Engine What Aluminum Heads???

Iceman1998 · Sep 8, 2024

I have a Stock '88 5.0L and I've had to remove the E7 heads to replace a head gasket. While I'm this far I'm tossing the idea up of replacing the stock E7 heads with a set of Aluminum's.

Here is what the current set up is - Completely stock bottom, crank, cam, GT40 upper & lower, flowmasters, hi flow cat H-pipe, 3:73 gear

I am still running the smog pump and piping, and EGR valve and would like to keep it.

So what heads would be the best suited for my set up? Do all aluminum heads have the provisions for the smog pump tube to be reconnected and the provision for the EGR port in the head?

Thanks in advance!

Bullitt347 · Sep 8, 2024

You get what you pay for.
That being said, you don't need the high $ heads either.
A quick search will find which heads are Emissions Legal. That will eliminate over 75% of the aluminum heads available.
Narrow your choice down from there.

Noobz347 · Sep 8, 2024

AFR 185cc Renegade SBF Bare Cylinder Heads, 58cc Chambers, Emissions-Legal, No Parts - Air Flow Research 1423 - TREperformance.com

TREperformance sells new AFR 185cc renegade cylinder heads from Air Flow Research for almost any Ford vehicle including the 1986-1993 Mustang 5.0L GT and Cobra, or any other fox body mustang, part #1423.

treperformance.com

89ripper · Sep 8, 2024

Edelbrock 6037 lol
Jk thats what i run...old setup
AFR got some good stuff

gkomo · Sep 9, 2024

Can you run Trick Flow heads without notched pistons? Like just the 170cc ones?

Noobz347 · Sep 9, 2024

Yes.

Just know that the deck height on TFS head will put you 3/8 inch above stock. This can cause issues with some intakes. Choose valve covers and intakes with that in mind.

Noobz347 · Sep 9, 2024

I'm pretty sure the 88 has notched pistons.

Somebody smarter than me, confirm or deny this please?

Bullitt347 · Sep 9, 2024

Yes.
It was the 86 and earlier 5.0 that did not have a notched piston.

gkomo · Sep 9, 2024

I only brought up the TFS heads because they are smog legal (the 170cc ones) so they have all the smog ports and what not. And they weren't mentioned previously. I have run them before and they were great heads. They seem to be in line with AFR's as far as costs go.

Noobz347 · Sep 9, 2024

The AFR 185s are also smog legal. I think now, they even have a 190 with the ports.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 13, 2024

I’d go with the TFS170s

They are canted heads, which will offer the best PTV clearance with aggressive camshaft profiles without needed to notch the pistons.

They are smog legal. They have the provision for the EGR and air pump holes, although if you have no cats or high flow 2-cats you don’t need the head ports.

They are proven.

It’s what I have on my stock bottom end 88

Blackhawkxx · Sep 14, 2024

Noobz347 said:
The AFR 185s are also smog legal. I think now, they even have a 190 with the ports.

From what I'm seeing, there only smog legal 185 Ford head can't be used with stock pistons.

185CC SBF STREET CYLINDER HEAD

Legal for 1995 and older emissions controlled vehicles under CARB EO #D-250-3. Not compatible with OEM pistons.

185cc SBF Street Cylinder Head

Cylinder Head Specialists

www.airflowresearch.com

But their 165 is.

165cc SBF Street Cylinder Head

Cylinder Head Specialists

www.airflowresearch.com

Noobz347 · Sep 14, 2024

Blackhawkxx said:
From what I'm seeing, there only smog legal 185 Ford head can't be used with stock pistons.

185CC SBF STREET CYLINDER HEAD
Legal for 1995 and older emissions controlled vehicles under CARB EO #D-250-3. Not compatible with OEM pistons.

185cc SBF Street Cylinder Head

Cylinder Head Specialists

www.airflowresearch.com

But their 165 is.

165cc SBF Street Cylinder Head

Cylinder Head Specialists

www.airflowresearch.com

Perhaps the oversized valves?

Noobz347 · Sep 14, 2024

From the PDF file:

WARNING: PISTON DOME TO CYLINDER HEAD CLEARANCE MUSTBE CHECKED PRIOR TO FINAL ASSEMBLY OF ENGINE. PISTONMIGHT NEED CLEARANCE WITH AFR HEART SHAPED CHAMBER.

MUST BE CHECKED BEFORE ASSEMBLY, HEADS WITH 2.020”VALVES OR LARGER USUALLY WILL NOT FIT A PISTONWITHOUT VALVE NOTCHES HAVING PROPER RELIEFS.

NOTE: 1986 5.0L MUST HAVE PISTONS NOTCHED FORCLEARANCE. HIGH FLOW 2.020” OR LARGER VALVES MIGHTREQUIRE AFTERMARKET PISTONS, OR NOTCHED STOCK PISTONSFOR VALVE CLEARANCE.

It sounds like it is [close] on 87+ and of course... No go with 86 flat-tops.

Mindseye007 · Sep 15, 2024

Iceman1998 said:
I have a Stock '88 5.0L and I've had to remove the E7 heads to replace a head gasket. While I'm this far I'm tossing the idea up of replacing the stock E7 heads with a set of Aluminum's.

Here is what the current set up is - Completely stock bottom, crank, cam, GT40 upper & lower, flowmasters, hi flow cat H-pipe, 3:73 gear

I am still running the smog pump and piping, and EGR valve and would like to keep it.

So what heads would be the best suited for my set up? Do all aluminum heads have the provisions for the smog pump tube to be reconnected and the provision for the EGR port in the head?

Thanks in advance!

These are smog legal too. I might upgrade to these one day, my E7 heads and the rest of the car was built on a Wednesday, they still give good power with my 4.10 gears and she still takes off like a rocket.

https://lmr.com/item/TFS-51400004M61/1979-95-Mustang-50L-58L-Trick-Flow-Twisted-Wedge-Heads

Bullitt347 · Sep 15, 2024

Blackhawkxx said:
From what I'm seeing, there only smog legal 185 Ford head can't be used with stock pistons.

Sure they can.
If the camshaft does not have to much overlap or duration at the wrong time, they can easily be used.
They put the disclaimer of checking piston to valve clearance so people just don't put a big thumper cam in it and then wonder why they bent some valves.
Keep the LSA at 113/114
Keep the duration at .050 less than 235* and you should be golden.
There are a ton of cams that fall into that range.
You can have a .650 lift cam with 185 heads on stock pistons if the LSA and duration are kept in check.
It is not how much lift you have, it is when is the valve open in relation to the piston.

limp · Sep 15, 2024

No matter what, do your homework and check Valve to Piston clearance..

Bullitt347 · Sep 15, 2024

limp said:
No matter what, do your homework and check Valve to Piston clearance..

I hate when people put bubble gum on their pistons...

Blackhawkxx · Sep 15, 2024

Bullitt347 said:
Sure they can.
If the camshaft does not have to much overlap or duration at the wrong time, they can easily be used.

AFR said: "Not compatible with OEM pistons." Not me.

Noobz347 · Sep 15, 2024

Blackhawkxx said:
AFR said: "Not compatible with OEM pistons." Not me.

Yeah, it's just that we've seen the combo a [bunch] of times.

Engine What Aluminum Heads???

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I have been doing it wrong this whole time

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now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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185CC SBF STREET CYLINDER HEAD​

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

185CC SBF STREET CYLINDER HEAD​

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

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10 years still blowing strong

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

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wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

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