95 gt - v2 s-trim, what heads, cam, ignition?

thorco3 · Dec 6, 2009

It's about time for me to tear into the engine again. I need some suggestions and feedback.

Current setup:

95 gt 302
s-trim 7lbs boost

90mm LMAF
70mm tb
cobra upper/lower intake
motorcraft cap/rotor
frpp plug wires 9mm

255lph walbro
42lb inj

full exhaust
stock e7 heads
stock bottom end
dynotuned

I'm thinking I would like to upgrade my ignition system and possibly throw on a set of heads and maybe even a cam. If all goes well, I will go ahead and throw a smaller pulley on the blower, block off the egr and head to the dyno for another tune.

So, suggestions on ignition components, heads, cam...?

AFR 165's
cam - not sure
msd 6AL

thorco3 · Dec 6, 2009

Will throwing a new msd coil and box at it really benefit me?

From what I've read the AFR's are bascially a bolt on deal, they come with springs, pushrods, and everything I need correct. Obviously I will need new gaskets, but am I forgetting anything else?

Other than that... anything else I need, should have etc.?

Spd0lit · Dec 7, 2009

I would think that the AFR 185s would be better suited for your setup. Yes, new head gaskets,intake gaskets, if you are doing a cam a new timing cover gasket. The AFRs are pretty much a bolt on deal. As for a cam either a custom (ed curtis, jay allen, ect.) or a cam like the f-cam or a wolverine 1087 cam.

LAFENATU · Dec 7, 2009

What are you looking for exactly? Money a factor? This a dd? etc.

AFR heads don't come with pushrods. That is something you're going to want to measure for.

If you want a solid 11 second setup

PMAS Velocity MAF
70mm TB
AFR 165's
Anderson B31 Cam
Cobra intake
42 or 60lb injectors
Full exhaust
S-trim 3.33 pulley

The AFR 185's will work too but with a stock shortblock you'll have clearance issues with an aftermarket cam.

I would get a Mallory ignition box/coil/cap/rotor and some FRPP wires.

thorco3 · Dec 7, 2009

LAFENATU said:
What are you looking for exactly? Money a factor? This a dd? etc.

AFR heads don't come with pushrods. That is something you're going to want to measure for.

If you want a solid 11 second setup

PMAS Velocity MAF
70mm TB
AFR 165's
Anderson B31 Cam
Cobra intake
42 or 60lb injectors
Full exhaust
S-trim 3.33 pulley

The AFR 185's will work too but with a stock shortblock you'll have clearance issues with an aftermarket cam.

I would get a Mallory ignition box/coil/cap/rotor and some FRPP wires.

thanks for the input so far guys. I guess I should have listed a little more info on my car.

I'm currently running a 255lph walbro, 42lb inj, 90mm LMAF, 70mm tb, and a cobra upper and lower. I also installed a motorcraft cap/rotor and 9mm frpp plug wires, as well as one heat range colder plugs when I installed the blower. I've updated the first post as well.

thorco3 · Dec 7, 2009

An solid 11sec car sounds great. I suppose my goal is to get around 400rwhp, keep in mind, I don't have the cash to go fully built. The car will get a little track time, but the local track is only an 1/8th.

Money is def a factor but the car is not my dd, so I can take my time.

Can I use my stock pushrods? or will I need hardened push rods with the new heads. I'm still thinking afr165's.

I'm really a noob when it comes to cams...

Why mallory vs msd?

LAFENATU · Dec 7, 2009

MSD products suck d1ck compared to their older stuff. Quality has REALLY gone down hill. Mallory is top notch and is comparible in price, if not less.

AFR 165's
1.6 Rockers Stud or Pedestal based on what AFR's you decide on.
Anderson B31 Cam 218/226 @.050 .542/.542 112 LSA

I would do new hardened one-piece pushrods (not welded-on tip pushrods)...your going to want to measure with an adjustable pushrod to get the correct size.

Ignition Box:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-6853M/

Coil:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-29214/

With your cobra intake, S-trim, those heads and cam your gonna make 450 easily.

thorco3 · Dec 7, 2009

thanks for the info and links.

would this work better for me? I like the fact that this one is black, and it mentions that it is good up to 6500rpms vs 4000-7000.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-29209/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-29214/

what is the main difference between the stud or pedastal heads, I've heard that mentioned before and don't know the difference. Why would I want one vs the other?

LAFENATU · Dec 7, 2009

A pedestal mount rocker is a bolt down rocker. A pedestal rocker is strong enough for what you want 400-450HP.

A stud mount rocker is not a bolt down style and is stronger and can take more abuse.

thorco3 · Dec 7, 2009

they seem to be the same price, so would it not make sense to go ahead and get the stud mount?

foss_94gt · Dec 8, 2009

Hey thorco what does your car put down for power now ?

reduceallpain · Dec 8, 2009

just gotta ask how much hp did your car make at 6lbs??

thorco3 · Dec 8, 2009

281/355

NXcoupe · Dec 8, 2009

thorco3 said:
281/355

really?? Ok. Well, I will throw my favorite setup into the ring. Stock cam, TFS Twisted wedge heads, they utilize a 2.02" intake valve and will allow up to .540 lift on a cam. I say stock cam to take more advantage of the low boost you have. they come as a stud mount style. so you will need to buy rockers and pushrods, the bolt down rockers are usually more expensive unless you were to use the cobra crane's. Anyway, the TFS out of the box is a 175 cc head, cheaper and a better performer in a boosted application imho. Also, have your lower port matched to the heads. Keep your 42's they are more than enough for that hp level. Top it off with a nice set of TFS valve covers. This setup with your blower is capable of well over 400 hp. The stock cams work so well in a boosted application because of their wide lsa. It keeps the boost from going out the exhaust. There are guys on turbomusangs forums running stock cams to insane levels of power. And it gives it a smooth, don't give me a second look, kind of idle. I like that personally, my black car in my sig would be a great street sleeper. Your cobra intake in an n/a setup would be a limiter on power, but since you are boosted, well not much but boosted nontheless, you don't have to worry about intake restriction because the supercharger will push it through it anyway. Get a PMAS velocity mass air no matter what you do as laffenatu suggested.

NERD · Dec 8, 2009

I have built dozens of fords and Every time I've used any MSD product they seemed to fail 100% of the time. I have yet to have any Mallory coils, control boxes or Dizzy's go bad.

My very first ford engine is still running to this day a 15 year old Dizzy and a 8 year old coil with 215k miles since the build.

Conversely, I never had any issues with the MSD stuff on the GM's. No explanation there except, Car Gods.

thorco3 said:
An solid 11sec car sounds great. I suppose my goal is to get around 400rwhp, keep in mind, I don't have the cash to go fully built. The car will get a little track time, but the local track is only an 1/8th.

Money is def a factor but the car is not my dd, so I can take my time.

Can I use my stock pushrods? or will I need hardened push rods with the new heads. I'm still thinking afr165's.

I'm really a noob when it comes to cams...

Why mallory vs msd?

LAFENATU · Dec 8, 2009

NXcoupe said:
Anyway, the TFS out of the box is a 175 cc head, cheaper and a better performer in a boosted application imho.

AFR > TFS :bootyshake:

Wedges make good power too... :headbang:

Why do you think the wedges are better with boost over an AFR/Edelbrock etc.

Javi · Dec 8, 2009

they are not. lol

thorco3 · Dec 8, 2009

thanks again, for the continued input and suggestions guys. I really appreciate it.

I wasn't too happy with my initial numbers either... I was expecting more. But the car runs well, and seems pretty quick to me.

Why would you guys recommend the PMAS over the lightning maf?

NXcoupe, I kind of like the idea of leaving the stock cam in there... I've even considered the old "e-cam" thoughts? I was planning on upping the boost while I'm throwing the heads and cam at it though... saves me from doing it later and getting the car tuned all over again.

Keep in mind, my goal is a relatively modest 400 rwhp.

LAFENATU · Dec 8, 2009

thorco3 said:
thanks again, for the continued input and suggestions guys. I really appreciate it.

I wasn't too happy with my initial numbers either... I was expecting more. But the car runs well, and seems pretty quick to me.

Why would you guys recommend the PMAS over the lightning maf?

NXcoupe, I kind of like the idea of leaving the stock cam in there... I've even considered the old "e-cam" thoughts? I was planning on upping the boost while I'm throwing the heads and cam at it though... saves me from doing it later and getting the car tuned all over again.

Keep in mind, my goal is a relatively modest 400 rwhp.

The lightning meter can eventually peg although for 400HP your lightning meter will do just fine. The velocity meter just has a lot more room to grow.

You absolutely leave the stock cam in there if you want. Like NX said...it's not a bad cam at all..it's just based on better vaccum and gas milage.

Keep in mind...power is an addiction. You'll make 400 and love it. Then a year later your gonna want 450 then.....

TRUST ME...you'll want more lol.

thorco3 · Dec 21, 2009

What do you guys think of this... good deal?

"they are the afr 165 heads. i had them totally redone milled, valves, springs evertything by fonse performance! 200 miles on them and now theyre off the car. im asking 900 with the bare head with the valve springs on them so theyll be assembled throw your pushrods in and mount your rockers and your ready to go..... or i can give you my complete set up arp head studs, trickflow hardened pushrods, afr 165 heads of course, 1.6 crane energizer rockers. and i can give you them completely assembled so you can mount them and go. $1300 let me know thanks"

I can actually get them for about 1100. What do you guys think?