Summer Project: New Heads...suggestions?

chris91LX · 04-04-2002, 12:11 AM

First thing you'll want to do is run a leak down test to make sure the short block is in good shape, no point putting $1000 heads on a block that needs a rebuild.
If everything is good after that it all depends on how much you want to spend. Iron heads like the gt40p's might be good for you, but you'll have to get headers that fit them because the configuration of the exhaust ports and spark plug holes are differen't. You can find GT 40 heads for fairly cheap too if you look around. I considered iron and aluminum heads and decided to go with aluminums.
I did alot of research searching all the boards and asking many stupid questions and ended up with the Edelbrock 6032's. Paid just under $1000 for them brand new on sale at Summit. I have to say that I am happy with them. I went with the Edelbrocks because they were supposed to be very high quality out of the box and free of defects, and direct replacement without any machining or special parts. I've heard the AFR's are putting out more power than any of the other box stock heads and appear to be very high quality. It's all going to depend on how much you want to spend. Expect to pay about twice as much as you think, by the time your done with gaskets, head bolts, head bolt inserts, timing chain, cam, lubricants, etc, etc. etc.
I ran a baseline dyno before i added the intake heads and cam and had 210 hp and 270ftlbs tq at the rear wheels with the stock long block and all the bolt ons (pulleys, 73mmm maf, 65mm tb, Crane ignition etc.) and after the Edelbrock heads, TFS stage 1 cam, ported Cobra intake, 76mm maf, 70mm tb, 24 lb injectors, kirban fpr, and a BM fan I dynoed at 282rwhp and 315ftlbs tq.

Bottom line is to search the boards, all of your questions have been asked a hundred times before, come back with specific questions, and make your own decisions. Everyone on here has opinions, there isn't one perfect combo and whatever you end up with you'll be happy with. Good luck

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
GT-40 heads	5.0 Pony	Windsor Power	1	09-10-2002 10:26 PM
val springs in stock 97 heads , quesion ?	southernstang97	Modular Madness	0	07-16-2002 11:52 AM
Help with heads, what to do????	HiFlow5 0	Windsor Power	5	07-14-2002 06:22 AM
What kind of Windsor heads?	vetteeatr	Windsor Power	11	10-28-2001 03:43 AM
questions about windsor senior heads	vetteeatr	Windsor Power	0	10-12-2001 11:32 AM

04-04-2002, 12:11 AM	#2
chris91LX Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Suburban Chicago, Hanover Park Posts: 695	First thing you'll want to do is run a leak down test to make sure the short block is in good shape, no point putting $1000 heads on a block that needs a rebuild. If everything is good after that it all depends on how much you want to spend. Iron heads like the gt40p's might be good for you, but you'll have to get headers that fit them because the configuration of the exhaust ports and spark plug holes are differen't. You can find GT 40 heads for fairly cheap too if you look around. I considered iron and aluminum heads and decided to go with aluminums. I did alot of research searching all the boards and asking many stupid questions and ended up with the Edelbrock 6032's. Paid just under $1000 for them brand new on sale at Summit. I have to say that I am happy with them. I went with the Edelbrocks because they were supposed to be very high quality out of the box and free of defects, and direct replacement without any machining or special parts. I've heard the AFR's are putting out more power than any of the other box stock heads and appear to be very high quality. It's all going to depend on how much you want to spend. Expect to pay about twice as much as you think, by the time your done with gaskets, head bolts, head bolt inserts, timing chain, cam, lubricants, etc, etc. etc. I ran a baseline dyno before i added the intake heads and cam and had 210 hp and 270ftlbs tq at the rear wheels with the stock long block and all the bolt ons (pulleys, 73mmm maf, 65mm tb, Crane ignition etc.) and after the Edelbrock heads, TFS stage 1 cam, ported Cobra intake, 76mm maf, 70mm tb, 24 lb injectors, kirban fpr, and a BM fan I dynoed at 282rwhp and 315ftlbs tq. Bottom line is to search the boards, all of your questions have been asked a hundred times before, come back with specific questions, and make your own decisions. Everyone on here has opinions, there isn't one perfect combo and whatever you end up with you'll be happy with. Good luck