Would porting the stock heads on my LG4 yield any significant performance increase? How much does it usually cost to get heads ported?

 

If you have headers, exhaust, and are willing to get a cam to match the flow of the heads, then yes. You can port them yourself for less than $100, if you are willing to do some work and research. If you pay someone to do it, the price varies. But expect to pay at least $400-$500, in which case it may be a better idea to go with a cheap aftermarket head like a World Torquer 305.

 

Doing any work on the 305 that isn't free or VERY cheap doesn't make any sense. The gains you will get from spending the money will be very small. Had you spent the money on a 350 you would be much better off. My advice would be to find a 350 buildable core and whenever you feel like spending money on the 305 buy a part for the 350. It might take you a year to get it together but it will be a great learning expreience and you will have a lot more pride.

 

I'd agree with Stiers. Save up for the 350 or 383 parts and put them all on when you are ready. 305s are harder to mod so unless you have some perverse reason why it has to be a 305 under the hood, go with a 350 or a stroker 383

 

Well, I dont have any money anymore cuz there is nowhere to work around here w/out a car/liscense..
So my 305 is my only option.
I am 16, so I need not a 120+mph car in the 1/4.
280, maybe 300 hp will be perfect for me, as well as 300, maybe a lil more, torque.
After my exahaust (plus headers), Carb, Intake, Cam, and lifters, I should EASILY be in the 300hp/tq range.
I am just wondering if head porting would be worth it, or just getting like L98 heads, or LT1 heads, or something would be better.

 

I really dont mean to sound like a jerk but you will not be at 300 HP on a 305 TBI with those upgrades. The heads are junk and do not flow worth a squat. And by throwing a cam with more lift than stock and a larger intake and carb it will not feel that good. Your best bet is to go to the aftermarket and buy a set of heads if you plan on keeping the 305.

Trust me, I have been down the same route. I was thinking...man I am going to make this 305 run since I have no money. Now I have a 350 sitting in the garage with a cam, crank, rods, etc. waiting on some pistons and then it is off to be machined. I am going to be spending right at $1500 for the entire thing and it will yeild me 350-400 rwhp (I hope).

Since you have no money I would really do a lot of research before you go buying parts hoping for the best, also ask a lot of questions.

 

A common mistake people make is they buy so and so's cam, Joe's Intake, sam's heads etc. Look at what the faster people are running and try shoot for the same system as they are using.

 

It is a Rochester Quadrajet 4bbl, not TBI.

What about other year Camaro heads? L98? LT1? Are these heads any good or portable to make them good?

Waaaay to much for me.. but, since I need a new exhaust system anyways, I am going w/ Hi-FLow cat, Flow's, Headers, etc.. so it really isn't a waste, just a neccesity to get the car going.

I mostly deffinently going to try to do my research, which is what I am attempting to do right now.

I am not just throwing stuff together, I am trying to match everything up.. such as making sure everything runs in the same RPM band, etc..

 

You can get some junkyard 305 heads (601, 416 or 081 castings) for about $30 and port and polish them to make excellent power for cheap. About $400 all told, and that includes everything.

Follow the link at the end of my sig.

By the way, Chevy High Performance is doing a 305 TBI buildup on a 3rd gen in this month's issue, and are already approaching 300 hp.

 

What heads does my 305 have then? Whats the diff.?

I have been following this, actually.. rather interesting.

 

Probably nothing. You likely have 416 heads which will work perfectly well for a home port and polish. It is just nicer and more convenient to work on a set other than the ones on your car, if it is your daily driver.

 

The thing is, the build-up they were doing is costing them a crap load of money. Not many people can do what they are doing in their garage. If you are looking at that much money then just go larger.

Ok I understand that $1500 is a lot of money. How much is your budget?

I think the exhaust is the best thing to do but one thing to think about when it comes to headers is, will up upgrade to a 350 later? If, yes, then going to small tubes will only hinder you or if you aren't planning on doing it for a while then just go for the 1 5/8"

The LT1 heads will not match up without some major work done to them and you might as will buy ones that are made for the car. The L98 might work but you are probably better off doing what Sitting Bull said, those will be a lot cheaper than L98 heads.

 

Well, the car is sitting in my dads g/f's garage.. it is not on the road yet. HOPEFULLY next summer it will be ready to rip the streets up, I am trying to get everything done to it now, b4 I have no money after I get it on the road.

WEll.. were I live.. there is almost NO-WHERE to work.. so I have not a job any more, since I got stupid and quit Tops.. I have not had a job for about 5-months or so now.. my budget is ZERO..

Deffinently.. since I need an exhaust to be street legal anyways.. why not just go w/ a performance exhaust.

I am working on getting 1/5" mid-tubes now.. a friend might be giving me his off of his IROC.. he occasionaly looks this board over, maybe he will see my post.

I went to Machine Shop at my BOCES today.. they said that depending on "certain things", they can port, and do other assorted things w/ my heads. When asked about cost.. the teacher replied "Buy us a Pizza....... Maybe 2".. so I might be in good shape regarding that part of my "head-journey".

But as for budget.. I figure next summer, after I graduate, I will take a 3k loan out, and get the car going.. buying all neccesities.. this is after I find a job in another town, that is.

 

DOn't recall the price, and I am a lil too busy to look right now. You know it off the top of your head?

 

lg4 heads are really ****ty. if you'd wanna port 305 heads, start off with LB9 heads. these are better, but my vote goes to slapping 350 heads on there. they'll feed the 305 just fine