What cam? What heads? What manifold?

[Dangerous Doug]

Sounds like I've got some homework to do before I start buying parts...

Read about "beehive" valve springs last night in Popular Hot Rodding. Comp Cams makes them. I found them in Summit Racing for Chevy, but nothing for small Fords. The report was that it increased the RPM range by about 1300 rpm's over the typically spec'd springs, taking the rev limit up to 7000 rpm. Anyone have experience with these?

One thing on my engine build I need to figure out is if I'm going to replace the existing forged TRW 12.5:1's or keep them. This will determine what heads I buy. I'm trying to get as much hp for the $, so I'm inclined to keep them. But, admittedly, it seems silly to spend $1200 on heads to compensate for the pistons that I could replace for $300-$400.

Question: If the pistons are in good shape, why would I replace them (other than the obvious "you have to buy a specific head for them" answer)? Breakage? New technology?

Blykins: thanks for the Desktop Dyno numbers. Never heard of this application before, so I'll have to look it up. Looks like hitting 400 is a distinct possibility, but I won't hit it by chance---it will have to be by design.

DD