lets talk about heads....
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
lets talk about heads....
since ive decided to go with a set of heads as my next mod, i just want some basic info before i spend the money!!
looks like i will keeping the stock LS1 heads, and getting them worked. what do you suggest i get done? are there certain levels of "porting & polishing"?? what about the valves??
i basically know nothing about heads, and ive got only 3 weeks to get the heads cleaned up and back on the car!! so i just need someone to tell me what to ask for when i bring my heads to the machine shop!!
what should i look for in terms of flow numbers?!?
thanks for any help!
looks like i will keeping the stock LS1 heads, and getting them worked. what do you suggest i get done? are there certain levels of "porting & polishing"?? what about the valves??
i basically know nothing about heads, and ive got only 3 weeks to get the heads cleaned up and back on the car!! so i just need someone to tell me what to ask for when i bring my heads to the machine shop!!
what should i look for in terms of flow numbers?!?
thanks for any help!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
From: Alhambra Calismognazifornia, in the country everyone comes just to complain but won't go back home!
you need to consider the package as a whole, you can't decide what to do with the heads without knowing your goal...are you building a race car or is it a daily driver or somewhere inbetween? how aggressive a cam are you going to use? the cam choice will dictate what springs you need to use as well as pushrods. the springs you use will dictate which seats, seals, and locks you'll use. if you're trying to get every last ounce of power, you'll go with a stage 3 type setup at least. if it's a DD and you don't race, then you'll probably be most happy with a stage 1 setup. typical work done on LS1 stage 1 heads is 3 angle valve job and CNC port work. if you're taking them to a shop that has experience with LS1 work, i doubt you'll have to specify flow specs or port work details, they'll know precisely what to do. if you're taking them to some race shop that does headwork but doesn't have experience with LS1s, don't 
.
look at LPE and A&A websites for typical descriptions of LS1 stage 1 headwork. there are many other vendors on here that carry their own versions as well.
.look at LPE and A&A websites for typical descriptions of LS1 stage 1 headwork. there are many other vendors on here that carry their own versions as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Since you have a cam, a good LS1 head porting vendor should be able to work to your current setup. Another vendor to consider is Precision Porting, I was very impressed with their mid-lift flow numbers.
Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,776
Likes: 21
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
Brian,
Might want to check out a set of AFR heads. Unless I was getting my work done from someone like Precision Porting that I could prove my flow numbers, I would buy a set already done from someone like AFR.
Mark
Might want to check out a set of AFR heads. Unless I was getting my work done from someone like Precision Porting that I could prove my flow numbers, I would buy a set already done from someone like AFR.
Mark
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 982
Likes: 57
From: Charleston, SC South Carolina
Originally Posted by cmeflyby
you need to consider the package as a whole, you can't decide what to do with the heads without knowing your goal...are you building a race car or is it a daily driver or somewhere inbetween? how aggressive a cam are you going to use? the cam choice will dictate what springs you need to use as well as pushrods. the springs you use will dictate which seats, seals, and locks you'll use. if you're trying to get every last ounce of power, you'll go with a stage 3 type setup at least. if it's a DD and you don't race, then you'll probably be most happy with a stage 1 setup. typical work done on LS1 stage 1 heads is 3 angle valve job and CNC port work. if you're taking them to a shop that has experience with LS1 work, i doubt you'll have to specify flow specs or port work details, they'll know precisely what to do. if you're taking them to some race shop that does headwork but doesn't have experience with LS1s, don't .
look at LPE and A&A websites for typical descriptions of LS1 stage 1 headwork. there are many other vendors on here that carry their own versions as well.
.look at LPE and A&A websites for typical descriptions of LS1 stage 1 headwork. there are many other vendors on here that carry their own versions as well.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
thanks guys for the info! my only problems right now are COST & TIME!!!
mark, trust me... if i had the 2500 to dump on a set of heads i def. would!!!
i wasnt even going to do heads right now, but i will be getting a dyno tune in a few weeks, so i figured i will just do the heads now.
ive got a local guy who does LT1/LS1/Mustang heads. only reason im really tempted to use him is because of his good deals. my friends know the guy and rec. his work to me.
hmmm... this might be another option. but i think i can get stage 2 done here with this guy for a lot cheaper! i will look into it. thanks again!
mark, trust me... if i had the 2500 to dump on a set of heads i def. would!!!
i wasnt even going to do heads right now, but i will be getting a dyno tune in a few weeks, so i figured i will just do the heads now.
ive got a local guy who does LT1/LS1/Mustang heads. only reason im really tempted to use him is because of his good deals. my friends know the guy and rec. his work to me.
Since you have a cam, a good LS1 head porting vendor should be able to work to your current setup. Another vendor to consider is Precision Porting, I was very impressed with their mid-lift flow numbers.
