What parts should I upgrade with for stock head port job?

[Maltman]

I'm looking to just stay on the cheaper side of things and hold on the aluminum heads for now...unless the port job ends up costing the same (better not).

So, I just want to get the right parts and requests to the porting guy.

I'm getting the stock flow numbers now and the porter said I had 2 bad valve guides (which explains some problems). I'll post those if anyone thinks they can tell me if it is worth it too (let me know).

#1: I just want to know what valves, guides and springs I need to upgrade to.

#2: Do I need to ask for any specific change (i.e. valve job)

#3: Best gaskets to use

Gnttype isn't responding, so I'm not sure if these questions can be answered there or not...so I thought I'd start here.

Thanks

Oh....and maybe a better question for Jason....would changing the stock heads mess up my power plate??

 

[vicious6]

I have had great luck with Felpro gaskets.

LT-1 valve springs seem to do well also.

Hope this helps. :smile:

 

[machinegun]

Here are 2 items I would recommend. First you may be better off to lok at champion to get your iron heads ported. They can big valve and port for less than 1200 bucks and they work great, I mean really great. If you are going to have a local guy do them, have them be careful as it is failrly easy to poke through the water jackets due to core shift in the castings when really opening them up. Good thing is 8445 castings are super duper cheap. I personally would not port and not add bigger valves. Bigger valves can be had from any of the buick vendors. TA, Champion, Weber Racing, Full throttle has them I think. Cottons and so forth. I try to support them when I can.

Valve springs can either be GM LT1 or comp 980-12 for flat tappet cam. If going roller then use the springs recommended by the cam vendro. If using one of the new autempered rollers get the kit and it comes with springs.

For intake gaskets I use the felpro steel with valley pan for street cars. Depending on the head porting you may need to modify this a little to match.

Head gaskets: Well there are a number of options. Lately I have used the cometics and have had excellent results. I however am going to try the new copper with the seals on them. I have heard some have excellent results from these to.

Exhaust gaskets, I usually use nothing or the copper ones. Both ways have worked good.

Hope this helps.

 

[Maltman]

Well, if I have to spend anything close to the cost of ported irons or aluminums from Champion....well, then I'm going with Champion. I'm under the impression that it shouldn't be that much....but I've been wrong before

I'm so torn between having the stockers ported and buying cnc'd heads that I can't stand it. My gut says spend the extra $$ and get the big heads...but my bankroll (and wife) says otherwise :frown:

Thanks for the opinions/help so far! I have about a week before I need to make a decision one way or the other, so I'll keep checking this and try to get an average of what everyone thinks is the best/most reliable....then seal my fate.

 

[c&cgn]

Well, if I have to spend anything close to the cost of ported irons or aluminums from Champion....well, then I'm going with Champion. I'm under the impression that it shouldn't be that much....but I've been wrong before

I'm so torn between having the stockers ported and buying cnc'd heads that I can't stand it. My gut says spend the extra $$ and get the big heads...but my bankroll (and wife) says otherwise :frown:

Thanks for the opinions/help so far! I have about a week before I need to make a decision one way or the other, so I'll keep checking this and try to get an average of what everyone thinks is the best/most reliable....then seal my fate.

How fast are you really looking to go ? I've been 10.7's with mildly ported small valve heads. I may have been able to go quicker but had other issues and didn't finish the season.

I have since been 10.4's with fully ported big valve heads.

It all depends on the rest of your combo and where you are looking to go. You should be able to get the heads mildly ported and retain the stock valves for somewhere in the $600 - $800 range.

 

[Maltman]

How fast are you really looking to go ? I've been 10.7's with mildly ported small valve heads. I may have been able to go quicker but had other issues and didn't finish the season.

I have since been 10.4's with fully ported big valve heads.

It all depends on the rest of your combo and where you are looking to go. You should be able to get the heads mildly ported and retain the stock valves for somewhere in the $600 - $800 range.

The last time I was at the track, I hit a best of 11.9 @113.

I can't remember if I was pushing 22 or 24 lbs...but the thing at that time was getting numbers from the tlink that I could use....had something going on with the O2's that made it impossible to tune.

I'd like to creep into the 10's eventually....my combo can be found here: http://webpages.charter.net/maltman182

 

[c&cgn]

The last time I was at the track, I hit a best of 11.9 @113.

I can't remember if I was pushing 22 or 24 lbs...but the thing at that time was getting numbers from the tlink that I could use....had something going on with the O2's that made it impossible to tune.

I'd like to creep into the 10's eventually....my combo can be found here: http://webpages.charter.net/maltman182

If you put your mods in your sig it would be easier for all to see and help out....

I went 11 teens with the mildly ported heads and a PT52 turbo. and a 214/210 cam. You definately need to port the heads with that 210/210 roller cam. That is a huge bottleneck right now for you.

The decision depends on your budget, and who is doing the heads for you. But either way, your combo should pick-up big time just by doing some porting.

Truth be told, the power is in the heads, so going to big valve irons should make a noticeable difference. I think you could tickle the 10's with the PT52 and decent fuel system to go with it. I think my car would've done 10's with that combo but I was only running MSD 50's and was out of fuel.

 

[Maltman]

In addition to these questions, what kind of effect would 2 bad valve guides have on our cars? I had bad oil leaks out of the valve cover breathers and couldn't keep any cover gaskets...but are we going to notice any hp differences??

..oh...and I put the web in my sig..thanks c&cgn

 

[49-blues]

I have a totally reconditioned set of iron stock heads, with all new guides valves,seals etc for $450.shipped

 

[Ormand]

I personally would not port and not add bigger valves

I agree. There is a write-up on porting over at GnTType.org, under the "Head Guides" section, by Ken Moser. Discusses the flow changes. Note the BIG change just from back cutting the intakes. So, for my $$$, I would just go with minor bowl work and a good three angle valve job, and not shell out the big bucks for the complete port job with big valves. When you get to the point where the heads are a restriction (somewhere in the mid 10s, it seems) then go with the aftermarket heads, and save a few pounds.