Ford V8 Discussion Discussion relating to getting the most out of your Ford-based V8 Miata's engine

AFR 185 heads and GT40 intake

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Old 01-25-2018, 10:16 AM
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Default AFR 185 heads and GT40 intake

So to kind of continue on this thread: https://www.v8miata.net/ford-v8-disc...question-3244/

I am now concerned about clearance issues with the heater hoses and such. The problem with the valve covers I had wasn't the height of the covers but the width over the Scorpion 1.6 rocker arms - the stock valve covers wouldn't even bolt down. Can anyone suggest some wide but short valve covers with part numbers?
Old 01-25-2018, 02:34 PM
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A 1986-1993 valve cover should fit from a 5.0HO.
Old 01-26-2018, 05:23 AM
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I have scorpion arms, went with Ford Racing EFI valve covers with my trickflow heads. As stated in other thread, I did remove the bungs from the upper intake where it sits over the driver side valve cover. I also had my lower intake milled 1/4", so I had to space the throttle body out to clear the pass side valve cover. Might not be necessary if not milled, but I milled it to have extra room for hood clearance.
Old 01-26-2018, 08:50 AM
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Just to be clear I already have hood pins and would love to put a massive cowl induction hood - so I am not concerned about hood clearance. I am concerned about heater hoses, fuel lines, brake lines and such as I am planning on keeping A/C and heat, but the car doesn't have power steering so that is not an issue.
Old 01-27-2018, 05:21 AM
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No problem with any of those items that you listed with my install, I was able to get everything to fit behind the manifold (it is tight).
Old 01-29-2018, 06:14 PM
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Hi,

The heater hoses specified by martin will fit. I had to cut mine down a little on one hose, but it looks factory. So you won't have any issues. The fuel rails (oem) will clear, the Air con lines will just clear (just). There is a bit of room behind the intake to run things is

However I just noticed that you are running 185 AFR heads and a GT 40 intake. I have a comment from my experiences that may help.

The AFR heads will flow 295 cfm at 0.6in of lift. This is an excellent head.

Your GT40 in unported guise will flow 215-220cfm max.

If your GT40 lower manifold is ported you may get 240-250cfm.

I strongly recommend that you remove the GT40 and use an intake manifold that can flow 300cfm ( I can suggest the trickflow TFS R 75mm for a 302/331 and 90mm for a 347 stroker).

You will kill your engine's power over 4500 rpm with that manifold. Having done this myself before I know how badly the engine power will flat line once the manifold saturates and cant flow any more. Your heads are way to good for that manifold, make the most of them with a good intake and a throttle body to match min 70mm if a 302 and min 75mm on a stroker.

You are losing 20% of intake flow with that intake....not worth it
Old 01-31-2018, 09:51 AM
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Okay then - so if I picked up a ported Victor Jr. EFI intake manifold w/ a FPR, rails and injector, should I use my Cobra throttle body and MAF or just use the MAF and get a bigger throttle body?

Also, I suppose I will need an elbow to fit the throttle body and MAF but I would love to run a big oval air filter with a shaker hood. If I have to use an elbow I would be happy to put on a pro stock type scoop and hood cutout.
And the bottom end is a 306 with full ring mains, an E series cam and stock replacement rods and pistons. I also threw in a double roller timing chain.

Last edited by othersalem; 01-31-2018 at 09:57 AM. Reason: content
Old 02-04-2018, 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by othersalem
Okay then - so if I picked up a ported Victor Jr. EFI intake manifold w/ a FPR, rails and injector, should I use my Cobra throttle body and MAF or just use the MAF and get a bigger throttle body?

Also, I suppose I will need an elbow to fit the throttle body and MAF but I would love to run a big oval air filter with a shaker hood. If I have to use an elbow I would be happy to put on a pro stock type scoop and hood cutout.
And the bottom end is a 306 with full ring mains, an E series cam and stock replacement rods and pistons. I also threw in a double roller timing chain.
Okay, the Victor Jr. EFI Intake will flow 220cfm std and around 240-270cfm when ported (Stage 2 porting) they can flow 300+cfm with a stage 3 level of porting. I am sure it will be much better than the GT40 but if you want maximum kick then you will still be short changing the heads (unless the intake is ported to Stage 3).

The cost to port the intake to get 300+ cfm may be prohibitive, and a such a TFS R will flow 295cfm straight out of the box which is right on the money for your heads. Combined with the 75mm Throttle body you will be giving it the best chance to breathe to its potential. I think the GT40 TB is 65mm, which would work but would be marginal on your application, try 70mm or 75mm. That will be OK.

Keep us posted

Go Straight to a TFS R
Old 02-08-2018, 10:12 AM
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Let me rephrase, I now own a ported Victor Jr. Intake with fuel rails, an FPR and injectors that has port openings that line up perfectly with the heads.
So now I need to do something to make the throttle body fit. Should I just get an elbow and run the stock throttle body and MAF? Or go with an aftermarket throttle body?
Old 01-03-2019, 07:23 PM
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Hi,

An aftermarket throttle body will flow a lot more than the factory throttle body even at the same diameter. I would advise that you upgrade it. A 75mm accufab is a good option.
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