Best budget heads for f/i

[rob10s2]

what are the best budget heads for a vortech? looking to spend $1000 on both heads and install, if possible. open to all suggestions.

 

[Paul]

Install alone will probably chew up most of that.

 

[rob10s2]

damn. well whats average install price. ill be going to anderson ford id imagine they are more expensive.

 

[94 DropTop]

no doubt, Plan at 400 ish for some gt40's then about 100-200 for gaskets and other parts and if your having it installed about another 800+, you have to think labor is 100+ an hour now.

 

[rob10s2]

i guess that brings the question... how hard is a head install?

 

[Paul]

If you're not at least a moderate-level weekend warrior mechanic, it's not easy.

On a scale of 1-10 in difficulty, with 10 being something like building a complete motor or trans from scratch, and 1 being changing your oil, I'd put it around a 7 or 8.

Paul.

 

[rob10s2]

hmm, well i wouldnt consider myself a moderate level mechanic. ive changed tps sensors, plugs and wires, crank pullys, and simple things like that on a 93 probe gt. but there are 5.0 guys around here that might be able to give me a hand.

 

[Paul]

With a couple of capable friends, tools, and a weekend, you should be able to pull it off. I'd make SURE your friends actually know what they're doing though.

 

[rob10s2]

cool, yeah one of my older buddies definitely knows his stuff, hes done heads quite a few times on a few foxes.

 

[LAFENATU]

A supercharger install is actually probably easier than a head swap in my opinion.

Especially a new vortech V-3 kit is even easier now that you don't have to tap the pan.

As far as budget heads GT40 heads are the best...

.02

 

[rob10s2]

will the gt40's put me in the low-mid 12's with 9 psi, 3:73's, M/T DR's, etc? is porting worth it?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

If you can't run low to mid 12's with stock heads and a Vortech, you need to work on your suspension until you can.

 

[rob10s2]

right now, im only at 6 pounds and stock gears. i have lca's, subframes, and pathetic tires. i plan on h&r springs, agx shocks/struts, m/t dr's and 3:73's

 

[Jrgunn5150]

H&R springs and AGX struts ain't gonna help. Sound's to me like you need a project plan.

 

[rob10s2]

hey, you know better than i do. got any suggestions?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

What are you trying to do? Run a number at the track and have a nice cruiser? Or a decent handler? Or a combination?


If you want to do it all, it triples the budget nearly. I barely ran 11's with 500 rwhp, because I had a road type suspension, low profile 18's, a power sucking T56. If all I wanted to do was cruise about and be able to get local bragging rights for being in the 11's, I could have done it for way less money, you follow me?

 

[rob10s2]

i got you. not much in the area or autox or.... well... racing with turns around here, so a drag-type suspension is what im looking for, i guess. its not a daily driver, but it is a street car. i would like to improve handling at the same time if possible.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

It's a choice man, lol. Strip or handling. If you chose handling, you have to add power, and that's the most expensive thing to add.

Adjustable strut's would help a ton, as well as some less aggressive springs than the H&R's, those things are stiff.

 

[iamdat]

If you can't run low to mid 12's with stock heads and a Vortech, you need to work on your suspension until you can.

i ran 12.2's on stock suspension with steeda sport springs and a vortech at 8lbs. looking for 11's tommorow night!

 

[rob10s2]

of course, i could just skip the heads and up the boost. how much punishment (psi) can i safely run on a hyper piston 5.0? ive heard many many numbers.