Looking to get some head work soon on my 243's. I'm considering West Coast Cylinder Head or T.E.A. to do the work. The work being done is a full CNC job plus cutting them down to 61cc's. I've talked to them both and both seem to be on the same page as the other, on price and recomendations.

Do you guys have a preferance with either ?? Pro's or con's ?? Or anyone else with the ability and similar priced ?? This is going to run me roughly $1100 bucks and thats using my heads.

Thanks in advance...

 

Just to give you a base line, my car dyno'ed 434 with a cam and full bolt-ons(LS6). I'm looking to have the heads CNC'ed and bump the compression towards 11.0:1. But also install a FAST 92 (port matched) and a ported LS2 TB. Just trying to squeeze the last drop of HP out of the stock rotating assembly.

If you have anything you'd like to add, by all means... I know you guys know your way around the LS based motors.

BTW, what would this last addition (worked heads, FAST92, ported TB) be worth (HP) ??

Thanks....

 

ive had tsp ls-6 2.5 cnc heads casting number 799 in the past. they come with double springs. check their site for pricing. you might get new for a little more and sell your stockers for difference in price. just an idea. id also do a cam when changing to a better flowing head.

 

You can give Cartek Racing (www.cartekracing.com - 908-317-4496) a call, custom head porting and assembly are among their specialties.

 

After dealing with Richard at WCCH for a number of years..I can't find a reason to deal with anyone else.

 

The dyno run was made last summer and for all practical purposes I could be off 10 or 15 HP. Its was run with out me there, so.... Dropped off (6 hour drive) to be tuned...and was told the numbers over the phone. But after the heads are worked over along with the new manifold and TB setup I will be putting her back on the dyno....then its off to the track.

One more question, would you shy away from a CNC'ed port job over a custom hand port ?? Will the hand port be more detailed around the cam or is it a standard thing ?? And I never heard what your thoughts on this last ditch effort would produce (243's ported/61cc, port matched 92, LS2 TB ported, with a complimenting tune) ??

The reason I ask is because I've been given a guys name (Mike) who used to work at Cartek and is suppost to be awesome with 243's. But it's a hand port job.

Here's the cam spec, she pulls from about 2400-to rev. limit. With me living by the moto; take care of the ounces and the pounds take care of themselves, I was able to get her down to 2880 without me in it (I weight a buck 65). And shes not gutted at all. What I'm getting at is, with the 3.90 gear a relative lighter weight ride and a 6 speed the cam does not seem doggish at all. I'm hoping with this last addition (heads, manifold, TB) to add a solid 50 RWHP. Of course with a great tune to go with it. Thanks again....

LIFT I=.644 E=.598
DURATION I=231 E=234
LS = 111
I also forgot to mention Intake is LSR lobes and the Exhaust is XER. Thanks..

OK, I've been doing a lot of reading and "back ground checks". And two names of hand porters seem to rise to the surface everywhere I look.
1) Mike T @ MCP racing in NJ
2) Greg Good in Houston TX

Both of these guys seem to have a s**t ton of credibility(especially on 243's). One example, I know Mike T. did the head work on Robz's C5. 388ci, N/A, 6 speed, IRS=1.32 60ft, 9.33@148. I heard it made close to 640RWHP on a Mustang dyno, we are still talking 388 N/A. And I'm pretty sure we are talking cathedral port s**t. A lot of the N.E. guys sing Mike's praise.

And Greg is know all over the racing community for his ability to make a master piece of the 243's.

So, lets be critical. For my application would you guys still lean towards the CNC job from T.E.A. or WCCH ??

 

So let's be realistic here...Give Mike T and Greg Good a call and tell them you want a set of heads like Rob Z's for $1,100.

Post back and let us know how hard they laughed.

 

Come on man, I didn't say thats what I wanted. Don't be that guy !! Does it sound like I'm after Robz level of performance ?? Then why would I ask for his port job ?? Robz has more in his valve train then I will in my entire motor.

I'll restate the question for those who got lost. Is there a gain by going CNC over hand port or vise versa ?? And you may be correct in saying its out of my price range (Mike hand port) but I would hope the price matched the level of "work" performance.

 

IMHO: For $1,100 you'll get more for your money with a "good" CNC job.

 

Thanks, I'll do some calling around tomorrow and get back with you guys.

 

If you're trying to get every last bit out of a set of heds, I believe it's best to have them hand ported.

Cost vs benefit

1) buy off the shelf CNC ported from Texas speed or someone else... a decent head - but likely not optimal.
Plus side is you can sell your heads to offset the cost some.

2) take your heads off. Ship them to a good shop to have them ported and shipped back.
out of pocket expense will probably be double. but, you'll have a killer set of heads.

How much do you want to pay for your hp?

Best of success with your quest!

 

Good points Pete; its also important to remember springs while the heads are off.
You may want to consider another cam after the head work has been done. The flow numbers will change and it is a good time to get the right cam profile to take advantage of the new heads.
Scott

 

Yep... and also, think about used...

there is a guy on the forum - a nice guy too - selling a really nicely matched setup for a heck of a good price...


LSoholic, I'm talking about Scott. he has a great deal on a properly matched setup.

 

Thanks guy for the info and insight. I think I'm going with Mike T. on the hand ported 243's and a worked over 90/90 setup. I'd love to do Robz's old setup but I only have about $1,500 budgeted for the head work. And this is not a full on race setup, just a weekend car to have some fun with.

Thanks again....

 

Mike T will make you happy.

 

i would go with Cartek heads........... expensive but you pay for what you get.... I don't like to spend money 2x when I can spend it once and be done with it the first time.... my .02 cents

 

thats 10's HP you got now.... how fast are you looking to go?

 

Yeah, I'm very excited. I'm on Nitto NT-O5's, not the best tire for brute torque. Takes a lot of heat to work desently, but handles the curves awesome.
From the all the experiance I've been talking to lately(WCCH, Mike T.,Greg G.,TEA), it seems 50-70 RWHP is what I should expect from a full port job, a bump in compression (61cc), FAST 92 port matched and cleaned up and a 90mm TB cleaned up also. I would be extatic with 450-470RWHP.
As far as how fast am I looking for....well....I've been working on my Ranger/Robz/J Rod launching techniques and feel if I could dip to 10.99 I'd be doing something awesome. I've also sprayed a 150 shot and plan on doing so once I get the N/A motor runs lined out. And would love to dip a 9.99 on spray, but thats a whole nother thread.
FYI, I ran a car across the certified CAT scales at the truck stop two weekends ago and.....2880lbs(without me and I weight a buck 65). I know, I know, seem like BS but I removed all the none essentials. And even drained the washer fluid but nothing is gutted!! The only change inside is Corbeau FX1 Pro's. Take care of the ounces and the pounds take care of themselves.