Ebay CNC'd LS1 heads: anyone seen these?
11-07-2012, 04:01 PM
#1
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Indianapolis/Louisville
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Ebay CNC'd LS1 heads: anyone seen these? Opinions on these heads? CNC'd 243's for 600ish seems way to good to be true doesnt it?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290723245360...84.m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290723245360...84.m1438.l2649
11-07-2012, 04:39 PM
#4
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Indianapolis/Louisville
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Just because they are on ebay doesn't automatically make them crap, it just means there is a higher probability of it being crap, hence my asking opinions on here... Oh, thanks for your post that was absolutely useless tainted.
Ws6, I agree, without seeing the work I wouldn't chance these.. I sent a message asking for more info, and pictures of their process, to satisfy my curiosity at least.
Ws6, I agree, without seeing the work I wouldn't chance these.. I sent a message asking for more info, and pictures of their process, to satisfy my curiosity at least.
11-07-2012, 04:58 PM
#5
Just because they are on ebay doesn't automatically make them crap, it just means there is a higher probability of it being crap, hence my asking opinions on here... Oh, thanks for your post that was absolutely useless tainted.
Ws6, I agree, without seeing the work I wouldn't chance these.. I sent a message asking for more info, and pictures of their process, to satisfy my curiosity at least.
Ws6, I agree, without seeing the work I wouldn't chance these.. I sent a message asking for more info, and pictures of their process, to satisfy my curiosity at least.
TEA/TSP/AI/Patriot etc didnt start out as "known" porters. People need to get their start somewhere.
Someone just has to buy them and try them out. You never know...
If I had a engine dyno, I would slap them on and check them out. If they suck, send them back.
11-07-2012, 05:18 PM
#6
That's right, as long as you have a good cnc program there is no margin for error they way hand porting goes. They are 700 which is a good deal, BUT they said the casting is done in house which is odd...I don't why they wouldn't just port 243 cores. Seems suspicious but now we need someone to buy a pair and flow them on the flow bench to actually see what's what bc I don't believe and manufacturer flow claims til I see idependant testing...
11-07-2012, 05:42 PM
#7
Just because they are on ebay doesn't automatically make them crap, it just means there is a higher probability of it being crap, hence my asking opinions on here... Oh, thanks for your post that was absolutely useless tainted.
Ws6, I agree, without seeing the work I wouldn't chance these.. I sent a message asking for more info, and pictures of their process, to satisfy my curiosity at least.
Ws6, I agree, without seeing the work I wouldn't chance these.. I sent a message asking for more info, and pictures of their process, to satisfy my curiosity at least.
Just imagine what sort of program/time effort and R&D was put into a set of CNC ported heads with a price tag of $700 or whatever it is for the pair. One thing ive learned about messing with cars is cheaper is not always cheaper in the end. Why dont you Buy them and report back? Or someone give them a call and report back?
Im willing to bet those things don't even flow close to the numbers advertised.
Trending Topics
11-07-2012, 06:23 PM
#9
Where does it say their 243s? New or used castings? Seems sketchy because if their new or used castings figure $400 for used 243s and $700 for new ones. How good could the CNC work be for that price? I realize everyone has to start from somewhere but for that price it doesnt seem right. Flow #'s arent everything but theirs arent good either..
11-07-2012, 07:58 PM
#14
11-07-2012, 09:38 PM
#15
You pays your money, and you takes your chances.
I didn't look at the ad on ebay, but if they're the heads with the complete valvetrain, & cnc'd, divide up the $600 into all of the components.
Let's say $200 for bare heads, $200 for valvetrain, & $200 for cnc & valvejob. There has to be some skimping there. Imo, if I'm going to spend $600, I'd rather spend $1200 and get a decent set of used heads.
I didn't look at the ad on ebay, but if they're the heads with the complete valvetrain, & cnc'd, divide up the $600 into all of the components.
Let's say $200 for bare heads, $200 for valvetrain, & $200 for cnc & valvejob. There has to be some skimping there. Imo, if I'm going to spend $600, I'd rather spend $1200 and get a decent set of used heads.
11-08-2012, 07:22 AM
#18
Tell that to the guys who had troubles with Castech heads.
Good CNC equipment isn't cheap so while you are right they could buy a decent head and try to copy it the overhead of machine purchase and operation still makes this price too good to be true.
11-08-2012, 08:10 AM
#19
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Intersting Link (Hotrod). I compared the numbers of the stock heads to those found here: http://www.smokemup.com/tech/ls1.php and the stock heads in the article flowed more.
As for CNC work, this could be someone who does this on the side as opposed to a shop trying to make a huge profit. I *had* free access to a 5-axis Mazak Intergrex 300. As someone said, there is time involved with developing the program, but with software packages out now (SolidWorks, SolidEdge, etc), once you get it right, you can keep pumping them out. That's the beauty of CNC. If you have access to the equipment, it can be done for *cheap*.
I know a guy who uses his shops CNC at night for 'lights out' machining - and he makes one part a night for his own use, which he sells on the side. Similiar case here is possible.
As someone else mentioned, reverse engineering is becoming easier and easier. Portable CMM arms, such as Romer, offer realistic results when your tolerances are not that tight (+/-.003”), which still beats the repeatability and reliability of hand porting. I would have to see the heads in person before judging.
As for CNC work, this could be someone who does this on the side as opposed to a shop trying to make a huge profit. I *had* free access to a 5-axis Mazak Intergrex 300. As someone said, there is time involved with developing the program, but with software packages out now (SolidWorks, SolidEdge, etc), once you get it right, you can keep pumping them out. That's the beauty of CNC. If you have access to the equipment, it can be done for *cheap*.
I know a guy who uses his shops CNC at night for 'lights out' machining - and he makes one part a night for his own use, which he sells on the side. Similiar case here is possible.
As someone else mentioned, reverse engineering is becoming easier and easier. Portable CMM arms, such as Romer, offer realistic results when your tolerances are not that tight (+/-.003”), which still beats the repeatability and reliability of hand porting. I would have to see the heads in person before judging.