210e55

Anyone with first hand experience know of a good porter? Also, any benefit to going w larger valves on these motors? Any input is appreciated.

vipermike

+1

Toadster

I think e55amgrocket has done some head work - either that or totally different heads?

blackbenzz

Both E55amgrocket and I have ported heads with PTE cams. If you don't already know he has run 10.5 @over 130 and has the current quickest and fastest E55.

210e55

Where did you get them done?

blackbenzz

We have a local guy that's really good

e55amgrocket

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.

210e55

Can you pm me his contact info? I would like to get my heads done while ive already got my block apart.

Thanks

GT-ER

e55amgrocket is selling his heads.

BenJ

Total performance in San Diego. Talk to Greg.

209sl55

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.

e55amgrocket

Exactly. Porting a head isn't just cutting loose with a grinder and taking material out. I looked at a set he was porting after another place ported a guys CNC SBF heads and they looked good to me but he showed me 10 different things that were wrong and why the guy lost power after porting them and what he needed to do to fix them. Porting heads is a science and all about physics so that's why I say to be very careful who you use. I'm lucky to have a prior relationship with him from racing for him to even do these heads and spend the time he has figuring them out and what works best. A good head porter/engine builder goes a long ways P They aren't the cheapest but when it comes to head porting you get what you pay for.

cij911

There are a ton of very good options...how much do you want to spend and what are you looking to accomplish are two good starting points...

210e55

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.

cij911

Well at $1500 I am guessing you are just talking about a valve job and no porting or flow work....I would call Port Flow and see if they would be interested http://www.portflow.com/frame.htm

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

e55amgrocket

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.

cij911

Hmmmm I agree about the challenges and value, but not sure any porters I know have degrees in Physics .....And my friends that do have Phd's in Physics would NEVER touch any of my cars ...

210e55

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

209sl55

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.

210e55

Yep, thats probably it

e55amgrocket

Exactly!!! I had some nasty LSX heads done for my 440LSX build a few years ago and he already had a head profile and just popped them in the CNC machine.

e55amgrocket

The average time on porting the head is at least 10 hours per head.Then there is time for a good valve job, new valve seals and checking/adjusting spring pressure. Not many people take the time to check everything.

e55amgrocket

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.

blackbenzz

Looks like I might be selling my ported heads and PTE cams shortly if anyone local (md/dc/va) is interested

MRAMG1

Hey rocket you know I usually agree with you my friend. But I have to ask a few questions here.

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