good idea? im adding a procharger and dont need/want a major head job. Just want to pick up a little more flow. I am putting a cam in and already have to change rods, valves, seats, rockers, springs, so i figured, why not have the heads ported too. is this a good idea? who does this and how much. vendors welcome.

 

No need to change the rods or rockers.

The stock rockers are just as good as any other rocker out there with the exception of the Jesel stuff or a shaft-mount set.

The rods are good for a ton of horsepower as well.

I'm using the stock rockers on this current 408 and I used the stock bottom-end on my 346ci Procharger setup.

Anyway, yes it's a good idea. More flow via cam/heads = less boost using the same pulley and more power. For example, my old setup had a set of stock ported heads and a small cam, which dropped the boost from 7psi to 5psi, but made around 50rwhp more power. (514rwhp/466rwtq through an auto)

Your best bet is to get the stock heads ported and combustion chambers opened up to reduce compression or simply throw on some LQ9 heads on the car to lower it to around 9.5:1 so that you can run more boost.

Honestly, prepare for something to go sooner or later if you're using the stock pistons. (#7)

Mike

 

my thought was this, have the stock heads ported and re-done Spings valves and such, and have a nice cam. say, 224/228 581/588 114. then, when i get the procharger, i can run with less boost at first so i dont break too mcuh stuff. then i can get forged parts for the bottom end and run higher boost. i would like to end up with 500-550 rwhp and the same tq. with a solid power range from 1500-6500. and after i get a forged bottom end, i can open up the combustion chambers for the added boost. who can i send my heads out to? also, everyone was saying to get new rods if i get a cam. no? how much to have my heads ported and the valves/springs re-done?

 

There's no need to change the connecting rods when doing a cam. I would no longer take advice from the person who told you that.

You're looking at around $1000-1500 for stock head porting which includes springs, pushrods, titanium retainers, valves, etc. There are many other options like I mentioned before and also assembled heads from vendors like Patriot, TSP, etc for $1000.

 

Also, the LS1 even in stock trim doesn't make power from 1500 due to the race-orientated induction system, intake valve angle, etc, so setting that as an attainable goal will prove to be futile in your build unless you went with a cam < 200 degrees duration and advanced the hell out of it (which would be absolutely pointless)

Mike

 

You could keep your budget simple by not wasting time porting the intake's and only the exhausts...with forced induction it really doesn't matter what the intakes flow.

 

misunderstanding...i ment push rods not connecting rods. sorry. what is better/can hold more. sending my stock ones out, or buying assembled? do the head kits come with a cam?

as for the 1500rpm range...i just ment i wanted an even gain through the entire range, not just high or low.

 

Yes. Pushrods.

I'd get some assembled ones for cheap with an FI setup. Typically they don't come with a camshaft, but I'm sure there are ones that do.

I'd give Futral Motorsports a call and talk to them if you're still unsure.

www.futralmotorsports.com

 

thank you. i will. im still young, so this is a budget car. later in life ill go top of the line. :-)

 

Maybe they meant push rods?

If you know you're going to go SC, then I'd start building the engine for that instead of getting a NA cam and heads. Look at grind designed

 

It'll usually boil down to cost vs. HP. If you want more HP, it's going to cost you. I bought my SS with ported stockers (241's) and was fine with the numbers it put down. Would I throw a set of $2K+ AFR's on it for another 15hp? No. There are bigger fish to fry (ie the drivetrain) for now...

 

exactly. i dont need the fastest ls1 camaro ever. i just want a strong 500/550 hp car that i can drive on the street. i.e. the supercharger will allow that. but while im upgrading the cam, i might as well upgrade my heads a bit.

 

So call a local shop and get a quote. There has to be a few speed shops in NJ with some LS1 CNC experience. If not, shoot me a PM and I'll give you the phone number for the shop that the previous owner used.

 

there is a place in town. ill give them a call. any recamendations for parts?

also, stupid question, but what does CNC stand for?

 

computer numerical control