Ford GT40 X2 cylinder heads

[wht88cpe]

Well I sort of had an idea on where I was likely going with some "basic" mods to my bone stock 1994 Cobra, but what I read today changed my thinking. I had pretty much settled on the AFR 165 heads with a Tmoss ported lower stock Cobra intake and running stock camshaft. Now I read the stud mount rockers on the AFR's would require different taller valve covers which in turn would result in having to modify the alternator mounting.

I don't want to go there, and I want it to look fairly original. I don't need or plan on a drag car for the street. I hate to even bother with any of this but this Cobra definitely needs something. In the end 300whp, maybe 275 would work fine for me. But no nitrous "shots" or power adders, I want it N/A.

Just today I see these Ford GT40 X2 (note the XTWO). A newer version of the X - I assume. How long have they been around? I can find tons of info on the GT40's from cast iron to aluminum turbo swirl and Trick Flow and AFR and .... But what's up with the X2? I could re-use my stock 1.7 RR's and pushrods. They're about AFR territory money wise. If they could get me close to where I need to end up with less hassle I'd be better off I think. I won't be doing the work mind you, my days for that are long over. Somebody else needs to do it for me, someone who knows what they're doing.

Car has 62K mi. It's super clean. Has a minor drip from the oil cooler- I have a new O-ring for that. I still hate the 3.35 1st (why, why, why) but the 3.08 rear makes it more tolerable. I'm trying to say I like the car. But if it has the Cobra snake badge on it well then it should be able to make it into the 13's and have total reliable street manners without needing a $500 dyno tune (is that what they really cost?) every time you sneeze. Sorry, but I got by with carbs just fine back in the day with no "tuning" issues on some really fast cars. What's up with that ...

Whoa, off course. Anyway, M-6049-X2 is the part number I'm referring to. On a couple of sites it references fitting only certain Boss blocks, I think this is an error. Thanks,

Jeff

[Donstang86]

Its interesting when you hear someone talk in "Push-rodese". Now everything today either Modular or Coyote. The AFR 165 is the ticket for max horse power. If you have a street 302/351 using a GT40 intake, I would think the GT40X heads would be good. Not sure what the X2s are but for a street Mustang they should be great, I have a pair to GT40 Aluminum "Gates" heads that I picked up a few years ago, that will be used on my 86 GT. Compared to the GT40X2s I am sure that they are not as good but for my application, they should be fine. So I think your choice for a street 302 is good.

[wht88cpe]

Its interesting when you hear someone talk in "Push-rodese". Now everything today either Modular or Coyote. The AFR 165 is the ticket for max horse power. If you have a street 302/351 using a GT40 intake, I would think the GT40X heads would be good. Not sure what the X2s are but for a street Mustang they should be great, I have a pair to GT40 Aluminum "Gates" heads that I picked up a few years ago, that will be used on my 86 GT. Compared to the GT40X2s I am sure that they are not as good but for my application, they should be fine. So I think your choice for a street 302 is good.

Thanks Donstang. Didn't I read somewhere that for the 86 you need to flycut (or change) the pistons for valve clearance? But I'm far from being any expert, so ... I went back and looked at that article about the X2 head swap, was written late 2018- missed that the first time thru. So maybe they're newer to the market and that's why I'm not finding much. I'm in no hurry, I'll dig further. Would like the car to breathe better than it does. I'm coming to the conclusion the 94-95 cars are the red headed step-children with regards to "programming the processing". Well for a once again novice that is. In the end I may leave it well enough alone.

[yeahloh95]

I have afr 165s on my 95 and with the right cam the tuning needed is not much , and while you are in there I wouldn't go that far and not put a cam in , I had a gt40x headed combo in my 93 it ran well ,but I feel the afr's are a better head. don't let the valve cover issue keep you from those heads that is an easy fix .

[turbo83coupe]

I have AFR185s on my 86. Great heads.

[turbo83coupe]

If i had to do over again, or next time i do buy heads, i will be getting the trickflow 11R heads. The 190s would be nice to replace what i have with...

[wht88cpe]

Thanks guys. I had already been leaning to the AFR's, but here's the article that finally cinched it for me to go that way- https://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2003/06/afrinstall/index.php Looks like this was written June of 03, so it's old. Note they stayed with the OEM cam but had to change the pushrods and RR's. And I understand it isn't the only mod they did. They did not mention new valve covers or alternator relocation though- maybe because it was a 93 Cobra .. Picked up substantial HP and torque.

Then yesterday I saw this- http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/engine/1809-ford-x2-heads-and-holley-systemax-intake-install/ Now it's a simpler install using the OEM 1.7 Crane RR's, pushrods, and valve covers- and no alternator issues. This is why I'm asking about the X2 heads. New on the scene? Article was written Sept 2018 using a 1995 GT car. To note- The Cobra uses 24 pound injectors but 19 pound MAF sensor with processor doing the "conversion".

If I do this, what might be the local market $$ for used 1994 cast iron OEM Cobra GT40 heads with 62K mi?

[somethingclever]

Probably 250 big ones.

[Pure Stock]

That car doesn’t need heads to run a 13. Exhaust, gears and a drag radial and someone who can drive a manual will net mid 13’s

[Pure Stock]

I have afr 165s on my 95 and with the right cam the tuning needed is not much , and while you are in there I wouldn't go that far and not put a cam in , I had a gt40x headed combo in my 93 it ran well ,but I feel the afr's are a better head. don't let the valve cover issue keep you from those heads that is an easy fix .

Words of wisdom.

[wht88cpe]

Pure stock- Thanks for the post. We already discussed this at length over on Corral- plus I took Troy's advice to heart. I'm going with the AFR 1472. Gears are out with the 3.35 1st. It's tolerable with the 3.08 and I want to stay with the OEM 8" wheels. Car is for street only. Last time I was at the strip was 1986 with my tweaked 1970 L78 Chevelle. Can't remember now whether it had the M21 or M22. Just want the Cobra to breathe better than it does. If there's at least 10 HP in an off road H then I'm willing to do that too.

Learned to drive on a 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook- 3 on the tree. I can probably handle the manual.

[Dan B.]

Learned to drive on a 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook- 3 on the tree. I can probably handle the manual.

Not sure he was doubting that you can drive a manual well. But....someone that can efficiently launch the car and shift gears in anger to hustle down the 1320 is different. That takes time and LOTS of passes to accomplish.

[wht88cpe]

Not sure he was doubting that you can drive a manual well. But....someone that can efficiently launch the car and shift gears in anger to hustle down the 1320 is different. That takes time and LOTS of passes to accomplish.

No, I didn't take it that way at all. In fact that day in 85 or 86 at Keystone I had a really hard time getting any grip at all with hard Goodyear Eagle ST's. Difficult- and that was with a 2.20 1st into 4.10. I can appreciate the practice it would take to get it right for competition purposes- especially with a 3.35 into 3.73.

But the Cobra will never see the strip, and I'm not looking for any street racing. I should have said it needs the capability to run high 12's low 13's. I don't even hammer 2nd gear- or any gear, never dumped it in 1st. It's purely for my own satisfaction that the engine responds the way I want it to from a roll at 20 or 50 mph- or any speed. I know it has way more in it, just needs to breather better. Needs to talk to me. Maybe it's the smog, maybe it's the programming. Or maybe it's me. 9:1 compression could be the root cause of what I feel is missing, but 104 octane 260 Sunoco isn't around anymore for 29 cents a gallon. Looks like the AFR 165's should pick up half a point.

[yeahloh95]

you are headed in the right direction but don't fear the gear that car will love 4.10s and will still cruise nice in 5th

[wht88cpe]

you are headed in the right direction but don't fear the gear that car will love 4.10s and will still cruise nice in 5th

I do fear the gear, 1st gear. Not user friendly (for me). Soccer moms and dads drive around with their nose up your rear bumper. A 2.20 1st with 26" tire into 4.10 at 3500 rpm gets you 30mph; the 3.35 ... 20mph. In 2nd and beyond, yeah give me the 4.10. But I live in the heart of North Hills, it's stop sign to stop sign and red light to red light.

So it's a different trans or stay with 3.08. That white 88 coupe I had was with 4.10. That's a 13.7:1 overall ratio in 1st. Way too steep. If I had my choice it would be 9:1 or so OA. I don't wish this on anyone else!

[86GT]

Here’ one of my snarky posts to derail this post:
Some things I think I think, didn’t the 94 cobra
come with the “world class” T-5 ? That has a 2.95
first gear. It seems to me that the lower your first
gear & rear end ratio is, the easier it is to launch.
You can leave at a higher rpm with the same rear
wheel speed. When road speed & wheel speed match,
you’re good to go. (for the most part at Keystone)
Second, I think the 165’s are pretty small. I’d go with
something bigger plus a cam if you are doing heads.

[wht88cpe]

The 93 Cobra had the 2.95, 94-95 had the 3.35. Since I'm not at the dragstrip a higher 1st would work better for me. Car is strictly street, me against me. A 2.95 wouldn't be worth the cost and effort. I completely understand the need/want for the lower first at the strip- as long as suspension and tire can put it down. At least with the SN95 and newer cars you can put a lot of tire back there.

I'm already on the cam trail. We'll see. As far as the heads go I'm sticking with the 165's for a 302. I would think the 185's would work better for a 347? But I only know what I read, and lots of differing opinions and misinformation on that subject.

[yeahloh95]

185s wont fit with a stock short block, look at some of the Anderson cams there is one in there that should work for you

[excell]

look at some of the Anderson cams there is one in there that should work for you

Seconded. I've got an N41 in my 347 with TW 170's and a TF Track Heat - it's a screamer. Give them a call, they'll help get you sorted out.

[PaxtonShelby]

Seconded. I've got an N41 in my 347 with TW 170's and a TF Track Heat - it's a screamer. Give them a call, they'll help get you sorted out.


Exactly. My 94 Cobra also had a 347 stroker with the Anderson cam and TF intake. Mine had AFR 185 heads. She put 388 to the wheels and was a hoot to drive.

[wht88cpe]

Thanks guys. I had it down to Anderson or Lunati based on this older article- http://www.mustangandfords.com/parts/m5lp-0212-right-camshaft-ford-mustang.

[Viper_ed]

N 41

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