I am looking for a port and polish job for my LT1 Heads. I would really like Lloyd Elliot to do this....but sending these heads out to Texas would probably be a small fortune. I have a performance shop hear that I called. They installed my gears last season. My question is....what should I ask for? What price is too much for a port and polish? Should I ask for a 3 angle valve job? I am looking to run an aggressive setup that is streetable.....I just need some advice so I dont sound like a jackass when I call this guy tomorrow. Thanks for any info you guys can provide me.

 

If you're just after the average job, then there should be plenty of shops local to you that can get that done. For alot of guys it's nice to stick with the local incase they ever need immediate help . I'd tell the guys your power goals first & see what they recommend regarding porting. As far as machinework goes, you'll need a 3+ angle VJ (and whatever valve prep they suggest), maybe replacing/honing bronze guides or liners depending on the condition of yours, decking, probably opening up the spring seats to accept a hardened locator, and possibly machining guides down to run a better seal.

 

Shouldn't cost you more than $30-$35 to send them down there. That's well worth the price IMO for a reputable experienced LT1 aluminum head porter.

 

Yeah, probably $35ish to ship & a bit more on return shipping with insurance. The LT1 stuff is just SBC however, nothin' out of the ordinary .

 

No way man, as soon as the post office sees "LT1", they're going to automatically inflate the prices just like most every other company does just because the parts are for an LT1

BTW, I should have your Money Order out this week.

 

LOL.. Oh, sure that should be... wait, did you say LT...1?

I'll let you know when it shows up, Dave

 

The LT1 design isn't like an ordinary SBC design either, there's nothing special about them as such, but they are not the same design.

I was told by Morgan's Machine & Marine, who does numerous boat racing engines and NHRA Division 7 engines, that the basic design is "actually quite nice" and has a raised D port design on the exhaust, they smoothed out the intake and intake ports on the head as well as the exhaust ports for about $300, not too shabby.