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Author
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Topic: Blue Thunder 429/460 heads
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 1501
From: Stanton, Michigan 49707
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 12-30-2000 11:42 AM
   
Hello racers 
Does anyone have an opinion on whether the BT heads are worth their extra co$t when compared to the Edelbrock, TFS or FRPP 429/460 clyinder heads?  If the BT design, fitment is better or they flow better 'out of the box' then the extra initial co$t may be justified in the end, right? I'm also confused with the fact that BT only offers a dual-plane intake which leads me to believe that their heads either (a) don't flow THAT good (to require a single-plane intake) or (b) the intake wasn't designed to match the flow of their cylinder heads What I'm looking for is a power range somewhere between 3K-7.5K rpms... Thanks for any input racers, Ryan ------------------
The '3-Pedal Attitude' Kid
in a '69 FB w/ 306 now, but
the 460+ is coming... :D
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19704
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-31-2000 06:11 PM
Ryan, the BT heads ARE very good right out of the box. They are even better than some others that have been ported. They are developing a single plane intake and it should be ready by spring. The dual plane market is larger and hence forth the initial introduction of it. They are a very small company. Alex------------------
Alex Denysenko Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member
Fleet of FoMoCo products
Moneymaker Bio
US Class Nationals link
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jkilroy
Gearhead Posts: 1719
From: Vicksburg, MS
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 12-31-2000 07:35 PM
In doing all of my research for my pending big block build I have talked with a lot of people. If they didn't use BT heads the first time almost to the man they all said something like "If I was doing it all again I would use the Blue Thunder Heads"As far as price goes the BT heads are more than the Edelbrocks, about the same or a little less than the CJ's and much cheaper then the 460A's (IF you could find a set, which I have seen for $3000 used) And concerning flow, in worst to best order it would be Edelbrock, CJ, Blue Thunder, TFS 460A's. The BT's will take a 1.88 (BBC Style) exhaust valve, unlike the CJ's. The 460A's really shouldn't be in this group when you consider the 2.45 intake you can cram in there, much higher intake and exhaust ports. ------------------
Jay Kilroy
68' Fastback GT 390
"No such thing as a cam thats too big"
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 1501
From: Stanton, Michigan 49707
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 01-02-2001 08:48 AM
Thanks for the input, Jay!
Another "note-to-file" you might consider adding is that I heard from a fella who installed the Ford exhaust-flanged BT heads in his '69 Stang but then discovered his Crites headers no longer fit --- possibly due to the FEF heads having a 5/8" raised flange (compared to the OEM head) 
I don't know if he switched to a different header or just what to correct the situation.....or have to build his own header. That's something I'd rather NOT have to do!
Later, Ryan ------------------
The '3-Pedal Attitude' Kid
in a '69 FB w/ 306 now, but
the 460+ is coming... :D
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jkilroy
Gearhead Posts: 1719
From: Vicksburg, MS
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 01-02-2001 09:59 AM
I talked to the Blue Thunder people and they suggest the BBC exhaust port over the Ford port. The port change is more than just a chevy flange on a ford port, the port shape is actually taller and farther out, removing a lot of the dreaded "short side radius".If you buy a set with the BBC port they include exhaust header flanges. The port spacing on the Ford ports is the same so what you do is buy your Ford headers, cut off the flanges and weld the tubes to the chevy flanges. ------------------
Jay Kilroy
68' Fastback GT 390
"No such thing as a cam thats too big"
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 1501
From: Stanton, Michigan 49707
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 01-02-2001 11:05 AM
Jay: my concern with what you are suggesting is that the BBC-flanged heads ARE 1.25" inches wider....which I'm quite sure would give me big problems - that even after I do the tower notching it may not provide enough fitment room - and I just would rather not have to cut out the ENTIRE shock tower suspension and then put in a Mustang II system or some clone of it for the sake of the heads. If my car was very rusty and the towers were in sad shape anyway, then maybe I'd save the $$ to do the MusII thing - but it's a solid car and the towers are in great shape now. I'm not doubting that the BBC BT heads flow better than the FEF BT heads; since the BBC heads were designed for speed boat use and fenderwell fitment isn't a concern in that arena. Alex: Thanks to you for your input as well!
You mentioned that Blue Thunder is a very small company... would you be concerned at all that BT may be bought out or go under and then whoever is holding their parts are left out in the cold?
We've all seen good parts simply 'disappear' for these reasons...
Later, Ryan ------------------
The '3-Pedal Attitude' Kid
in a '69 FB w/ 306 now, but
the 460+ is coming... :D
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F551
Gearhead Posts: 174
From: Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 01-02-2001 08:46 PM
Ryan - pardon my ignorance, what are FRPP?We have way too much invested in a set of cast iron heads, looking back we should have gone BT with Chevy flange. Had that BT dual plane - it works (had the raised plenum - with a 1" spacer), replaced it with a Victor that happened by. Last spring had corresponded with a tech guy at Edelbrock - was trying to get info on the Performer heads. He said they would be coming out with a Victor head for the 429/460 - when...... 5/8" raised flange doesn't equal 1.250" wider does it? That could be a big problem.
Has anyone seen these heads on a early Mustang?
------------------
Fred
68 Mustang 500CID/Powerglide - "No Tubs"
86 Mustang GT Cobra
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 1501
From: Stanton, Michigan 49707
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 01-02-2001 09:34 PM
Fred:
FRPP is "Ford Racing Performance Parts", or formally known as the SVO Motorsports program. The heads I'm referring to would be the same heads that come on the 514 crate engine (part M-6009-B514)from FRPP (see www.fordracing.com). Your right, 5/8" raised doesn't equal 1.25" wider... but the way I read the BT discription (see www.bluethunderauto.com) the flange is raised AND LENGTHENED in the BBC flange casting. As far as your "looking back" at your work & $$ in your iron heads; don't beat yourself up over it. You know hindsight is always 20/20 and besides, next year there may be somebody who comes out with a better designed thing-a-ma-bob of which you just paid three prices for and now it's obsolete! That's just the way it is for us all...but if we keep putting it off and waiting for that 'killer part', we never get to the track!
Later,, Ryan ------------------
The '3-Pedal Attitude' Kid
in a '69 FB w/ 306 now, but
the 460+ is coming... :D
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