dizwiz24

I am having the hot cam installed and my heads ported, polished and so forth at the same time. The shop is trying to convince me to mill my heads .030" while they are at it. Is this a good or bad idea? Will I have to use special gas (other than 92 octane which is what I normally use?)? Will I get a worthwhile amount of power out of this, or just lead to problems (like maybe the head surface won't be as "true" anymore)

Will there be any whacky problems with computer or emissions related issues (I live in Ohio so its not a huge concern)

What would you do if you were me?I will mention this is a very reputable shop with t well known in tmy area. For doing musclecar work, and Harley Davidson work too.

Any response would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave

mackeyred96

Any idea how the intake will fit with the heads cut??????????

Aggravated4life

Im not an engine guru, but first we need to know what type engine and etc.You said hot cam so im assuming an LT1 or an engine with aluminum heads.
Milling it for another point will put it close to the 11.0 range compression if youre engine already has 10.0.
I dont like anything over 10.8:1 because todays gas isnt the best.
What size CC chambers will the heads have?
ALso, millig the heads that much will prog require the intake be milled as well to align up evenly.
More details needed about your engine and etc.

ZR WON

Hey all
Don't forget that none of the accessory brackets will line up with the bolt holes in the head. You'll also have to mill the intake as others have stated. In my opinion it's not worth the hassle. I had to elongate several holes in the accessory brackets in my '84 when I had the heads milled. Figure 15-17hp for each point increase in compression ratio.

Romeo Barrera

I'd rather pull the block and deck it. You'd still have to have the intake milled to compensate, but zero-decking will increase compression while reducing quench area which is good, whereas just milling the heads will increase compression without decreasing quench area, which is bad.

RichS

I had the heads on my 95 cut just to clean them up after they were done working them over. I forget how much was takin off but the compression went up to 10.8 from the stock 10.4 (yes it was calculated) Everything bolted back on, no leaks, no problems.

Chris@SD

You can mill the stock LT1 heads 30 thousandths without a problem. You will not have to cut the intake if that is all you are cutting the heads.
You should worry about the heads being true if they do not at least surface them. The increase in compression will not be a whole point, more like .6 of a point. You will get better efficiency from doing this, more power, and better economy.
With the Reverse cool of the LT1 and the design of the combustion chamber of the LT1, 11.0:1 is NOTHING. We have a local 396 LT1 that is running 12.6:1 on Houston pump gas without any knocking at all.

IMHO, go for it. There is only positive to this. Make sure that the machine shop polishes the combustion chamber.
Good Luck,

dizwiz24

I have a 1993 LT-1 6speed with 31,000 miles

-Dave