I have read a lot of articles on here, but each case is different, and it seems to get the right answer it has to be a case by case basis. So here is my question. I am rebuilding my 302 V8, I need the car to be an everyday driver with the occasional trip to the dragstrip. I have already installed a Weiand Stealth Intake Manifold 8020, Doug Thorley Headers 2681-C, Dual Exhaust, Autolite 4100 4 Barrel Carb. I want something that ABOVE ALL is reliable, and durable, but at the same time I would like to have an engine that can push at least 350-400HP. I was thinking of starting by replacing the heads with 351W. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-6049-n351/overview/ I choose the cast iron because from everything I have read, believe it or not, aluminum doesn't offer much of an advantage if any, and I am afraid of them overheating or warping, like I said I want reliability. However, just using this for every day driving with the occasional dragstrip... would I really have to worry about the aluminum overheating? And it is lighter so better on gas milage right? Some other heads I was trying to compare Edelbrock E-CNC 185 Cylinder Heads 79259 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-79259/overview/make/ford Trick Flow® Twisted Wedge® 170 Cylinder Heads for Small Block Ford http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tfs-51410004-m61 and then I really thought these were interesting, dont know much about AFR tho, and its a little pricey AFR 165cc SBF Renegade 20 Degree Street Heads 1472 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/afr-1472/overview/ Going with this set up, what other parts would be the best combination? Cam, Timing Chain, Head Bolts, Rocker Arms, Lifters, Water Pump??
Here are some cams I was looking at Edelbrock Rollin' Thunder Hydraulic Roller Camshafts 2281 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-2281/reviews/ COMP Cams Xtreme Energy Cam http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-cl35-514-8 Trick Flow® Track Max® Hydraulic Roller Camshafts for Ford 5.0L http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tfs-51403001/overview/ Ford Racing Camshafts M-6250-E303 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-6250-e303/overview/make/ford
Your headers won't fit the Ford "N" heads. They have a wider bolt pattern spacing to facilitate big tube headers. SPark
Honestly, a set of iron gt40 "cobra" heads would be a good choice. and my opinion is the trick flow cam would probably be best suited for that with 1.7 roller rockers. Im not gonna say its the best ever combo because im sure someones gona say it sucks but in my experience it would be a good solid setup. I wouldn't waste your money on 351 either.
this is a bare head...no springs, valves, etc, etc... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-6049-n351/overview/ is your's a roller motor?
To run the N351 head he would have to get new headers with the "N" bolt pattern on them (as I stated earlier). They also take special offset rocker arms. With all the good heads out there, why would you want to run these if you aren't required to by a set of rules? Go aluminum, get something decent and go forward. The "N" head is made for circle track racing in restricted classes. There are hundreds of better heads out there for a hot street car. SPark
And, speaking from personal experience, the Edelbrock cams won't get you where you want to go. That cam's timing events are optimized for a longer stroke 351W, I ran it in a 347 and my 302 for awhile. Bought a Comp cam and never looked back. I wouldn't bother with a Ford alphabet cam, either. The AFR and Trick Flow heads are the best bang for the buck. Every once in awhile Summit, who owns Trick Flow, puts the TW170s on sale for right around $1000. The Edelbrock E-CNCs are nice but overpriced, IMO.
