SBF - Aluminum Heads

Mostly just a thought exercise at the moment.

Are there any budget options for Aluminum heads on the small block Ford? Primary focus on weight savings over cast iron. Performance is secondary (I already know the GT-40 heads perform great, but are heavy iron)

edit: I said something that wasn't true.

Kreb wrote: Explorers/Mountaneers came stock with aluminum GT-40 heads. I've heard that they're pretty inexpensive.

Huh? GT-40P's are cast iron.

There are a ton of Ford heads out there. The cheapest new one's are probably the "Flo Tek" heads sold by speedway motors. I'd look for a good set of used AFR or Trick Flow heads on craigslist.

Kreb wrote: Explorers/Mountaneers came stock with aluminum GT-40 heads. I've heard that they're pretty inexpensive.

Actually, the GT-40P heads on those engines were cast iron.

I'd check the used market. There are/were a plethora of aftermarket aluminum heads available for the SBF, you should be able to find something cheap out there.

Were there any factory Aluminum options?

Beware of the cheap aluminum heads. Typically they require a lot of rework just to be usable. After you've finished making those work, you are approaching an out of the box edelbrock or trick flow head, with afr's not that much more.

Anything OEM Ford is going to be cast iron, period.

Indy-Guy wrote: Were there any factory Aluminum options?

Closest thing would be the GT-40X heads sold by SVT.

I stand corrected. Sorry for the misinformation.

Kreb wrote: I stand corrected. Sorry for the misinformation.

No problem. I have to say my reality was collapsing for a few minutes. If those really were aluminum I'd be at the U pull it yard TODAY getting a set.

I was just trying on some alternate facts!

mblommel wrote:

Indy-Guy wrote: Were there any factory Aluminum options?

Closest thing would be the GT-40X heads sold by SVT.

FRP had a few different models of AL heads, from what I remember. I know the GT-40Ys were one of the earlier ones.

As for factory AL heads that actually came on a car, I want to say the 95 Cobra R had them, maybe? But that car is so rare it'd be easier to find some Twisted Wedges on CL. It's a better head than pretty much any of the Ford stuff, anyhow.

old article 2009, but they make 400 hp out of a SBF with $1000 (including purchase of motor). They use cheapo aluminum heads.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/engine/mmfp-0910-building-400hp-into-a-5-0-l-small-block-engine/

$2,000 budget? $500 budget? 302 cubes?

A lot of people are upgrading from their old AFR and Twisted Wedge heads for the new 11r series heads from TW, so there are used ones to be had. I would approach buying a used set that you'll need valve seals and magnafluxing/resurfacing at a minimum. Also, cheap knock-off heads come with cheap knock-off springs. Even some of the heads from AFR and TW could use a spring upgrade. By the time you factor in what it could potentially cost to get a used set of heads serviceable, you may not be too far off the price of a new set.

http://forums.corral.net/forums/windsor-engine-parts/

I was summoned?

Robbie wrote: old article 2009, but they make 400 hp out of a SBF with $1000 (including purchase of motor). They use cheapo aluminum heads. http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/engine/mmfp-0910-building-400hp-into-a-5-0-l-small-block-engine/

Why'd they ditch the EFI? I thought the Ford computer has been throughly cracked. Wouldn't it be better to just tune that rather than switch to a carb?

thatsnowinnebago wrote: Why'd they ditch the EFI? I thought the Ford computer has been throughly cracked. Wouldn't it be better to just tune that rather than switch to a carb?

Usually a carburetor and a single plane intake are what the magazines seem to go to when doing these "xxx HP for only $x,xxx!" deals for ease of use and cost.

Yeah, often updating the EFI intake, TB, injectors, fuel pressure, maf, etc, etc, is more expensive than a single plane and a carb.

According to the first result from typing budget SBF heads into Google, yes there are "budget options for Aluminum heads on the small block Ford". It would seem that the Flo-Tek heads might be perfectly acceptable in this application.

If you want a really good deal on some heads just buy the first ones you see that are out of your budget. Wait about three days then look again, the market will be flooded with awesome deals. Or just watch the mustang forums and CL long enough to recognize a good deal and jump on it. $500-$800 for some good usable heads is a good deal, add a hundred or three and they are out there every day. My FTI modified AFR 165's came used for $800, that's with some mild work, better valves and springs.

No production Ford came with aluminum heads on either a 302 or 351 engine. The 1993 Cobra R got cast iron heads (GT40) and the 1995 Cobra R got the same heads on a 351. Ford did issue the SVT GT-40Y & GT-40X heads and later the GT-40Z heads all in aluminum. Most of the crate engines that Ford did sell came with one or another version of these heads once the Windsor production line was shut in the late 90's and the GT-40P cast iron heads were no longer made.

I did own one of the rare 1993 Mustang Cobra R's. I did install the GT-40X heads and dropped nearly 50 lbs from the front end of the car. I also picked up bigger ports and bigger valves for more flow. That with a ported intake and LT headers moved the power peak up a few hundred RPM's and increased power to about 330 HP over the stock rating of 235 HP. Enough HP that with a 3.73 rear and a revised 5th gear in the T5 and if would hit 140+ MPH (Observed) at redline (6200 RPM) in 5th gear!

A good mod in my book.

True, the E7 heads are the weak link in the 5.0 motor. AFRs on a stock 5.0 are worth around 70 whores with the usual bolt ons to support, thats a lot of whores. With the stock cam it makes a great street motor. Without better heads its almost pointless to change the cam in a 5.0 unless you just like the sound.

so what does it take to make these $575 assembled ebay heads ok? linky

What about these $700 ones? 180-60cc or 200-62cc

Thanks for all the great responses guys. A wealth of information.

bluej wrote: so what does it take to make these $575 assembled ebay heads ok? linky What about these $700 ones? 180-60cc or 200-62cc

interesed in what the hive thinks about the above and this one too. These $599 ones with free shipping. Seller claims to have sold lots of them.

In reply to Indy-Guy:

Pro comp.... run far far away.