Porting LT1 Heads
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: ruston la
Porting LT1 Heads
Hey guys. I'm looking to get my heads ported and I was curious if anyone knew the best place to get that done. If possible, I'd rather not be without them for much more than a week. I'm in North Louisiana so if anyone knows of a good place nearby that would be great, but I can always ship them. What about pricing? I don't have a clue what this would cost.
Also, I was wondering if the LT4 intake matched up to the LT1 heads.
Thanks in advance.
Also, I was wondering if the LT4 intake matched up to the LT1 heads.
Thanks in advance.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster CA
Re: Porting LT1 Heads (ncider)
LT4 intake wont work with LT1 heads, and vice versa. i would recomend finding a set of heads on ebay or smoething and getting those machined, ported, polished etc. then you wont have much just down time, only aas long as it takes to R&R. then you can kee your heads as a spare or sell them on ebay.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,635
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
Re: Porting LT1 Heads (ncider)
I am wondering too. Who does the best work for the price, and has documented flow #s. How come the forum vendors don't offer us head/cam package specials like they are always doing on the C5 section? :mad
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: Porting LT1 Heads (ncider)
I nixed the idea of porting my LT1 heads and just bought the LT4 (complete with valves and springs) assemblies. Just cannot beat the price.
Of course, I'm not looking for more than the standard setup of LT4 heads, intake, and the HotCam. They're matched up perfectly and should provide reasonable results (I'll be doing the PCM tuning myself).
If you're looking to use a more aggressive cam than the HotCam then better flow numbers than the LT4 heads may be neccessary.
Of course, I'm not looking for more than the standard setup of LT4 heads, intake, and the HotCam. They're matched up perfectly and should provide reasonable results (I'll be doing the PCM tuning myself).
If you're looking to use a more aggressive cam than the HotCam then better flow numbers than the LT4 heads may be neccessary.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 498
Likes: 21
From: Maine
Re: Porting LT1 Heads (ncider)
I ended up buying a set of LT1 cores from http://www.totalengineairflow.com and having them CNC'd and setup with 2.00/1.57 Ferrea valves, swirl polished and undercut, Comp Cams 987 double spring valves, CC retainers & locks and viton valve seals. The flow numbers are below.
Intake
.100 - 66.4
.200 - 139.3
.300 - 194.0
.400 - 235.5
.500 - 265
.600 - 262.7
Exhaust
.100 - 57.3
.200 - 112.8
.300 - 156.0
.400 - 192.1
.500 - 214.1
.600 - 228.7
Total Engine Airflow Flow is a reputable company and does good work.
Intake
.100 - 66.4
.200 - 139.3
.300 - 194.0
.400 - 235.5
.500 - 265
.600 - 262.7
Exhaust
.100 - 57.3
.200 - 112.8
.300 - 156.0
.400 - 192.1
.500 - 214.1
.600 - 228.7
Total Engine Airflow Flow is a reputable company and does good work.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Out by the bridge again, TampaBay
Re: Porting LT1 Heads (ncider)
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 1
From: PA
Re: Porting LT1 Heads (Goody)
There are significant advantages to the CNC ported LT1 heads over the LT4 top end parts. Firstly, the cnc'd LT1 setup with More's recommended Crane cam will provide excellent low and midrange power that is well suited to the LT1's stock rev limit...while providing an almost plywood-flat powerband and 425 HP at 5700 RPM. The hot cam and LT4 top end has much less low-midrange power and obligates you to push the limiter-redline beyond 6300 RPM to experience the peak HP & make good use of the powerband. This abuses the LT1 reciprocating assy and you can blow the motor. If you keep the LT4 Hot Cam package below 5800 RPM to preserve durability, it will be a toothless barking dog with mostly cons and few pros.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: Porting LT1 Heads (Rick93Z07)
Rick, you are quite correct. But I'm gonna test out 6300rpm with a slightly beefed auto tranny and hope the stronger '95-'96 connecting rods will stay put with ARP bolts on rods and ARP stud kit on the mains.
Keeping the powerband in a slightly lower rpm range really is the smarter way to go, but what the hell. It's a toy... let's see what she'll do :)
And if she doesn't blow right away, I'll let you guys know how the stock LT4/A4/2.59 programming works out (no.. I'm not on crack.. the LT4 programming has it in there). It should be interesting.
Keeping the powerband in a slightly lower rpm range really is the smarter way to go, but what the hell. It's a toy... let's see what she'll do :)
And if she doesn't blow right away, I'll let you guys know how the stock LT4/A4/2.59 programming works out (no.. I'm not on crack.. the LT4 programming has it in there). It should be interesting.
