LT1 head porting options
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Peabody MA
LT1 head porting options
I may pick up another set of aluminum LT1 heads and have them sent out to be ported. The reason I'm hesitant to go aftermarket is because I already have longtube headers that fit LT1 heads and I want my car to look relatively stock under the hood.
I've heard Llyod Elliot and Advanced Induction do a great job with CNC porting stock LT1 heads, but Golen's is much closer to me (I live in northern MA) and I've heard they aren't bad either. Does anyone have any recommendations or personal experience with anyone who CNC ports stock LT1 heads?
I've heard Llyod Elliot and Advanced Induction do a great job with CNC porting stock LT1 heads, but Golen's is much closer to me (I live in northern MA) and I've heard they aren't bad either. Does anyone have any recommendations or personal experience with anyone who CNC ports stock LT1 heads?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
I will give you my opinion FWIW. But unless you get a good deal on machine work, I would get a set of AFR heads. For less then $2,000.00 you can get a set of AFR heads that out of the box will outflow any ported stock head.
On the other hand, in the FS section, someone has a set of LT4 heads that were reworked by Lloyd, along with the LT4 intake for sale for $1,000.00 dollars.
Other then a deal like that, the ported factory heads are just too close to the cost of AFR heads.
Here is the link for the ones I was talking about. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ke-1000-a.html
On the other hand, in the FS section, someone has a set of LT4 heads that were reworked by Lloyd, along with the LT4 intake for sale for $1,000.00 dollars.
Other then a deal like that, the ported factory heads are just too close to the cost of AFR heads.
Here is the link for the ones I was talking about. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ke-1000-a.html
Last edited by 93 ragtop; Aug 16, 2013 at 03:36 PM. Reason: to add link
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 4
From: decatur ga
heads
I will give you my opinion FWIW. But unless you get a good deal on machine work, I would get a set of AFR heads. For less then $2,000.00 you can get a set of AFR heads that out of the box will outflow any ported stock head.
On the other hand, in the FS section, someone has a set of LT4 heads that were reworked by Lloyd, along with the LT4 intake for sale for $1,000.00 dollars.
Other then a deal like that, the ported factory heads are just too close to the cost of AFR heads.
Here is the link for the ones I was talking about. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ke-1000-a.html
On the other hand, in the FS section, someone has a set of LT4 heads that were reworked by Lloyd, along with the LT4 intake for sale for $1,000.00 dollars.
Other then a deal like that, the ported factory heads are just too close to the cost of AFR heads.
Here is the link for the ones I was talking about. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ke-1000-a.html
Last edited by calvette 11; Aug 18, 2013 at 08:27 PM. Reason: spelling
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Other then a deal like that, the ported factory heads are just too close to the cost of AFR heads.
Last set I did the guy had over $1700 in them to make them right
AFRs still would have walked all over them with a better port shape/size
and advantages of a light valvetrain
Many forget (start budget building) guides seals springs seats larger valves. For quality parts and machine work it adds up.
Many just port add springs and hold their breath on the rest. Would suck to drop a valve because the valves were moving around too much in the guide. Add valve float kaboom.
If youre dead set on stock castings use AI
Last edited by cv67; Aug 18, 2013 at 09:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 3
From: Chandler Arizona
Some people prefer to stick with the stock castings; in that respect, I'd go in this order;
Advanced Induction
Lloyd
TPIS
Lengenfelter is a great company, but when you actually talk to them, they don't share the same passion about the original series of small blocks like John did. Nor the c4 for that matter. They didn't even care to talk about modifications for it to me. The vendors listed above are still actively involved in the L98/LT-x platform
Advanced Induction
Lloyd
TPIS
Lengenfelter is a great company, but when you actually talk to them, they don't share the same passion about the original series of small blocks like John did. Nor the c4 for that matter. They didn't even care to talk about modifications for it to me. The vendors listed above are still actively involved in the L98/LT-x platform
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 7
From: Ft Wayne IN
I had Golen do a "budget" head job for $900 several years back.
It got me all new Manley larger valves, double springs good for at least .550+ lift and all new guides, retainers, larger dia. rocker studs installed and some bowl blending along with decked surface. So basiclley a performance rebuild with all upgraded parts. I then cleaned up the ports to match the gasket and polished. At the time it was all I had in the budget for this part of the motor. I then ported and polished the intake myself and setup for 58mm TB.
Was it worth $900? I felt so, however I had many hrs, of tediase hand work on them which I enjoyed. Now I have outgrown the power and find myself wanting more
. That's always the case though. If the rest of your motor is stock and you are on a restricted budget not looking for over 450hp at the crank I personaly wouldnt' put a $2000 set of heads on a stockish motor.
If you are "building the motor" and enjoy HP then go for it. Just remember it's a slippery slop to get all to match i.e. heads , cam, rearend gears, D-44, higher stall.
Sorry I just reread your post: They didn't do any CNC work on mine at the time, just blending of the bowl area.
It got me all new Manley larger valves, double springs good for at least .550+ lift and all new guides, retainers, larger dia. rocker studs installed and some bowl blending along with decked surface. So basiclley a performance rebuild with all upgraded parts. I then cleaned up the ports to match the gasket and polished. At the time it was all I had in the budget for this part of the motor. I then ported and polished the intake myself and setup for 58mm TB.
Was it worth $900? I felt so, however I had many hrs, of tediase hand work on them which I enjoyed. Now I have outgrown the power and find myself wanting more
. That's always the case though. If the rest of your motor is stock and you are on a restricted budget not looking for over 450hp at the crank I personaly wouldnt' put a $2000 set of heads on a stockish motor.If you are "building the motor" and enjoy HP then go for it. Just remember it's a slippery slop to get all to match i.e. heads , cam, rearend gears, D-44, higher stall.
Sorry I just reread your post: They didn't do any CNC work on mine at the time, just blending of the bowl area.
Last edited by C4vettrn; Aug 19, 2013 at 06:48 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 654
Likes: 18
From: Linthicum MD
Some people prefer to stick with the stock castings; in that respect, I'd go in this order;
Advanced Induction
Lloyd
TPIS
Lengenfelter is a great company, but when you actually talk to them, they don't share the same passion about the original series of small blocks like John did. Nor the c4 for that matter. They didn't even care to talk about modifications for it to me. The vendors listed above are still actively involved in the L98/LT-x platform
Advanced Induction
Lloyd
TPIS
Lengenfelter is a great company, but when you actually talk to them, they don't share the same passion about the original series of small blocks like John did. Nor the c4 for that matter. They didn't even care to talk about modifications for it to me. The vendors listed above are still actively involved in the L98/LT-x platform
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 3
From: Chandler Arizona
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 654
Likes: 18
From: Linthicum MD
There is a considerable difference between CNC(AI) vs Hand porting(Lloyd). Although, AI won't touch AFRs. Going to be sending mine to Lloyd late this year. An LE2 will yield 300cfm from my AFRs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I may pick up another set of aluminum LT1 heads and have them sent out to be ported. The reason I'm hesitant to go aftermarket is because I already have longtube headers that fit LT1 heads and I want my car to look relatively stock under the hood.
I've heard Llyod Elliot and Advanced Induction do a great job with CNC porting stock LT1 heads, but Golen's is much closer to me (I live in northern MA) and I've heard they aren't bad either. Does anyone have any recommendations or personal experience with anyone who CNC ports stock LT1 heads?
I've heard Llyod Elliot and Advanced Induction do a great job with CNC porting stock LT1 heads, but Golen's is much closer to me (I live in northern MA) and I've heard they aren't bad either. Does anyone have any recommendations or personal experience with anyone who CNC ports stock LT1 heads?
Why not talk with Chad Golen and tell him what you are after. I thought that he actually used Lloyd Elliot's ported heads on some of the LT1 engines that he builds.
Do be sure to tell us however what you end up doing
