Need some new stock ported iron heads

[TRBON8R]

I'm wondering what the average cost is to get a good quality set of ported stock heads and a good cam installed by a reliable shop. I was quoted approximately $4000 a while back. This included a new timing chain, cam, high volume oil pump, all labor, etc. I trust this shop since they run a GN that is deep into the 9 second range, and they have treated me right in the past. However this is a huge chunk of change, and I need to know if this is fair and if it is representative of the going rate for this type of work. To me it sounds a bit high considering the price of the parts is maybe half or less of the quoted price. But I could be wrong.

I know that with ported heads my TA49 isn't exactly ideal, but would it be able to keep up with my new heads until I can upgrade the turbo?

 

[Nick Micale]

Sounds about right for California rates. We do lots of stuff like that if you feel up to a "road trip"!

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

yea the 49 works good with ported heads.....

 

[JToups386]

For the money, (in my opinion), you cannot beat a set of Champion CNC'd irons! Call the owner, Tom Allen at 386-446-4488 for details. I was amazed at the workmanship and detail, but that's to be expected from the CNC machine too. All ports the same size. They're advertised to flow about 200 on the intake side, which is plenty good. Your TA49 will work just fine with em'. A base set from Champion is around $1195, which comes assembled and ready to bolt on and does not require an exchange set either. They usually have them on the shelf, ready to send out upon request.

 

[Intercooler]

If you are interested, how about a set like I have in the sig that flow better than Champion irons and more like GN-1's for $800.00?

 

[frankg]

Champions are nice but overpriced in my book. Frank

 

[OneLethal87GN]

to Intercooler:

So you charge $800 for a set of ported heads? Is that with or w/o an exchange? How much for a port matched intake? A JJ t.b./upper plenum would be the finishing touch....until I can think of something else to add

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

Originally posted by frankg
Champions are nice but overpriced in my book. Frank

true but 8 bucks aint too cheap either...

 

[JToups386]

Am I to understand that some of you are claiming you can get a set of heads done for less than Champion's price range, that are comparable or better? I find this hard to believe. Remember, the Champions come CNC ported (same flow all ports), complete with new SS Manley one piece vavles, (larger size on intake - 1.77's), as well as good retainers, and with 100 lb valve springs, and no exchange.
If someone is claiming to be able to hand port a set that flows as well, and comes completely ready to bolt on, then they are obviously not in business to make money.
I have talked with numerous head porters here in Houston, (where there's a plethora), and none will do the job for any cheaper with the same quality. I'm not trying to sell you anything, but I'd be careful of what others claim they can do, until they put their product on a flow-bench at whatever RPM range you want to make that power, and see how they compare. A peak number is no good if it only makes it at an RPM range you'll never be operating in.
Just some food for thought, that I'm sure I'll receive beratement over. Again, it's only my opinion, derived from self research, and from knowing and hanging around several top-notch local speed shops.

 

[Intercooler]

Originally posted by JToups386
Am I to understand that some of you are claiming you can get a set of heads done for less than Champion's price range, that are comparable or better? I find this hard to believe.

Yup! Better! I put numbers up not long ago. Champions are a real good value for $1200 but if you want better flow numbers than they put out a hand port is the only way to go. Due to the way CNC machines cut the ports there are turn lines that are still there after cutting. Last set of Champions I saw didn't have this cleaned up. To get the bigger numbers you have to use the larger 1.77 intake valve. At $800.00 their is no profit in it like you said.

 

[xlr8ngn]

I have seen CNC ported heads that looked horrible. There were ridges in the runners where the cutter went too deep on one side and did not touch on the other. This was from core shift in the casting. I do not agree that you will get identical flow through each port just because it was done on a CNC machine. There is core shift and casting variations and alot of other things that cause a head to flow or not flow. Head porters have "tricks" that most of us cannot even begin to understand that make heads flow. In my opinion, the right guy with a die grinder will out flow a CNC job any day of the week.

 

[Intercooler]

Good points. The CNC guy I am working with also showed me chatter that sometimes shows up in the work. Much of the time it is when the cutter starts to go dull. Flow is one thing and how much you can afford is the other.

 

[JToups386]

Well, again,,, I'm not trying to sell anyone on anything. I'm merely giving my perspective based on my own personal findings. There will always be someone better somewhere. I agree that a hand ported full race type port and grind will flow better and allow for more detail in things such as creating venturi effects, etc. My simple point was, he was inquiring on getting a good set of affordable iron heads. Again, I don't think IN MOST CASES, you can find anyone that will do a set by hand for that price, with the same quality. As I mentioned, in the rare case that you do, they're not making any money on it, because if you've ever tried to grind on a set of iron heads, you'll know the time and effort it takes to do it right. (time is $$$). I must also say, the set of Champions I purchased had been finished out by hand, and were smoother than a baby's butt. They far exceeded my expectations, and I got the same response from "the gang" that all looked at them. Maybe I was just fortunate, but I tend to believe Tom at Champion does this on all of his work. I'm certainly not special or get any bonus benefits. As for the cost issue, as mentioned, you can get more from a "hand job" full race ported version, but you will pay big bucks for it. My original choice here in Houston, who is an artist with heads, wanted a minimum of $1600, and I did not see there would be enough gain from the extra $400 that it would've cost me. And,,, as always, this is only my opinion. You may continue to disect it at will... Thanks everyone for your input...

 

[frankg]

I claim that and Intercooler has the flow sheet to prove my #'s. The heads i did for him outflow the Champions by a bunch and will be done for a good bit less than $1200 but no i couldn't make a living off of the profit. Like i said overpriced but pretty!!! Frank

 

[OneLethal87GN]

So.... Who has the best price on a set of ported heads.....intakes?Those seem to be my next logical steps in power enhancement.

 

[slow 86 gn]

Heads

I live in Los Angeles about an hour from you, just had a set of heads worked on. Port and polish, 1.77 in 1.50 ex stainless,guides, seals and springs. Ready to run, also intake match ported. I paided 939.00 for everything. Here's the phone number. West Coast Cylinder heads (818) 705-5454 As far as having the heads installled I found a local mechanic who has owned a couple of these cars, and he quoted me 400.00 to install the heads. I would look else were before paid 4000.00 for a cam and head job!!!

 

[Intercooler]

Re: Heads

Originally posted by slow 86 gn
I live in Los Angeles about an hour from you, just had a set of heads worked on. Port and polish, 1.77 in 1.50 ex stainless,guides, seals and springs. Ready to run, also intake match ported. I paided 939.00 for everything. Here's the phone number. West Coast Cylinder heads (818) 705-5454 As far as having the heads installled I found a local mechanic who has owned a couple of these cars, and he quoted me 400.00 to install the heads. I would look else were before paid 4000.00 for a cam and head job!!!

What kind of flow numbers did they get out of them? Not bad prices.

 

[turbowrenchhead]

I also did some research. I called 4 shops that did head porting and had a flow bench. I asked for the large vavles and guides. I said I would like 200 cfm on exhaust and all the other little things that go along with it. They all quoted around a 1000 bucks. Then I asked if this included egr port filling and they said another 200. So this put me at 1200. I am going with the champions. I know they put out a quailty head and they have an excellent reputation. I called tom and spoke with him after talking with him for a few minutes I am a believer.

 

[Ed Valvo]

Champion irons are pretty good for the money however if you let a reputable cylinder head shop take a look at their work, I'm sure they'll critique it.

A few local head gurus in my area took a look into Champion heads and were not impressed with them. A few buddies of mine had to have them redone to get them to seal! Runout was pretty bad. The ports looked nice though.

 

[Nick Micale]

I agree Ed, had a set of worked, new Champion heads brought in for install on customer's motor and had to redo a few areas.