Looking for recommendation on machine shop and pistons

[rapala13]

I am looking for a reccomendation of a machine shop that knows what they are doing when it comes to the Ford 302 and send out a reliable product which is well done at a reasonable cost.

Here in Bemidji there is Larry's Machine Shop and Don's in Fosston. I heard of Zeuli's Automotive Machine Shop (Cokato) which was recommended on mn-jeep.com.

Machine shop recommendations please?

Now the basic story before piston and rockers question. I have a 1996 Ford 302 in a Bronco with OBD-II.

A) Already have GT-40 heads with the tapped holes front and rear, I have the rear pipe that connects the rear of both heads which must be either the EGR or thermactor pipe.
B) Scorpion rockers
C) Probably will have to put in new camshaft
D) Lower intake will have to be ported to match GT-40 heads
E) Bassani Headers
F) Just want to build for more power between 55 and 80 mph, and off road with outdoor use.
G) Going to leave the stock upper intake on.

I have been thinking of Mahle or Ross forged pistons as I heard Keith Black have some problems.
One literature source says hypereutic pistons are better than forged when it comes to performance.
I could use a piston reccomendation, not interested in Chinese or India sourced pistons.
Piston recommendations please?

Now for the roller rockers, is 1.62 or 1.72 ratio recommended?

Last is there a member on here that does porting?
I noticed somehting about porting the exhaust on the GT-40 heads, is it worth it?

[KrisR]

FWIW, I have Probe SRS forged pistons in my 4.6L 2V car. They have taken 20+psi of boost regularly, close to 700rwhp. The engine has been together since 2007 I think. I believe they are reasonably priced also.

[Akromix]

hyper pistons are not better for anything really.

[MadJack]

Hypers are nice.for paper wieghts

[Joe M]

Talk with Steve - Minnesota5.0 on here.

[budderigs]

Talk with Steve - Minnesota5.0 on here.

For what you are doing I think it would be well worth your time to talk to Steve. He would be a good long drive from you. But his prices are really good. And work is top notch.

Another option on the board is ds5dot. Also very top notch work with a long a+ track record. I think almost all of the fastest racers on the board are running ds5dot engines With great success. I think he might be closer to you.

[D3thM3tal]

I have a ds5dot assembled engine - not a single worry for me.

[TwistedMetal]

Are those the only shops up here? It is time for my heads to be overhauled but I am looking for someone local that has experience with aluminum heads up here in north mn.

[D3thM3tal]

other options are R&R Performance in Spring Lake Park or Knowlton's in Bethl.

[Notch]

Are those the only shops up here? It is time for my heads to be overhauled but I am looking for someone local that has experience with aluminum heads up here in north mn.

You do realize this isn't 1985 and the majority of new engines have aluminum heads from the factory. Shouldn't be difficult to find someone who can work on them. The problem is trying to pull yourself away from your sister.

[D3thM3tal]

You do realize this isn't 1985 and the majority of new engines have aluminum heads from the factory. Shouldn't be difficult to find someone who can work on them. The problem is trying to pull yourself away from your sister.

I think they were recently captured on film <LINK>

[TwistedMetal]

You do realize this isn't 1985 and the majority of new engines have aluminum heads from the factory. Shouldn't be difficult to find someone who can work on them. The problem is trying to pull yourself away from your sister.

U jelly.

When you get this far north, mainstream technology and services are about a decade behind.

[squeeezer]

aarons precision in scandia

[Old Man]

I don't know what your budget is but I would not spend any money porting and rebuilding stock heads, GT 40 included. For the same price or less you can have a pair of aftermarket aluminum heads that will out flow the ported stock junk and save you 50lbs on the front end.

[Notch]

U jelly.

When you get this far north, mainstream technology and services are about a decade behind.

My junk came with aluminum heads from the factory. Ya u jelly fgt