351w suggestions
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
GT40P heads are better than stock 351 heads but I'm not sure where you could buy
them other than at a dealership. If you get used ones they would probably have to be
reconditioned which would cost money. I like Dart cast iron cylinder heads for small
block Fords. They come fully assembled with a performance valve job and springs to
match most cams you would want to use. I don't sell or have anything to do with them
but have used them in the past with good results. They can be purchased at Summitt
or Jegs and for a while aleast a few years ago from Ford Motorsports catalog. I would
at least do a cost comparison if you are seriously looking at cylinder head replacement.
them other than at a dealership. If you get used ones they would probably have to be
reconditioned which would cost money. I like Dart cast iron cylinder heads for small
block Fords. They come fully assembled with a performance valve job and springs to
match most cams you would want to use. I don't sell or have anything to do with them
but have used them in the past with good results. They can be purchased at Summitt
or Jegs and for a while aleast a few years ago from Ford Motorsports catalog. I would
at least do a cost comparison if you are seriously looking at cylinder head replacement.
Conanski's going to have to help you out with the SD issues- I've only dealt with carbureted V8's!
Changing out heads would be an $1,800 project (not counting the SD upgrades that will probably have to happen), but you can get a very large realistic power increase. It doesn't sound like that's the direction you want to go, but just keep in mind that if you want serious power it's going to involve everything except the short block.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
I used the World Windsor Jr's in the past and they were great. The next 302 I build will be wearing Edelbrocks or AFR's though. I was at first scared of an aluminum-headed engine, but keep in mind that gasket technology has come a long way since bi-metal engines first came out, and especially if you do it right with ARP fasteners and Fel-Pro gaskets you'll never have an issue with sealing.
The GT-40p's are cheaper than most aftermarket heads, but if you make the decision to upgrade your heads there's no reason not to spend the money while you're in there.
The best advice I can throw out there is to be realistic with your expectations and always keep in mind what the purpose of the truck is. There's not a lot of "cheap power" out there to make. Also, if the truck is a daily driver then it's almost certainly not worth taking the top end apart when it works fine the way it is.
The GT-40p's are cheaper than most aftermarket heads, but if you make the decision to upgrade your heads there's no reason not to spend the money while you're in there.
The best advice I can throw out there is to be realistic with your expectations and always keep in mind what the purpose of the truck is. There's not a lot of "cheap power" out there to make. Also, if the truck is a daily driver then it's almost certainly not worth taking the top end apart when it works fine the way it is.
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: summerfield fl
GT40P heads are better than stock 351 heads but I'm not sure where you could buy
them other than at a dealership. If you get used ones they would probably have to be
reconditioned which would cost money. I like Dart cast iron cylinder heads for small
block Fords. They come fully assembled with a performance valve job and springs to
match most cams you would want to use. I don't sell or have anything to do with them
but have used them in the past with good results. They can be purchased at Summitt
or Jegs and for a while aleast a few years ago from Ford Motorsports catalog. I would
at least do a cost comparison if you are seriously looking at cylinder head replacement.
them other than at a dealership. If you get used ones they would probably have to be
reconditioned which would cost money. I like Dart cast iron cylinder heads for small
block Fords. They come fully assembled with a performance valve job and springs to
match most cams you would want to use. I don't sell or have anything to do with them
but have used them in the past with good results. They can be purchased at Summitt
or Jegs and for a while aleast a few years ago from Ford Motorsports catalog. I would
at least do a cost comparison if you are seriously looking at cylinder head replacement.
I agree about shopping around, for about 200 dollars a piece assembled that aint to bad. the only thing I can think that you have to do to put em on is have the 7/16 head bolt holes enlarged to 1/2.
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: summerfield fl
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I was just curious why in the past have you have said that long tube headers are the way to go? Is this setup just a bolt up kit or will there be fab work involved? One last thing how many o2 sensors are on our trucks and are they located before and after the cat converter?
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
Longtubes are king form a performance standpoint but there are no over the counter Y pipes to put them on these trucks you have to build your own. In comparison the shorty header setup mentioned is a relatively simple bolt-on affair. These trucks have a single O2 and it is before the cat, the Bassini and Magnaflow Y pipes will have a bung for this as will some of the headers, and smog legal headers will also have a bung for the EGR tube.
If I put that cam in and shorty headers and keep the factory exhaust oh and rocker arms what kind of gains do you think i will have
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
Where could I get an rv cam like you re talking about
Thanks,
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Incidentally I have a set of Dart Iron Eagles for my 5.8 build, got them complete with 0.550" lift springs and 2.02/1.60" valves for $1250. RHS is another company making iron heads for these motors that cost about the same, on paper both these heads perform nearly as well as aluminum AFR heads which cost significantly more.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I didn't get a decibel reading before and after, but it's not any louder at all. You're right about it being quiet- before and after it's still not as loud as the fuel pump!
I called Flowmaster and that's exactly what their tech said to do. I told him I had an inline-6 and wanted the efficiency but none of the sound and it turned out to be exactly what I wanted!
I called Flowmaster and that's exactly what their tech said to do. I told him I had an inline-6 and wanted the efficiency but none of the sound and it turned out to be exactly what I wanted!
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
As was already stated, the Bassani or Magnaflow Y pipe and a good muffler like Magnaflow, Dynomax, etc will give you a good exhaust system. Just run a 3 inch single exhaust. Many have done that with good results and you can put it together yourself. I forgot what tail pipe they used, but I think it was easy to get as well. If you want duals just get a SIDO muffler.
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: summerfield fl
You can get a rv, or tow haul cam from either summit or comp cams, I believe isky cams also manufacture one. Heres a link to comp cams
COMP Cams: Magnum
COMP Cams: Magnum
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Conaski,
You seem to be the guru when it comes to a lot of the motor questions I've seen on here, and I've got some questions for you based on your experience. Is there a better way of contacting you other than here? Questions based on 94 351w roller, gt40 heads, cam and the computer. Got a smokin deal on damn near new heads, so trying to figure this out.
Thanks dude.
Brad
You seem to be the guru when it comes to a lot of the motor questions I've seen on here, and I've got some questions for you based on your experience. Is there a better way of contacting you other than here? Questions based on 94 351w roller, gt40 heads, cam and the computer. Got a smokin deal on damn near new heads, so trying to figure this out.
Thanks dude.
Brad
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
51truck
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
3
Jul 28, 2003 01:36 PM
toolmantk
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
May 20, 2003 12:35 AM
63Bruce
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Sep 20, 1999 10:54 PM
