CNC Work... Katech versus Livernois Engineering?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 24
From: Bloomfield Hills Michigan
CNC Work... Katech versus Livernois Engineering?
After 20 years, it's finally time to get around to a head / cam swap on my '98 Vert...
I've had a brand new set of "799" heads that have been sitting around forever - so either I'll send them over to Katech or Livernois (both are quite close by, which is fortunate!). This car is just a daily driver and I'll be putting in a mild cam, so I'm really looking for low to mid-range gains from the CNC work on the heads. I've already installed long-tube headers, hi-flow cats, x-pipe, BB PRT's, LS6 intake manifold, ZO6 air box, a six-speed and an RKT built 3.90 differential - so it's time to pep the engine up bit
Has anyone had experience with either of the these shops? Any information greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Jeff
I've had a brand new set of "799" heads that have been sitting around forever - so either I'll send them over to Katech or Livernois (both are quite close by, which is fortunate!). This car is just a daily driver and I'll be putting in a mild cam, so I'm really looking for low to mid-range gains from the CNC work on the heads. I've already installed long-tube headers, hi-flow cats, x-pipe, BB PRT's, LS6 intake manifold, ZO6 air box, a six-speed and an RKT built 3.90 differential - so it's time to pep the engine up bit
Has anyone had experience with either of the these shops? Any information greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Jeff
Last edited by kalayaan12; Jan 4, 2019 at 11:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
I tried to work with Livernois to have my transmission worked on. They hung up on me mid conversation. I thought maybe we got disconnected. They never returned any of my calls after that. So much for customer service.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,774
Likes: 940
From: Orlando Florida
On the Katech web page they list just about every head as $499 per set, including 241s, 243s, 799s, 317s, and more. With a bit of Google time you can find some flow numbers. As I recall they made 241s flow very well
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
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I contacted Katech on this. Iirc it’s intake only. They left me a fairly lengthy voicemail on it all. I was trying to have an email record. They basically can do more for more $ but it wasn’t the worst value.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
I've got Livernois Stage 3 ported 243 heads. I bought them off craigslist never installed, and the damned things are works of art. On my car with a BTR Stage 2 cam, made 443 WHP tuned by Rich Gala at Motor City Speed. Rich was even surprised by the power, which we attributed to the heads because the cam is nothing THAT crazy.
Oddly, Livernois refused to tune my car because I didn't buy one of their cams and I didn't buy the heads directly from them. Despite me obviously offering to pay for tuning services, they told me they won't tune a car with parts that aren't theirs. So, another account of questionable customer service, but I must say that their products are solid...at least their head porting services.
Katech obviously knows what they're doing as well. They've had a lot of OEM interaction with GM, so I don't think you can go wrong with either company.
Oddly, Livernois refused to tune my car because I didn't buy one of their cams and I didn't buy the heads directly from them. Despite me obviously offering to pay for tuning services, they told me they won't tune a car with parts that aren't theirs. So, another account of questionable customer service, but I must say that their products are solid...at least their head porting services.
Katech obviously knows what they're doing as well. They've had a lot of OEM interaction with GM, so I don't think you can go wrong with either company.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
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Team Owner
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From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
I made 436rwhp/415rwtq on a Futral F11 228/230 112+4, TEA Stg 2 5.3s , ported LS6 TB, LS6 intake, Kooks 1 3/4" 3" to the X 2.5" after and GHLs. The F11 is not that for off a BTR Stg 2.
Plenty have made great power with AI and TEA on LS1tech.
Plenty have made great power with AI and TEA on LS1tech.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
Oh, I don't doubt they make great power, they've got an excellent reputation. The thing is, are they so much better than the likes of Katech or Livernois to be worth spending the extra money (and risk of damage/loss) to ship them out?
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,975
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From: Clinton Township MI
C7 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Our $499.99 porting special includes CNC porting intake and exhaust runners on all castings. There are no castings where we port just the intake side.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
Katech was building engines for the C5Rs back in the day, so there's that... And they're local. Not sure how you could go wrong. I had less than stellar conversations with Livernois when I was shopping for the same.
Not sure if you're doing the work yourself or if you plan the farm it out. If so, make Bruce a call at Aggressive Performance on of your phone calls while you're researching. He's a good guy and good prices too. Dr. Phil does does his tuning after the build.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/categ...0561583353375/
Not sure if you're doing the work yourself or if you plan the farm it out. If so, make Bruce a call at Aggressive Performance on of your phone calls while you're researching. He's a good guy and good prices too. Dr. Phil does does his tuning after the build.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/categ...0561583353375/
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
Katech was building engines for the C5Rs back in the day, so there's that... And they're local. Not sure how you could go wrong. I had less than stellar conversations with Livernois when I was shopping for the same.
Not sure if you're doing the work yourself or if you plan the farm it out. If so, make Bruce a call at Aggressive Performance on of your phone calls while you're researching. He's a good guy and good prices too. Dr. Phil does does his tuning after the build.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/categ...0561583353375/
Not sure if you're doing the work yourself or if you plan the farm it out. If so, make Bruce a call at Aggressive Performance on of your phone calls while you're researching. He's a good guy and good prices too. Dr. Phil does does his tuning after the build.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/categ...0561583353375/
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
FWIW I just shipped a pair of 243s to TSP FedEx ground for 52 dollars. Package weight was 55lbs. It will be worth every shipping penny when it's all said and done no matter who you chose to have do the job for you. They'll be returned in actual cylinder head boxes. Chances of damage are minimal IMO.
Last edited by Mr. Black; Jan 12, 2019 at 12:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 24
From: Bloomfield Hills Michigan
I'll definitely be bringing them to your location in this week! Are there different "stages" of CNC work available for the $499.99 price? I'll be using a mild cam and just running around town - no strip or track usage.
Thank-you!
Jeff
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 24
From: Bloomfield Hills Michigan
Dr. Phil is awesome!
He flashed my ECM with a manual transmission profile after I did my auto ==> manual swap, and the F45 delete on a Sunday right before I was headed back overseas the next day. Absolutely one top notch guy!
Jeff
He flashed my ECM with a manual transmission profile after I did my auto ==> manual swap, and the F45 delete on a Sunday right before I was headed back overseas the next day. Absolutely one top notch guy!
Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
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From: Motor City, MI
Keep us posted on your project and good luck.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Clinton Township MI
C7 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
There aren't different stages of porting programs used on the intake/exhaust runners, but we do offer valve job and hand blending to further enhance airflow.