Aluminum Head Suggestions for 408W Stroker

[addicted]

I am planning on a set of RHS iron on my 302. Did some checking and you can have them port as well, much more affordable over aluminum. But that could all change tomorrow if the exploder I am stripping the serp off of has GT40 heads.....

I was looking at RHS and Iron Eagle heads. I've heard good things about both.

 

[englewoodcowboy]

I did as well, just trying to put my rig together as cost wise as possible. Aluminum heads like the AFR's or Trick Flow etc sure look pretty and yes they can provide GOBS of power but most I have seen are power gains needing to stay in the upper rpm range and that is not what I am intending on either. I am certain the RHS heads I looked at are better than the GT40 heads but the GT40's are a lot better than my stock HO heads, and if I salvage them they will cost a lot less. If the exploder has the GT40P heads, they will go through the shreader with the rest of the vehicle tomorrow when I am done.

 

[Nightstick]

... If the exploder has the GT40P heads, they will go through the shreader with the rest of the vehicle tomorrow when I am done.

Many people will argue that the P heads are better than the regular GT40s. A lot of people don't use them because of header figment issues but I'm almost certain the BCB headers will fit them. I'd take em and sell if I not use them.

 

[reynard101]

Thanks for the responses. I'm going 408 because it's been fairly proven. I don't know much about 418 or bigger. I've seen some videos of the 427 stroker bronco on you tube (awesome!).

I'm still leaning towards AFR 185s. And I am taking this build as a system type build for a "truck" motor that will be used mostly at just off idle to 3000 RPM. It will occasionally see 6k but not often. So cam selection is going to be important too.

 

[reynard101]

I have a set of iron GT40P heads too. I just figured by the time I put all the work into them to recondition them to as new I'm about half way to new heads. Not to mention the header fitment issues with GT40Ps (angled spark plug).

 

[englewoodcowboy]

GT40P heads the plug comes out straight which leads to the header fitment issues, most will fit but it will burn the wires on #4 or #6 cant remember which. BCB headers have been mentioned to fit and clear but I have not seen any proof of it yet. I am just playingthe money game with mine, 600 reconditioned vs 1300 or more new.... thats a brake system upgrade etc. in price savings. I was dead set on going with an NV3550 swap on my rig but then my donor car happened to have a very fresh Lincoln AOD so for me to go from spending 2500+ to now somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 or so to get OD it is worth the savings. Just a thought.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

The AFR 185's will be a fine head for the 408.

Now , for a cam ..... what kind of block is it ? Newer roller style or older flat tappet?

 

[barronj]

afr 205's here

who made your headers?

 

[reynard101]

The AFR 185's will be a fine head for the 408.

Now , for a cam ..... what kind of block is it ? Newer roller style or older flat tappet?

It's a newer roller style. A cam guys over on Nor Cal Broncs have had good success with clicky, while using EFI too. I'll go with something similar but for 351. Any suggestions?

 

[reynard101]

GT40P heads the plug comes out straight which leads to the header fitment issues, most will fit but it will burn the wires on #4 or #6 cant remember which. BCB headers have been mentioned to fit and clear but I have not seen any proof of it yet.

That's right, spark plug comes straight out.

 

[Bronco_69]

185's will be good and you will be glad that you went with them over the TW 170's. the afr 205's would be fine too though. remember this is a 408 and not a 302. you will have more torque then you can use

 

[HoosierDaddy]

The xe258 , I've been looking at that same cam. !!
Ran it on Comp cams "Camquest" and that cam was a "best fit" suggestion for a high torque application for 302 , 351 & "good fit" for a 408.
I would bump up a cam or two for a 408 though. The XE258 is just a step up from the stock hydo roller in the 351 Broncos.
Camquest suggests the following for a 408 , high torque app. , in order :
266HR
XE264HR
NX264HR
XE258HR
270HR
XE266HR
XE270HR
281HR
276HR

You might be able to get a comparo page at summit.

You would be well served to give Comp cams a call also. Thats probably the best move right there.

 

[coby]

Come talk to me. 423ci stroker with trick flow heads, ported and flowed. Custom cam. Motor that big requires things that most folks don't recommend.