GT40P Cylinder Heads

[Rickd]

Research is half the fun. I'm following the advice I've received from a lot of you guys and I'm researching ways to "tweak" my 302. Very interesting look at the flow data on a range of cylinder heads, Edelbrock Performer RPM, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge, Brodix, Ford GT40 X, and the Ford GT 40P. The GT 40 P does surprisingly well. They are weakest on the exhaust side, but they should be a cast iron head that would benefit tremendously from porting (even the home porting style!). Heck, they are half the price of the other aftermarket heads (or less), leaving a lot of room for home porting and a rebuild with some quality valves.

Intake/ Exhaust flow at varying lift

.1 .2 .3 .4 .5
Edelbrock 56/44 114/91 166/132 200/160 214/171
GT 40X 56/49 105/105 154/141 192/158 210/162
Brodix 61/58 125/93 175/130 215/155 230/172
Trick FTW 62/48 131/97 193/134 230/161 242/178
GT40P 61/50 125/89 166/120 192/131 196/138

I think I should be able to locate a set of decent used GT40P's, and do a rebuild with home porting, and match or exceed the performance characteristics of a lot of the heads detailed above.

What do you guys think? I'd also feel real good about the personal involvement aspect of improving the performance of my 302. Kind of like they did way back when. Thanks, Rick. (anyone got a set they don't need?????)

289 FIA, #9299, Viking Blue, 302 HO, T-5

[Rickd]

Looks like my "spreadsheet" didn't format well!


Lift:----------.01-----.02-----.03-----.04------.05
Edelbrock-----56/44---114/91--116/132--200/160--214/171
Brodix--------61/58---125/93--175/130--215/155--230/132
Trick Flow TW-62/48---131/97--193/134--230/161--242/178
GT40 X303-----56/49---105/105-154/141--192/158--210/162
GT40P---------61/50---125/89--166/120--191/132--196/138

Rick

289 FIA, #9299, Viking Blue, 302 HO, T-5

[Justin Upchurch]

I have had the GT40 P and X in the past, and would most likely choose a different head if I were in your position. Also, with the price of heads so cheap I don't think I would risk buying used. You will have to replace the springs and do a valve job anyway. Another thing to consider is having the heads CNC ported or buying a head that is already CNC ported like the DART or AFR. You may want to check out avengerclyinderheads.com, last I checked you could get a set of their avenger heads, which is a 197 Canfield for $1039 complete. These flow 275/220 out of the box, and for $1399 they are CNC ported and flow 300/225.
These vs the GT40 on a stock 302 are a difference of 40 HP with a Ford Motorsports E303 cam.
I would set your performance goal and build to that. It is much cheaper to spend $400 more now than to have to pull the heads off later down the road because you want more power. If you were to run any of the AFR, Eddlebrock, or avenger heads with an E303 cam and either a Performer RPM or an AirGap RPM intake you should pick up 80-100 HP over where you are now. If you were to go with just the GT40P I would think you would get 30 horsepower over what you have now.

Justin

[Brent]

I think the AFR Alum heads are a great product for the money. I understand you want to grind and piddle for the experience and the old school feel but the end result is what you have to drive and live with. You need a good cyl. head and intake combination MATCHED to the proper camshaft and it will run. Mix and match home grown combinations usually do not work very well.

Brent
427 SC Chassis #4279401
Candy Apple Red/White
402 FE/Toploader/3.54

[Rickd]

My mechanic is recommending the Trick Flow TW heads along with either a Ford E303 (tame for him) or a slightly hotter comp or steeda cam, along with new rockers, maybe 1.7's. The TF's flow similarly to the AFR's and should make a good combo, and provide all the power I can use. I might just keep my "home made" activities limited to loading ammo for target shooting! Thanks again.Rick

289 FIA, #9299, Viking Blue, 302 HO, T-5

[pbrown]

quote:Originally posted by Rickd

My mechanic is recommending the Trick Flow TW heads along with either a Ford E303 (tame for him) or a slightly hotter comp or steeda cam, along with new rockers, maybe 1.7's. The TF's flow similarly to the AFR's and should make a good combo, and provide all the power I can use. I might just keep my "home made" activities limited to loading ammo for target shooting! Thanks again.Rick

289 FIA, #9299, Viking Blue, 302 HO, T-5


Trick Flow makes some very nice parts. If you use their heads, consider also using their cam and pistons. The pistons have a rotated dish to match the combustion chanber of the heads.



Patrick
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