Best aluminum heads for an 86 GTim redoing I'm

[dads86gt]

I'm redoing my engine in the spring. The car is going to have the bottom end redone to a 306 done .30 over. I just bought a GT40 tubular Intake I have mass air and 24 lbs injectors and will be using the B Cam that's in the car now. Just need advice on which heads to go with I was thinking thinking about the GT40x heads or arp or twisted wedge. Thanks Jim

[brianj]

AFR or Twisted Wedge. Both have good points, and either is a good choice. The Gtxx heads are decent, but the others are better for the money. If you are redoing the lower end on an '86, make sure the replacement pistons are NOT the '86 specific pistons with no reliefs. On that note, you will want to make a head decision before you do the lower end anyhow. If you go AFR heads, the 185's would be a good choice if you get pistons with the appropriate releifs.

[dads86gt]

Thanks that's a big help I will talk to the guy doing my bottom end to match the heads to the bottom end

[mcfairmont]

Personally I think the AFR 185s may be a bit big, unless you are planning more serious modifications in the future. I really like my AFR 185s on my 331, it runs 10.2 ETs in the 1/4 mile,in my Fairmont, but for a mild 306, in a street car, I think the 165s would be a better choice. My 185s use stud rocker arms, not sure if the 165s do as well, or the pedestal setup.

[brianj]

The 185 vs 165 debate has gone on for a while. From everything i can find, on actual dyno checked results, the 185's are just a touch better on the low end on a stock 302, and take off after 5k rpm or so. Basically, they hurt nothing on the low end, and leave room to grow. Honestly, I'm sold on the TFS 190 11R heads myself, and on a mild 302 I'd go with the TFS 170 track heats. As far as the pedestal / stud mount rockers, afr comes in either, while TFS comes stud only. If you go tfs, plan on another $300 or so for stud mount rockers. One of the down sides of the tfs stuff.

[misterdavedm.dm]

Afr

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[dads86gt]

Thanks guys for all the great advice. It's going to help a lot in making my decision

[Haystack]

Trickflows will clear the 86 pistons with a good sized cam.

[Walking-Tall]

Trickflows will clear the 86 pistons with a good sized cam.

Yep, the '86 pistons certainly will clear, by miles, being in the scrap bin at the machine shop where the OP is having his 302 bored Ø0.030"-over, with replacement pistons that (I would hope) have valve reliefs. Clearance, no issue.

AFR 185. 185cc intake runner volumes will work tremendously on a 306. If you're spending the money, bothering with less is a waste of time and money.

[Haystack]

Or he could get the afr185's and have to hog a giant hole out of a stock style piston, run lower compression, smaller cam, and spend more at the machine shop. Doesnt make a difference to me. Guy on another car forum I frequent had to add to the valve reliefs to clear an "e" cam. 185's dont even clear most stock replacement pistions due to the larger valve.

[erratic50]

Honestly there are a LOT of better cams than any of the letter cams, don't waste your money. Also Explorer intakes only pull to 5800 due to their design. Sell it and get something suited to 6500 or 7000.

Bear at in mind a 230 CFM intake runner can supply a 302 all the way to 8700 RPM. At some point it starts becoming a feet per second game on the Pistons and rings but it's a huge waste to put great heads on a motor then choke it up top where the power is and the party screams excitement.

A stock E6 or E7 head with stock cam and 1.7:1 rockers flow enough air to spin a 302 to 6250 with the right intake.

Also unless you are bumping up fuel pressure 24's will be leaving power on the table.

An AFR 185 head on a 302 with a stock HO can and 1.7:1's has been shown many times to make just a touch over 400 HP at 6000 if everything is done right.

i am not proposing spending more, spendi it wisely.

[srad2drag]

Twisted wedge heads are a no brainer for 86 specific pistons.

[Supersonic G.T.350]

I like the twisted wedge heads in general. They're a good cylinder head of the box and offer quite allot in ported form. Another plus is they aren't any trouble to sell if you ever need to get rid of em because things are tight. If I were personally buying a new set of heads they'd be the 11R's. They actually straighten the valve up even more so "should" also increase piston to valve clearance even more. Having said that, every engine is a bit different and clearances should be checked no matter what any of us say.

[dads86gt]

Thank you for your help it's very much appreciated