Howdy all, I'm planning to go to pullapart this weekend to hunt for a set of GT40P heads and a GT40 (Explorer) I take for my 93 f150 302, my questions are how much work would I need to put into the heads before putting them on? Can I just clean the gasket surfaces and done? What other parts will I need? Will the truck pushrods work? Will the heads and intake mess up the Speed Density system? I've read headers are tough to find? Anyone know of good long tube headers that fit right? Anything else I should be aware of? Not going for breaking any speed records just want to give a bit more pep to the old 302 in my truck until I swap it for a mildly built 351 stroker.
Thanks in advance!

 

For all the work you're going to do those parts will make almost no difference in performance on your motor so you got nothing to worry about with the EFI system. If you are collecting those parts to reuse later on the 5.8 stroker then alright.. I see where you are going. If on the other hand you want to do something that will make a difference you can feel in the drivers seat then you want to change the cam, but that has to be the only thing you change on the motor otherwise the EFI system will be upset.

You don't need to do anything to the heads to put them on your motor but if they are high milage then the valve guides and springs will be worn and tired. If you can find 3 bar GT40s instead of the 4 bar P version that will solve your header fitment problem. Other than looks the Explorer/GT40 intake is a sideways move from the truck 5.0 intake.. no performance improvement, but it does make plumbing in MAF a lot easier.

 

Could I grab the cam of an Explorer or a Mustang and put that in the the truck with the GT40 heads and intake would the computer be ok or throw a fit?

 

That would be several steps too far for the EFI and fuel systems.. that is what I'm talking about. The motor you have as it stands is capable of making about 275hp, that is what the stock heads support and it is also the limit of what the stock 19lb injectors can supply. All it needs is a cam that allows enough airflow.
GT40 heads flow 20-30% better than the stock heads, a cam that takes full advantage of them would require 24lb injectors at least but the stock computer simply can't compensate for something like that never mind all of those parts at the same time.

 

Ok could I still change the intake and then the cam? And leave the stock heads on it?

 

Stock E7TEs are garbage heads don't waste any time or money on them, go for the GT40Ps and a cam to match the power band of the truck might look into rollerizing the engine as well if it isn't a roller cam, 1.6 or 1.7 ratio RRs wouldnt hurt, You would be required to do a MAF conversion, i'd say you'd be looking at 275-300hp, match it to an appropriate stall converter and you'd notice a decent gain.

for a 408 stroker don't bother with the GT40P they are too restricted, go for something like Edelbrock performer RPMs, maybe trickflow or AFR heads.

 

I dont have the funds to do it all at once, I am planning to do a MAF conversion for the stroker (I'm leaning towards 393 CI), me and a buddy are going to the junk yard this weekend and I figured I could pull a set of GT40/40P heads and an explorer intake to put on my truck, then once I go to MAF for the stroker I can put a bigger cam in. So can I get away with the GT40/40P heads and the Explorer intake on speed density? I'm no expert on engines but from what I know 20-30% better flow from the heads is 20-30% better flow, regardless of the cam specs, if anything the engine will breathe easier, right?

 

That would work.

 

Yes. The problem is the stock cam only produces 240deg TOTAL duration and 0.400" lift which means peak HP happens at 3500rpm. A 20% gain from 180hp is 220hp, a gain for sure but in the big scheme of things it's only just noticable, the motor will still peak at 3500rpm which is pretty sad. With a cam that allows the motor to spin to 5500rpm like it should even the stock heads will make more HP than that.

 

Just curious as to the response, but I rarely exceed 3500 rpm even driving my truck hard. Will changing the cam just make it rev. up to 5500 rpm all of a sudden during my normal commute or driving habits or are you guys dynoing and drag racing your trucks all day? I myself am an engine noob on a budget. I like the idea that as I maintain and enjoy my old classic truck, I can add it a little more power as items like bad head gaskets are replaced with cheap but better heads and learn more about my truck and engine building at the same time. I feel like I represent a large audience in this perspective.

 

Only if you have your foot on the floorboard. I rarely exceed 2500rpm while running around town in my work truck.. I try to get reasonable fuel milage but every once in a while you need to get on it to pass a car or whatever, and then when the foot is planted the motor will pull hard to a higher rpm.

 

Well yesterday I went to pulla part and the only V-8 Explorer in the lot had its intake pulled already, so all I got was the fresh air tube from an I6, the one that comes out by the radiator behind the grille, I'll probably be going to another yard next weekend.