[Kevin b]

I have a 1989 mustang LX Convertable I want to do a head and cam swap on my motor and want some advice. Here are my mods to date.
Suspension u/L udjustable control arms 4:10 gears 70/30 lakewood struts in front and 50/50 in the back. I have full length subframe connecters with a 8 point rollbar the motor has GT40 intake 75mm throttle body with a 70mm mass air and underdrive pullies, I also have long tube headers with X-pipe and magnaflow 3inch mufflers with tail pipes. i also have a cold air intake in fenderwell. So far my car has run the best of a 13.30 even. but here is my delemma I want to either go trick flow twisted wedge heads or edlebrock RPM or airflow research. I was wanting to go with the TSF cam I am not sure of the number but they advertise three in summit it is not the first one but it is the second one but i do not want to loose horse power and actually go slower than I am right now. But I definantly want a Lope and not just when it is cold. Let me know what you think I would really appreciate it.

[95opal]

Any one of the heads you listed w/ a cam matched to your heads and intake will produce some nice hp. If you cant decide on a cam consider a custom. Talk with either Ed Curtis at http://www.flowtechinduction.com/ or Jay Allen at http://www.camshaftinnovations.com/

[Kevin b]

So do you think the TFS stage 2 cam shaft is to big and also can I run the 202 intakes with this cam and not slap my stock pistons. What would be better is if some one could tell me how big I can go with the stock pistons with out any damage from slapping my pistons. Thanks again Kevin B.

[Darrell]

TFS stage 2 cam and a set of Twisted Wedge heads would be my choice. The Twisted Wedge heads are the only heads on the market that will let you get away with a 2.02 intake valve and stock pistons. With that cam and those heads along with your current parts you should have no problem running mid 12s.

[Kevin b]

Thanks for all the help I am going to go with a trick flow cam part # TFS-51402001 and a set of Trick flow Twisted wedge heads. Thanks again
Kevin.

[89StangGT]

noob question, whats the diffrence between the heads with the o-ring groove, and without the o-ring groove?

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by 89StangGT noob question, whats the diffrence between the heads with the o-ring groove, and without the o-ring groove?

The o-ring groove heads have a reciever groove cut around the chambers on the deck of the heads. You need to use a specific head gasket that fits the groove. I've used them in the past but probably never will again. There is no need to have o-ring gaskets. I have more cylinder pressure than a mofo in my motor and don't need o-ring gaskets. I prefer Felpro MLS or Cometic gaskets.

[Kevin b]

A couple more Questions. So do you think I can get away with the stage 2 trick flow cam and the twisted wedge heads? If I do not have to check the valve to piston clearance it would make me really happy! Or what if I went with the stage 1 cam and just ran 1.7 rockers would that work with no problems? Thanks Kevin

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by Kevin b A couple more Questions. So do you think I can get away with the stage 2 trick flow cam and the twisted wedge heads? If I do not have to check the valve to piston clearance it would make me really happy! Or what if I went with the stage 1 cam and just ran 1.7 rockers would that work with no problems? Thanks Kevin

You should always check valve to piston clearance. It is easy to do.

[SALIV8]

Just my .02 cents, but if you have the money, and can wait forever, I'd go with the afr heads. they flow better than any others, just know the setup you're lookin' for.

[Kevin b]

What heads in the AFR would you go with. Remember I am working with stock pistons. thanks

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by saliv8 Just my .02 cents, but if you have the money, and can wait forever, I'd go with the afr heads. they flow better than any others, just know the setup you're lookin' for.

That is a matter of opinion. AFR makes some good heads but saying they flow better than any others is very far fetched.

[SALIV8]

what are u lookin' to end up with? Are you gonna spray? NA? blown? If ur lookin to keep the stock block, it can only handle about 400 horses. If you're thinking about possibly upgrading and getting serious sometime in the future, I would seriously consider going with your bestbet and not waste any money. If you just want a quick street/highway car,go with the middle of the road and save money.

AFR offers custom setups. Figure out what u wanna ed up with, then start deciding how to go. SBF AFR heads are expensive, you can choose cc size, type of porting, upgraded xhaust valves, stock size valves - or longer, straight/angle plug, standard xhaust or spread port. AFRs are more for the racing minded. If you just want quick- the Twisted wedge package may be best. JUST MY OPINION

[SALIV8]

Originally Posted by Darrell Originally Posted by saliv8 Just my .02 cents, but if you have the money, and can wait forever, I'd go with the afr heads. they flow better than any others, just know the setup you're lookin' for. That is a matter of opinion. AFR makes some good heads but saying they flow better than any others is very far fetched.

Go to their site, they have data to prove. that's why they're the best in my opinion

[SALIV8]

I checked AFRs site. The cnc ported twsted wedge heads actually dynoed 5 hp. more than the comparable afr's. I stand corrected

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by saliv8 Go to their site, they have data to prove. that's why they're the best in my opinion

K&N also claims 25hp from an air filter. Do you have any experience with AFR or other heads? If you haven't used AFR and other manufacturer's heads than you really have no basis for comparison. There are many heads that outflow AFR heads by a long shot. As I stated earlier AFR does make a nice head but they are far from the best flowing heads out there.

[SALIV8]

I own afr heads with a custom setup. Their springs and retainers suck but after upgrading that they're sweet. expensive but sweet. I have a big blower so im running 210cc with a custom setup. It's being put together right now. i think all my friends run afr or just about and they flow great.

[SALIV8]

and, when my notch was mainly stock bottom/top end with a bunch of boltons, with a head job- new springs, ported, etc. I raced a gt with twisted wedge heads and won by about 2 leghths. i wasn't impressed.

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by saliv8 and, when my notch was mainly stock bottom/top end with a bunch of boltons, with a head job- new springs, ported, etc. I raced a gt with twisted wedge heads and won by about 2 leghths. i wasn't impressed.

I have Trick Flow heads on my car. Want to race me? That is a bad comparison. I've seen LS1 cars on slicks with nitrous run high 12s. Does that mean the car had bad parts or was a bad car? No, it was most likely bad driving, bad combination or a combination of both. There are alot of good head companies, including AFR. But heads like Victors, Blue Thunders, Brodix Neals and many others flow more air out of the box than any AFR head in ported form. That is the only point I was making. I never once said they were a bad head.

[Tony_90fox]

I am getting the CNC ported TW heads....I think it will be money well spent.