Hi friends,

I had my 289 completely rebuilt a year ago with small enhancements: long tubes ceramic headers, aluminium intake manifold and a 600cfm carb. In addition to this, I had my C4 replaced by a T5 and I just love it I also had the power steering removed, it can be a pain sometime but I am overall happy without it (better feeling of the road).

After one year I would say that the car is great: driving it gives me a lot of pleasure and it is completely different from what I had when I bought it.

BUT...

... when I found out that switching to aluminium heads would give me about 40hp and reduce the front end weight by 50lb, I could not resist and asked for a quote

My mechanic (the one who rebuilt my engine, Mostly Mustangs in Oakland) told me that he could replace the factory heads by any kind of aftermarket heads (he said that the brand does not matter as they are rougly the same price) for $2,400 all included. He also told me that the swap would only be with the heads, no need to replace anything else.

What do you guys think? I am ok with the quote as I don't do anything myself, I just would like to check with you if replacing the heads only is a good choice. As I said, my goal is to get an engine that pulls stronger (low to mid rpm) and weight a little less!

Thanks a lot!

Here is the car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPsFhVBafgc

 

Most of the time guys will at least throw on a new intake with the new heads. Seeing as you already have those and the 600cfm carb to compliment the package this would make for a good upgrade.

As for $2,400; really just depends, if you are putting some Edlebrocks that's pretty steep, as fully loaded they aren't even $1,500 I believe. If you were going for a really nice set I could see it. Really though for your situation all you need is a set of Edlebrocks to compliment what you already have.

 

2,400 seems pretty high. thats alot of dollars that could be better spent elsewhere, in my opinion.

 

I know this what not your question but did you consider going to lower gear in rearend. With a t5 you can go 3.5s or lower and not sacrifice much at highway speeds and get more off the line umph you sound like you are looking for. Would be cheaper also.

 

Maybe you could get your current heads milled? $900 seems pretty steep to install them. Doesn't seem like it would be too hard to do your self.

 

You can buy new assembled aluminum heads for like $1,100 - $1,200 so where is he getting charging you $2,400? That's nuts. Buy them and find someone else to install them for you.

 

Yep,, Thats pretty steep for installing heads.. You could do it yourself you know.. And it may turn out kinda fun..

 

not to mention if he's telling you "brand name doesnt matter" you shouldn't be letting him touch your car anyways. for all you know he'll be putting some 700.00 pro-comps on there and laugh all the way to the bank.

btw, if you dont already have roller rockers you'd want to add those, and you'd need hardened pushrods if you dont already have those as well.

shady shop is shady