I'm reading that the '86 GT abandoned the previous wedge-type heads in favour of what one site calls "high-swirl, shrouded valve" heads that restricted flow. In '87 they apparently reversed that decision putting E7TE truck heads in to the GT.

My question is, can i buy 1987-93 E7TE heads and stick them on my 86 GT. they seem much more reasonably priced than the aftermarket aluminum heads out there. i know the pistons have to change from the '86 flat-top ones to the '87+ ones, but is there anything else i have to change if i do this switch?

if anyone's done this mod, please let me know what's involved or what site i can go to for more information.

thanks guys

 

Swap the heads.

 

My suggestion is... if your gonna go through the hassle of removing the engine, swapping out pistons for the newer ones in whitch you should redo the cylinder walls and put new rings on, tear down the intake system and install all new gaskets? I would buy the aftermaket heads! you dont have to buy aluminum ones.

 

you could have your existing pistons fly cut with the engine still together

 

What camshaft will you be using? With a stock, or a small aftermarket cam, you will not need to change to 87 style pistons, or flycut your originals. The valves in the E7 heads are no larger, and are in the same position as they are in the E6 heads ... so if they don't hit now, they won't with the E7 heads. If you're going with a decent sized aftermarket cam, then flycutting will be needed.

Give us more info on your intended combo ... help us help you!!


cheers
Ed N.

 

thanks for the info. i will be sticking with stock cam. also, i'm not set on the E7's; it's just one mod i've heard of. others have pointed out to me that the most i'll get out of the E7's though is 150cfm. so is it a lot of bother for not much gain? shoudl i go with gt-40p's instead? or is there something else you guys would recommend. i know it all depends what i want in the end, but i'm not trying to build a race car here; just trying to get some good street performance by fixing/replacing some of the more serious weaknesses in the 86, like the crappy heads they put in that year.

thanks again guys

 

Ported E7 heads will do nicely, the P heads work a bit better than those when ported ... but then you're in to buying specific headers for the P heads, because of the revised spark plug location. If you have to buy headers anyway, not such a big deal, but if you already have them, oh well.


cheers
Ed N.

 

I agree with Ed, if you want to change to E7s, fly-cutting is not required. A good set of ported E7s can make good power, but it seems like a lot of work for a small gain, if it was me, I'd get some GT-40 (not P) heads and use them, they will make better power and are still prettey easy to find reasonably priced. Just keep your eyes peeled and you'll find what you need.

 

If you are not changing size of valve don`t bother with e7s the 86 head with heart shaped chamber is a great street head port exhaust side clean up intake.I did a set and they make 30 ftlbs more than my e7 did on dyno help with smaller combustion chamber.And yes my e7 where done pretty much the small way.