Getting heads done..... Need opinions
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Northern Va
Dirt Scooters
Bigger valves on a stock bore are no good. We've been doing some testing/research and the porter I use actually uses math to figure out what we need if that makes any sense. He talks about throat/short turn/bowl/seat angle/corner radius so every time he gets into detail it's like going to school. These heads arent your old big big block chevy heads you port in your gagrage. Let's just say there's a decent improvement to be made with good ported heads and when they are done right and for a specific goal. Dont trust just anyone portin your heads or you might end up worse than you started.
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Reno, NV
2004 sl55
I need this done also. Seems like no one is willing to share much information about where they got their heads done for some reason. Any of the high-end shops that are well known should be able to do a decent set. Most will have an engineer or someone well versed in fluid dynamics as well as software which gives optimal port volume, etc. As mentioned above its not just about volume, velocity is key to making mid-range power.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 7
From: Northern Va
Dirt Scooters
I need this done also. Seems like no one is willing to share much information about where they got their heads done for some reason. Any of the high-end shops that are well known should be able to do a decent set. Most will have an engineer or someone well versed in fluid dynamics as well as software which gives optimal port volume, etc. As mentioned above its not just about volume, velocity is key to making mid-range power.
P They aren't the cheapest but when it comes to head porting you get what you pay for.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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Mercedes
I was hoping to spend no more than 1500 to rework my heads. Nothing crazy, just to get a little more power as long as they are off. Im not looking to break records, and im trying to maintain pretty good driveability.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
You could also try Lesco, but they will be a lot more (guess)...http://www.4-lesco.com
If everything is working fine, compression and leak down are good, then I would not open the motor / remove the heads...Good luck
Last edited by cij911; Jun 5, 2012 at 09:34 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Northern Va
Dirt Scooters
Yea for $1500 your not going to get very much and what you might get could be worse than stock. Ported heads don't change drive ability. In my opinion head porting isn't a place you want to take chances. The exhaust port is tricky with the egr humps in them and don't have that much material to work with either. You also have to have the intake and exhaust work with each other. There's a reason most of the top head porters have degrees in fluid dynamics and physics.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 22
From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
Yea for $1500 your not going to get very much and what you might get could be worse than stock. Ported heads don't change drive ability. In my opinion head porting isn't a place you want to take chances. The exhaust port is tricky with the egr humps in them and don't have that much material to work with either. You also have to have the intake and exhaust work with each other. There's a reason most of the top head porters have degrees in fluid dynamics and physics.
.....And my friends that do have Phd's in Physics would NEVER touch any of my cars ...
Thread Starter
Member
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Mercedes
Its just crazy what a different world MB is. I had my vette heads done a few years back for a bit over a grand and made some good power with them. At 150 an hour, 1500 would allow for 10 hours of time on the heads. I couldn't imagine porting taking more than 10 hours, but I am no expert. I just know that when my shop sends heads out for a basic reconditioning, they charge us 350 for the pair, and they do guides, seals, valve job, clean and test for leaks, and set spring heights, etc. I guess with porting you are paying for the R&D/experience of the porter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Reno, NV
2004 sl55
The difference with LSx heads is they have done the R&D and perfected a port design over hundreds and hundreds of heads. In our case we are still paying for the R&D and that takes a lot more time than the actual porting. I'm sure if we had 100+ guys who were willing to go in on ported heads the price would drop quite a bit. Factor in to that custom valves (I'm assuming we can't use any off-the-shelf valve?) and you can see how it adds up quickly. I'm budgeting ~3500-4000 for my heads.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Northern Va
Dirt Scooters
The difference with LSx heads is they have done the R&D and perfected a port design over hundreds and hundreds of heads. In our case we are still paying for the R&D and that takes a lot more time than the actual porting. I'm sure if we had 100+ guys who were willing to go in on ported heads the price would drop quite a bit. Factor in to that custom valves (I'm assuming we can't use any off-the-shelf valve?) and you can see how it adds up quickly. I'm budgeting ~3500-4000 for my heads.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 7
From: Northern Va
Dirt Scooters
Its just crazy what a different world MB is. I had my vette heads done a few years back for a bit over a grand and made some good power with them. At 150 an hour, 1500 would allow for 10 hours of time on the heads. I couldn't imagine porting taking more than 10 hours, but I am no expert. I just know that when my shop sends heads out for a basic reconditioning, they charge us 350 for the pair, and they do guides, seals, valve job, clean and test for leaks, and set spring heights, etc. I guess with porting you are paying for the R&D/experience of the porter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 7
From: Northern Va
Dirt Scooters
I know what you mean but i know 3 of the best head porters out there and they all went back to school to learn everything they could about fluid dynamics. Are biggest downfall with our heads is the exhaust port and the lack of material so it takes a skilled person that knows what he's doing to get the most out of it. Thats where someone that really knows what hes doing can get the most out of what he has to work with.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
1. WHY would you check EVERY spring pressure in an engine reving below 7K? Sure it doesn't hurt, but it is OVERKILL, IMHO. New springs really only needed checked on a tension meter, as the installed height will NOT vary that much. In general.
2. Why would you adjust everyone as small differences make NO difference in low revving engines? AKA there is NO performance to be had here if they are out 10-20 pounds per spring, which the odds are they will not be.
I will agree that you guys are in uncharted waters with MB heads. But a head is a head to a engine shop. The flow bench tells all the results, and couldn't careless wether it was a GM, Ford, MB, or Veryon head on it.
PS: My last Ford head, larger valves, cut exhaust out, remove EGR bump, flow test, 5 angle, new valves, seats, guides, seals, was right around $1K.
Just food for thought here. carry on
