[MustangSallee]

I picked up a set of E7's for dirt cheap, nothing wrong with them. They are off of an 87 and the guy just wanted to put of some twisted wedges, claims they worked well without issue. I am going to take them to my local head shop and have the tested and probably rebuilt and I was wondering if I should have the ported while I was at it [I have know idea what it will cost either...]. I have heard/read good things about ported E7s but have no knowledge of pricing of getting it done.

[Bullitt95]

I ported my own E7's and the result was a big improvement in performance compared to when they were unported. I used the site diyPorting.com as a guide. I also ported my upper/lower intake at the same time.

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by MustangSallee I picked up a set of E7's for dirt cheap, nothing wrong with them. They are off of an 87 and the guy just wanted to put of some twisted wedges, claims they worked well without issue. I am going to take them to my local head shop and have the tested and probably rebuilt and I was wondering if I should have the ported while I was at it [I have know idea what it will cost either...]. I have heard/read good things about ported E7s but have no knowledge of pricing of getting it done.

Porting E7s is a waste of time and the gains are minimal. You would be better off getting a set of GT40P heads and bolting them on.

Porting is also a skill, not just the act of grinding on ports. If the person porting doesn't have a long history of experience under his belt, chances are the porting job is going to be less than spectacular. It is alot easier to destroy a port and kill horsepower than it is to make a port flow better and make horsepower.

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by Bullitt95 I ported my own E7's and the result was a big improvement in performance compared to when they were unported. I used the site diyPorting.com as a guide. I also ported my upper/lower intake at the same time.

I guess big improvement is a relative term depending on what you consider big.

[95opal]

I have to second what darrell has said. With so many gt40p heads available and the low cost, its just not practical to waste the time or money on e7s.

Now if this was back in 87-88 then I could see the reasoning behind using the e7s, but that was back in the day when there wasnt to many options available.

[95StangMX]

I will third that .........hope when you say dirt cheap you mean free....I would not waste the money on doing anything to them ....I have 2 sets here that are just collecting dust...big is what you make of it....write that down....

[95StangMX]

Originally Posted by Darrell I guess big improvement is a relative term depending on what you consider big.

[Bullitt95]

Originally Posted by Darrell I guess big improvement is a relative term depending on what you consider big.

Big enough to be noticeable by the SOTP across the whole rpm range, with a 0.32sec drop in 1/4 mile ET and a 1.2mph higher trap speed.
I wouldn't normally recommend porting the E7s 'cause there's a plethora of cheapish aftermarket heads that'll produce better results, but I had mine off last year to replace a blown head gasket (brand new stock thermostat stuck closed ) so I took the opportunity to port both heads and the intake. I'd done a home porting job on 4 other heads previously so I knew what to do.

[MustangSallee]

They are 1987 E7s with the 54 combustion chamber so I have been told, haven't verified yet. I think with intake the head port matching and some strong hardware in there they should do OK. I need to replace mine anyway and don't have allot of cash; hardly any money at all in these right now and I know a guy that will port/match/mill/whatever I need him to at cost and very little labor. I want to make a 145000 mile motor last a little longer to move up to my 351W soon, and rebuild the bottom end of the 302 [making it basically a new motor] to put into another SN95 shell I have [old v-6]. Thanks for all the posts and keep'em comin...

[MustangSallee]

Originally Posted by 95StangMX I will third that .........hope when you say dirt cheap you mean free....I would not waste the money on doing anything to them ....I have 2 sets here that are just collecting dust...big is what you make of it....write that down....

$20. They are in better [far better] shape than my current ones. I am like the 11-12 owner of this car and none of the previous ones really maintained or took car of it. Plus it came from the north so probably seen a pretty hard life, andy thing will help her out. Not looking for a HP gain much at all atm, just better running.

[e3sean]

dont waste your time... save yor money and time and get a real set of heads.

[MustangSallee]

Well, I am saving for a set of AFR's but they will be for my 351W project. I am just trying to get a better running head, without spending allot on them, mine need rebuilding anyway the seals on the valves are leaking a bit...Thanks for all advice and please keep'em comin

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by Bullitt95 Big enough to be noticeable by the SOTP across the whole rpm range, with a 0.32sec drop in 1/4 mile ET and a 1.2mph higher trap speed. I wouldn't normally recommend porting the E7s 'cause there's a plethora of cheapish aftermarket heads that'll produce better results, but I had mine off last year to replace a blown head gasket (brand new stock thermostat stuck closed ) so I took the opportunity to port both heads and the intake. I'd done a home porting job on 4 other heads previously so I knew what to do.

3 tenths isn't a good trade off for the time and money invested. You could pick up 3 tenths easier and cheaper somewhere else. A set of P heads will net better results, just for example. If you are happy with those results, by all means, good for you.

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by MustangSallee Well, I am saving for a set of AFR's but they will be for my 351W project. I am just trying to get a better running head, without spending allot on them, mine need rebuilding anyway the seals on the valves are leaking a bit...Thanks for all advice and please keep'em comin

What is wrong with the heads on your engine now?

[WildWill]

I just went through a cylinder head swap (I put on GT40p's) and let me tell you... its not worth all that work to put stock heads back on it. Granted, I had never done any sort of engine work before, but there is sooo much time that needs to be invested to get it all done right you better be bolting on at least some decent heads. If you dont want to front the money to get a set of GT40p's, then just leave the stockers on there. I don't see that anything would be wrong with your current heads unless you have other problems like burning oil or coolant or something. Seriously though man, otherwise its simply not worth all the work.

[Bullitt95]

Originally Posted by Darrell 3 tenths isn't a good trade off for the time and money invested. You could pick up 3 tenths easier and cheaper somewhere else. A set of P heads will net better results, just for example. If you are happy with those results, by all means, good for you.

Like I said, I had a blown head gasket so the heads/intake had to come off anyway so I thought why not port them and gain a few ponies from my misfortune? I already had the Standard Abrasives DIY porting kit so the only extra cost was my time plus $18 to buy some more porting stones. Since I probably gained at least 20hp, it cost me less than $1 per HP so I don't think I could have gotten cheaper HP than that anywhere. I'm still considering a pair of pedestal-mount AFR 165's for the future though.

[MustangSallee]

Originally Posted by WildWill I just went through a cylinder head swap (I put on GT40p's) and let me tell you... its not worth all that work to put stock heads back on it. Granted, I had never done any sort of engine work before, but there is sooo much time that needs to be invested to get it all done right you better be bolting on at least some decent heads. If you dont want to front the money to get a set of GT40p's, then just leave the stockers on there. I don't see that anything would be wrong with your current heads unless you have other problems like burning oil or coolant or something. Seriously though man, otherwise its simply not worth all the work.

I am an experienced mechanic and have now problems with swapping out heads...and will be taking off to port my intake or get a new one this winter anyway. And I DO NOT like gt-40[x-p-or any others] I think they are a waste of money...unless you get'em free.

Originally Posted by Darrell What is wrong with the heads on your engine now?

Valve seals are leaking, and the have 145000+ miles on them, lifters need repleacing, goin' to do push rods, and rockers prob. too. I am swapping this motor into another car later and will probably put one the newly built heads, and do some bottom end work while I have it out too.

Thanks for all the input guys, and for those convinced that I am wasting my time; some of us don't have all the cash in the world; aren't looking for advice on how to get the most HP or build a drag car; some of us like power and still being able to get 25 mpg.

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by MustangSallee Thanks for all the input guys, and for those convinced that I am wasting my time; some of us don't have all the cash in the world; aren't looking for advice on how to get the most HP or build a drag car; some of us like power and still being able to get 25 mpg.

It has nothing to do with building a drag car, it has to do with cost and efficiency. Stock P heads will make more power than ported E7s. P heads can be had for $200 or less. You will have several hours wrapped up in porting your E7 heads. The heads will be inefficient and you will be wasting your time unless you are so ungodly wealthy that you no longer know what to do with your time. That is not an opinion. E7 heads are inefficient heads even in the hands of the best head porter. Its your car, do what you want. If it was mine, I'd leave the ports untouched and stick that time and money into something that will make a difference.

As far as your fuel economy comment goes, I'm not sure where you are going with that but you can make horsepower and get good gas mileage. My supercharged daily driver makes well over 500hp to the tire and gets damn near 25mpg. Welcome to the wonderful world of EFI.

[Sleeper_Stang_89]

Originally Posted by Darrell It has nothing to do with building a drag car, it has to do with cost and efficiency. Stock P heads will make more power than ported E7s. P heads can be had for $200 or less. You will have several hours wrapped up in porting your E7 heads. The heads will be inefficient and you will be wasting your time unless you are so ungodly wealthy that you no longer know what to do with your time. That is not an opinion. E7 heads are inefficient heads even in the hands of the best head porter. Its your car, do what you want. If it was mine, I'd leave the ports untouched and stick that time and money into something that will make a difference. As far as your fuel economy comment goes, I'm not sure where you are going with that but you can make horsepower and get good gas mileage. My supercharged daily driver makes well over 500hp to the tire and gets damn near 25mpg. Welcome to the wonderful world of EFI.

amen... There is a guy at my local track running ported E7'S... he has a ton of time and a good bit of money in his car... he has to spray the piss out of it to go 12.80...this is a full race car... he won an episode of pinks the second season I believe... Your car, do what you want, but ....

[WildWill]

Originally Posted by Darrell It has nothing to do with building a drag car, it has to do with cost and efficiency. Stock P heads will make more power than ported E7s. P heads can be had for $200 or less. You will have several hours wrapped up in porting your E7 heads. The heads will be inefficient and you will be wasting your time unless you are so ungodly wealthy that you no longer know what to do with your time. That is not an opinion. E7 heads are inefficient heads even in the hands of the best head porter. Its your car, do what you want. If it was mine, I'd leave the ports untouched and stick that time and money into something that will make a difference. As far as your fuel economy comment goes, I'm not sure where you are going with that but you can make horsepower and get good gas mileage. My supercharged daily driver makes well over 500hp to the tire and gets damn near 25mpg. Welcome to the wonderful world of EFI.

amen.... twice. lol