Choosing heads for my 5.0

i got a 5.0 with mild cam and col air intake headers full exaust coul pack and a fuel pressure regulator i need performance heads and i dont know what to choose but i need them to be able to handle up to 500+ horses but still not be to much for my current setup as of now and be able to run on pump gas oh andf i want a intake manifold to upper and lower setup 50 state legal

Alum GT40-X's, AFR 165 or 185's, or Edelbrock Performer RPM's would do it. The AFR 185's would probably be your best bet for 500HP down the road; maybe 205's but I dunno how well that'd work for the interim.

i have the AFR 185's and love em. i'm probably around 400 flywheel hp, and theres definatly room to grow.

couldent i just get gt40p's there the same flow as the 40 x's but a little heavier and cheaper i dont really neeed to shave the wieght wouldent that be just as good and the afr 185's arnt those expensive as hell?

The GT40p heads work fine for a mild upgrade from your stock heads, just make sure to put quality springs, Retainers and locks, Machine the guides for clearance and get a good performance valve job. You are NOT going to Get 500hp out of them Normaly aspirated.

Also consider a cam change Something in the Comp Cams EX Hydraulc roller line is a good start.

Honestly if a set of 185 AFR's a "Expensive as Hell" to you, You may want to stay on the porch.......... you ain't gettin a real and reliable N/A 500 hp for a few hundred dollars.......

You really, really, really must know what your doing to get 500 HP and 50 state legal on a 302.

Not knowing what heads you should get tells me you need some 302 experiance first. Is this your first build?

B.T.W., getting a 5.0 to deliver 500 HP to the road will take many big $$$$ to upgrade the traction system. Just to purchase a 5 speed that does not granade with that power is very expensive.

Nice dream to have though...(wink)

PS: 500 HP on a 302 will most likely split the block in half.

Originally Posted by Mikes66

500 HP on a 302 will most likely split the block in half.

Ahhhh, you beat me to it... It'd be better for you to atleast start with a 1969 351W block, and do a 351W swap...or get a Dart, new Boss, etc. block, because you wouldn't want to put that much money into a stock 302 block, making that power level, and just split it in half...it does happen...it'd be a ticking time bomb. I'd upgrade the block first off if I were you.

It'd be more reasonable to make 400hp out of a 302, and still be relatively safe. Also, I'd agree with the above, you'll need traction, structural rigidity of the unibody, and one stout transmission to live behind any power level over "basic bolt-on"

N/A they usually live, its the NO2 and boost that kill them.

well moneys not actually a problem i just thought might want to save a little theres nothin wrong with not wasting money but really i think 400-450 sound like a better goal but i have already thought about traction and the tranny and have those ready to go. but i want to keep the block mabye bore it out to 347? but im looking for 400+ and then mabye ill go boosted turbo setup

400-450 with a decent 347 isn't real hard, You'll need to chose parts carfully if you intend to do something with a turbo later.

Ford Racing has a nice Z304 Crate 347 @ 450 hp........