Cheap Chinese Heads for 302

So, if I head over to flea-bay, I can find alloy heads for the 302 that range from the $1700 AFR stuff to $650 for what I assume is the Chinese knock-off versions.

I primarily want the heads for the weight reduction. I figure that an engine that will see most of its life cruising at about 2,000 rpm won't have any huge breathing needs or put huge strains on the heads. I think the AFR heads would be bored with the pedestrian duty that I am asking of the car.

anyone have any experience with the less expensive alloy heads out there and could recommend a vendor or brand?

you won't see any real benefit as far as fuel economy is concerned by removing that little weight from the car, but you might lose some fuel economy due to the heads probably being designed for a higher output engine running at a higher rpm range than what you are looking for..

In reply to novaderrik:

It is however a good 50-60lbs off the front end, up high. This would be very noticeable in a sub 2000lb sports car.

Summit Racing has a good selection of heads, and I'd trust buying from them over Ebay. Be careful and make sure you know what you're getting. Heads can be sold empty or completely assembled. I'd throw some cam at the engine to go with the heads, but that's just me. http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/cylinder-heads?SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=302%20aluminum%20heads

A guy on a different forum has some Chinese heads on his SBC. They've been nothing but grief for him. Rockers don't align, valves wore funny in the guides, etc.

One anecdote, yes. But take it for what it's worth.

In reply to ncjay:

If I were to go cheap, I'd definitely buy from Summit or somewhere else with equally good service.

Are you wanting a pair for $650? You can get a World Products "Man O' War" whatever head in aluminum, assembled, from Summit for that much. Single head. Cheapest heads they show are some Ford units with "turbo swirl" in the description that makes me leery for $560 each.

I think this is definitely a "you get what you pay for" situation when you approach the lower end of the cost scale. I also like buying American when I can.

Speedwaymotors sells a Flo-Tech heads for 370$ a peice and from what i've seen there pretty decent. Alot of people are starting to run them with good results, there a chinese made head but at least speedway stands behind there products in case anything is fishy with them

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flo-Tek-203505-Small-Block-Ford-Aluminum-Engine-Heads,46332.html

Caleb wrote: Speedwaymotors sells a Flo-Tech heads for 370$ a peice and from what i've seen there pretty decent. Alot of people are starting to run them with good results, there a chinese made head but at least speedway stands behind there products in case anything is fishy with them http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flo-Tek-203505-Small-Block-Ford-Aluminum-Engine-Heads,46332.html

This is pretty much where I was going with this. I am also aware of the need to bump compression when converting to alloy heads due to the heat disipation thing.

I would also like to stay with NA made parts, but to pay $1000 extra for performance that will never be used seems silly.

As to the GT heads on the Exploder engine; do they not require a special header flange?

I got a set of used GT40-Y303 heads (basically an aluminum GT40 head with slightly better flow) for $550. I was after the weight savings.

Some headers won't work with the P heads, the spark plugs are at a different angle.

I used a set of GT40-X303 heads on my '93 Cobra Mustang and was quite happy with them. The Y heads are more street oriented and for what you're looking for would be the best choise as far as cost, quality, weight reduction, and performance. Get the smaller chamber if your using pistons with valve eyebrows as the slight bump in compression is a good thing and aluminum heads cool better so pinging under load should not be an issue.

jimbbski wrote: I used a set of GT40-X303 heads on my '93 Cobra Mustang and was quite happy with them. The Y heads are more street oriented and for what you're looking for would be the best choise as far as cost, quality, weight reduction, and performance. Get the smaller chamber if your using pistons with valve eyebrows as the slight bump in compression is a good thing and aluminum heads cool better so pinging under load should not be an issue.

I have to agree that the Y variant is probably what I want. That is assuming that I can still get headers of some sort to fit.

Any suggestions on where to go looking for these babies? Are they unicorn material or what did they come on?

A light bulb is starting to come on in my head.

I can hire a flock of engineers to design and assemble this engine for less time and money than it cost me to buy the parts and assemble it myself.

Less than 4k. I spent 5k on the MGB motor so who am I trying to kid here?

China makes good stuff, junk, and everything in between. The key is being able to discern which is which. Those Flo-tech heads look like a killer deal if they hold up.

I agree with the aluminum gt40 heads. A good used set will be reasonably priced.

Both the Y & X head were a Ford Racing catalog head and also came on the GT40 crate engines. I found mine on Corral. Any header will bolt on. Far from a good deal if buying new but used they're good value if you can get by with the springs they come with (just about any mild cam).