'll have some $$ left to buy that, too.
"zZsKyZz", build away. We can at least race each other, for the fun of it. We'll both have the same combo!
If you already have the gt40's or like reddy351 got a great deal on some go with them.
Before you send the heads to the machine shope....I would contact thumper460. He did my heads and they look awsome. The work he does also preaty much is what a machine shop would do plus porting. I spent 550$ on mill, valve job, new springs, tank, flux. That is about what it costs to have thumper port them...not a bad deal.
I am not nocking a set of well done e7's as thumpers do flow more than the gt40's if you dont have gt40's already that is not a bad route to take. I just would not expect to have the same power as a highdollar alum. head combo...and I dont think anyone is making that comparo.
TO me though a properly done set of ported heads
ported gt40 are going to be better than ported e7's with the correct combo.
I just got into my GT40's. Looks like a gasket matching is all they're going to need. The bowls look really good for an OE head. No wonder the GT40's have a good reputation. There are a few small bumps to work out but, really nice as they are. This is going to be FUN!
I'll take you up on that deal "zZ". How close are you to Carlisle? I want to go to the Ford show, next spring. Maybe meet up there.