Heads For A 302
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 660
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Restricting selection to just factory production, cast iron, inline valve heads:
Best-93-95 Mustang Cobra Heads (aka Gt40).
Second Best-Late 90's Explorer Heads (aka GT40P). These heads are actually better than the the Cobra heads for exaust airflow, but require special headers.
Third Best- Truck and 5.0L HO heads post 1987 (aka E7TE). The 85 Mustang HO heads (aka E5AE) are virtually the same.
Avoid heads with extra large open combustion chambers (70's through early 80's), or that don't have hardened valve seats (pre mid 70's). Although with hardened seats installed, the 60's heads are just as good as the E7's.
The E6SE heads ofton found on post 86 Crown Vics, and 86 HO's, and some trucks, are both ones to avoid or to get, depending on what you need. These heads have shouded valves so they have poor airflow at higher RPM. Nonetheless, they also have swirl combustion chambers, so they get better milege, cleaner emissions, and resist ping better. They are good for low end tourqe applications.
Best-93-95 Mustang Cobra Heads (aka Gt40).
Second Best-Late 90's Explorer Heads (aka GT40P). These heads are actually better than the the Cobra heads for exaust airflow, but require special headers.
Third Best- Truck and 5.0L HO heads post 1987 (aka E7TE). The 85 Mustang HO heads (aka E5AE) are virtually the same.
Avoid heads with extra large open combustion chambers (70's through early 80's), or that don't have hardened valve seats (pre mid 70's). Although with hardened seats installed, the 60's heads are just as good as the E7's.
The E6SE heads ofton found on post 86 Crown Vics, and 86 HO's, and some trucks, are both ones to avoid or to get, depending on what you need. These heads have shouded valves so they have poor airflow at higher RPM. Nonetheless, they also have swirl combustion chambers, so they get better milege, cleaner emissions, and resist ping better. They are good for low end tourqe applications.
Last edited by P51D Mustang; Nov 21, 2006 at 09:14 AM.
