What should I do?

[jivepepper]

I been wanting MMR stage 3 heads but It's a little more than I can afford, it would put a strain on my budget for a good while. After all the extras it's 2200

There are some stage 2 Patriot heads for 1295 at summit. That's with steel valves, bronze guides, High lift valve springs, and titanium retainers. MMR charges extra for that. The only thing is that I have heard a lot of bad things in the past about them. I have also heard they have addressed the problems. I like MMR more, but that's a huge difference. At the lower price I might be able to swing it.

What should I do?

 

[LaserSVT]

Sell your car and buy mine then no need for the heads

 

[jivepepper]

Sell your car and buy mine then no need for the heads

to much invested in this one. I already make 515hp

 

[eliteJAE]

i don't have any experience with either head, nor do i much about them, but this sounds like a situation where desperation might get the best of you. Save up and get the heads you really want, and WONT regret buying later

 

[darkside03gt]

try www.foxlakeracing.com they have stage 2 heads with better components then the patriots and cost 1795 with exchange. I willing to bet some money that they are better qaulity then the patriots and are priced right in between them and mmr.

 

[98blackstallion]

I have the MMR stage 2 heads and thats the ONLY ONLY MMR part that hasnt failed on me or caused problems. I got there 900 MOD shortblock and it spun a bearing after 2100 miles and 2 pistons rings didnt seat properly and I have had 2 of there oil pumps fail! Also i had the 575hp clutch kit and it wont even hold my 316 at the wheels for nothing.

I would check into fox lake or MPH for head choices. I wish I would have gotten some MPH's heads instead.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

try www.foxlakeracing.com they have stage 2 heads with better components then the patriots and cost 1795 with exchange. I willing to bet some money that they are better qaulity then the patriots and are priced right in between them and mmr.

This would be my suggestion as well.

 

[SaleenGT2001]

i got mine done with my engine. full port job and valves were $1200.

 

[jivepepper]

I have decided to try the patriots. I know they have had trouble in the past, but I feel the have addressed that in recent years.

try www.foxlakeracing.com they have stage 2 heads with better components then the patriots and cost 1795 with exchange. I willing to bet some money that they are better qaulity then the patriots and are priced right in between them and mmr.

I would have considered them, but I broke the inside bolt covers holes on the back of each head trying to hoist it. I know what a dumbass. So their's would end up costing me 2095

I have the MMR stage 2 heads and thats the ONLY ONLY MMR part that hasnt failed on me or caused problems. I got there 900 MOD shortblock and it spun a bearing after 2100 miles and 2 pistons rings didnt seat properly and I have had 2 of there oil pumps fail! Also i had the 575hp clutch kit and it wont even hold my 316 at the wheels for nothing.

I would check into fox lake or MPH for head choices. I wish I would have gotten some MPH's heads instead.

Sorry to hear this

I have had their mod 900 shortblock and their oil pump for 2 years and about 17k miles. Still works great and uses no oil.

 

[98blackstallion]

Good to hear man!

 

[H0SS302]

i have heard WAY to many negatives about patriots to even consider them as a possibility for power. they are a bargain header for a reason.

 

[jivepepper]

i have heard WAY to many negatives about patriots to even consider them as a possibility for power. they are a bargain header for a reason.

Well I have ordered them from Summit so if they look bad I'll just send them back.

 

[Fastwrx15]

I have decided to try the patriots.

I would avoid the patriot cylinder heads like the plauge.
I personaly have known two people that had problems with
their cylinder heads in the recent past.Your just asking for trouble/issues
with the patroit heads.
Save yourself the misery and give Fox Lake Racing a call you
will not regret it.

 

[SonicStangGT]

Just port and polish your stock heads, there is no dif in aftermarket heads. If you do the same to your stock. New valves, stems, guides, ect. I am having my stock stuff ported, because I cant afford $1700. I have good things and bad about patriot, hope it works out.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Just port and polish your stock heads, there is no dif in aftermarket heads. If you do the same to your stock. New valves, stems, guides, ect. I am having my stock stuff ported, because I cant afford $1700. I have good things and bad about patriot, hope it works out.

Porting a set of heads isn't exactly like carving a thanksgiving turkey my friend. Especially where modular heads are concerned. If you've never done it before, you can make a real mess of things. Each port has to be identical to the smallest detail. The turns and radiuses have to be smooth and uniform and you really need to pay attention to every single detail. Not impossible to an experienced porter, but time consuming and definitely something you don't want to attempting for the first time on an expensive engine build. You'll never match the accuracy or repeatability of the latest CNC methods, so don't even try if that's what you've got in mind.

I have over 20hrs sunk into my PI heads and those were about the 8th or 9th set of heads I’d done. That's not including the half a dozen intake and what not I've done as well. I still kept my first ported iron head as a reminder to how crappy a first attempt can be. Not only that, but it’s made a great boat anchor over the years.

 

[04GTMustang]

Porting a set of heads isn't exactly like carving a thanksgiving turkey my friend. Especially where modular heads are concerned. If you've never done it before, you can make a real mess of things. Each port has to be identical to the smallest detail. The turns and radiuses have to be smooth and uniform and you really need to pay attention to every single detail. Not impossible to an experienced porter, but time consuming and definitely something you don't want to attempting for the first time on an expensive engine build. You'll never match the accuracy or repeatability of the latest CNC methods, so don't even try if that's what you've got in mind.

I have over 20hrs sunk into my PI heads and those were about the 8th or 9th set of heads I’d done. That's not including the half a dozen intake and what not I've done as well. I still kept my first ported iron head as a reminder to how crappy a first attempt can be. Not only that, but it’s made a great boat anchor over the years.

hahahahaha that made me laugh. I am looking into MPH heads as well for an insane nitrous build that ive got planned. it briefly crossed my mind to do my own porting job but then i said wow i must be getting sick or something lol cause i would def mess it up pretty good. they wouldnt even look like heads anymore after i would be done with them.

I have looked into patriot as well. heard they fixed the problems but still 1300 dollars is a lot to fork out if somethings is messed up and i dont really want to start into that whole mess.

 

[Green&GoldGT]

Since you already have alot of money(or at least to me) put into a built shortblock, you might as well get a quality set of heads you won't have to worry about. There's alot of people that run Patriot heads with no problems, and so many people hear a few bad stories a long time ago that people think there have been more problems than in reality. But if it were me I'd go with Fox Lake, MPH, DSS, or buy a good set of used heads to be sent out to a reputable shop.

 

[SonicStangGT]

I didnt say do it yourself, there are machine shops that know how!

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I didnt say do it yourself, there are machine shops that know how!

You'd be surprised how little most machine shops know about the Ford Modular engines, if anything at all. In my experience, if it hasn't got pushrods and/or an over head valve design, they don't even want to touch it. I know a lot of shops that won't touch anything not made by Chevy?!? The ones that do know what they're doing will charge you up the wazzoo for the work because they know most other shops are afraid to touch them and they can pretty much charge what they like since there's almost no competition in the market.

I know it sounds easy enough, but I challenge you to find me just 3-estimates in your area from local machine shops who will perform full port and prep work on a set of Modular castings for you. Then ask them what exactly the work consists of and how many they've actually done. I bet their answer is going to be a big-old goose egg, but a head is a head....right? If that's the case, run as quickly as you can in the other direction. Any shop that's willing to charge you money for them to use your heads into their Ginny pig into the modular market is one that I would want nothing to do with.