What heads do I want?

[Nathan]

I'm going to be looking for some used heads soon. With a '92 stock block AOD, what heads are best for street use? Of course I'll get the TB, MAF, cam, etc to go with, but I figure that the heads are the first building block and decides what else I will want.

I've heard that for an AOD, I want GT-40x, TFS Street Head, and others. So my question is, what do you all this the best street head for an AOD is? I want low-end torque and good down low HP.

Any advise would be helpful. If anyone has a head, intake, cam, TB, MAF combo suggestion, let me have it all. I want to do it all anyhow, so let me have it. Thanks.

 

[90mustangGT]

Probally from what I have scene you would be happiest with a set of AFR 165's because they flow as much as the others with a smaller port size, which means more velosity. They will run you a little more than $1300. If your budget can't quite handle that you could get some GT40's or Thumpers.

 

[ironmedic]

i would recommend AFR 165's or TFS twisted wedge heads

 

[Nathan]

I've heard of the Thumper heads. Are they any good? I thought they were just ported stock heads. What does smaller port/more velocity gain me? If I plan this car to be a supercharged car, will I want the same thing? Please advise. Thanks.

 

[tvmango]

well, do you want power now or after a charger? two totally different setups.... I use the street heat heads on my blown 331, they seem good, you have to buy pushrods for any of the twisted wedge heads, just a fyi....

I would go with the afr's if I did it again....

the heads aren't really going to effect low end as much as your cam choice, you can have HUGE valves and if your cam opens them slightly, well that defeats the purpose doesn't it!!

 

[Blowfish]

Im looking at Thumper heads out of Florida. See them at www.thumperoforangepark.com 1/2 the price of GT40s hummm

 

[cmb91LX]

AFR 165s

Remember: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR

 

[Nathan]

So ARFs are the top choice here so far.

Does anyone have Thumper heads that they can give an opinion on?

What cam would I want to be using here. I think a SC is down the road for me. I want to do more with the ENGINE now, so let's look at the setup that way.

So give me a head, cam, intake, rocker combo to use. Remember, this is an AOD car with 4.10 gears and a 3200 stall convertor right now. I can change gears or convertor is needed to better match engine mods.

 

[cdog301]

heads

I know broken record AFR 165's

 

[Sgt.5point0]

I'm happy so far with my 165's... they just look like high quality right from the box. Unfortunatly I can't run the car at the local 1/8th mile track until I get a helmet. (I moved to a new area) Damn!

If you're going to go supercharged maybe you want to step up to AFR 185's. The smaller ports, more flow, velocity and what-not is great for a N/A setup but if you're going to run some boost it may become a limiting factor.

Strangely I hear that the stock cam and 1.7 rockers is good for a S/C setup. I run a TFS stage 1 with my AFRs. (But I'm running N/A)

Be aware of piston to valve clearance too! I only had 4 thousandths to spare for clearance on the intake side (using the clay/caliper method)!

 

[90mustangGT]

So ARFs are the top choice here so far.

Does anyone have Thumper heads that they can give an opinion on?

What cam would I want to be using here. I think a SC is down the road for me. I want to do more with the ENGINE now, so let's look at the setup that way.

So give me a head, cam, intake, rocker combo to use. Remember, this is an AOD car with 4.10 gears and a 3200 stall convertor right now. I can change gears or convertor is needed to better match engine mods.

I run Thumper heads and I am satisfied with them, I don't regret it any. Smaller ports means higher velosity, which will equal more flow at lower RPMs. You do get what you pay for, but it takes more than just slaping a set of heads on to make it run. You have to feed those heads, so with most of the rest being stock, it wouldn't make that much difference until you got everything else replaced. How about these combos:

A) AFR 165's out of the box: Total $1350

B) Thumper heads w/springs ($700) TMOSS ported lower intake ($130) 65mm TB+EGR ($250) C&L 73mm MAF ($130) TFS Stage 1 ($140). TOTAL $1350

Combo B will be faster than Combo A, but combo A will have more potential. Which will lead later to combo C which will blow the doors off both.
Combo C: AFR 165's ($1350) Performer RPM intake ($500) Comp 1.6 rockers ($250) FTI custom cam ($325) Pro-M MAF ($220) 255LPH Fuel pump ($120) 30lbs injectors ($230) Accufab 70mm TB+EGR ($250) TOTAL $3245

With combo A, you will be closer to Combo C, but you will still have far, far to go. You can mix and match, but when it comes down to it... Speed cost money, how fast do you want to go.


Edit: These are just examples to give a picture of what's involved in building a fast car. Step by Step unless your loaded or have really good credit and don't mind paying the interest.

 

[SlowGT]

I think you need a set of ported iron Windsor Jrs Like the one's I've got for sale :wink: Come out to Maple Grove on Saturday. I'll bring them along. If you like them, you can have them for $600. They're fully assembled. You can check out the technical info HERE

But if you don't want mine, then my vote goes to the AFR 165's.

 

[Nathan]

Nobody has mentioned GT-40X which I have heard is a good choice for an AOD car. True or untrue? Looks like the ARF's are the way to go. Is there any reason not to look for used ones? On an N/A car what would be the difference between 165s and 185s? I may want 185s for future superchargering, but does the N/A combo suffer a lot? Thanks.

 

[tmoss]

Since your going SC, stick with the stock cam for now.

Budget combo for now with better injectors later - GT40P heads ($600-700) and a ported Explorer intake with 65mm TB and EGR spacer with Bosch Design III -flow 21-24# @ 44psi, with all gaskets ($600 - see the calssifieds and search on "Explorer") = $1,200 - $1,300

Higher $ - AFR165 heads ($1,300-1,400), Explorer/Cobra/Performer intake ($250-400), 65 or 70mm TB ($200), matching EGR spacer (if needed $70), 36-42# injectors ($350-500) = $2,200+