View Poll Results: To do or not to do the heads - that is the question???
Do the heads!!!!
12
100.00%
Leave it alone and save the time/money!!!!!
0
0%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll
Need Honest Opinions? To do the Heads or Not?
01-07-2012, 09:52 PM
#1
Need Honest Opinions? To do the Heads or Not? Guys,
I'm really struggling with this decision and can't make up my mind. I currently have a 383 LT1 with the older AFR190 heads running with a custom cam from LE (230/236 on a 108lsa) with 10.5 comp ratio. I have thought about sending them off to LE and have him port them out and add bigger intake valves to help them flow over 300cfm. With those numbers this cam will perform much better and breathe the way it should. I will also have him port my intake to match it up and mill the heads to bump the comp ratio to 11.5. The question I have is it worth it? I don't race the car, don't spray it and don't want to do FI. The car is just a fun cruiser on the weekends. I've just wanted to get better out of this motor N/A and I'm currently sitting at 380-390 rwhp. With these upgrades I should be easily at 450ish at the wheels. Give me your honest opinions as I just can't seem to make up my mind on this one. Thanks guys.
I'm really struggling with this decision and can't make up my mind. I currently have a 383 LT1 with the older AFR190 heads running with a custom cam from LE (230/236 on a 108lsa) with 10.5 comp ratio. I have thought about sending them off to LE and have him port them out and add bigger intake valves to help them flow over 300cfm. With those numbers this cam will perform much better and breathe the way it should. I will also have him port my intake to match it up and mill the heads to bump the comp ratio to 11.5. The question I have is it worth it? I don't race the car, don't spray it and don't want to do FI. The car is just a fun cruiser on the weekends. I've just wanted to get better out of this motor N/A and I'm currently sitting at 380-390 rwhp. With these upgrades I should be easily at 450ish at the wheels. Give me your honest opinions as I just can't seem to make up my mind on this one. Thanks guys.
01-08-2012, 01:07 AM
#7
I agree i dont think you will see 450rwhp with some ported LE heads and that cam your running. I think if you had your AFRs ported you would likely see in the 420ish range. If your dead set on making that goal id look into doing a full AI 200cc package which has been proven and will definetly get you there if matched properly. All up to what you want out of the car.
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01-08-2012, 04:22 PM
#10
I agree i dont think you will see 450rwhp with some ported LE heads and that cam your running. I think if you had your AFRs ported you would likely see in the 420ish range. If your dead set on making that goal id look into doing a full AI 200cc package which has been proven and will definetly get you there if matched properly. All up to what you want out of the car.
All he has to do is have his heads ported, work the intake over, and get a new cam. Just the headwork will probably get you in that 425 range, and a new cam will take you the rest of the way. That's 450rwhp all day if he can stomach a larger cam.
It won't be as cheap as you expect when you add in the incidentals and supporting mods like intake porting, gaskets and fluids, and a new tune...but it's not your first build so I'm sure you know what it feels like to go over budget already
.
01-08-2012, 05:25 PM
#11
Doesn't make sense AT ALL to ditch what he has now for the AI 200 kit.
All he has to do is have his heads ported, work the intake over, and get a new cam. Just the headwork will probably get you in that 425 range, and a new cam will take you the rest of the way. That's 450rwhp all day if he can stomach a larger cam.
It won't be as cheap as you expect when you add in the incidentals and supporting mods like intake porting, gaskets and fluids, and a new tune...but it's not your first build so I'm sure you know what it feels like to go over budget already.
All he has to do is have his heads ported, work the intake over, and get a new cam. Just the headwork will probably get you in that 425 range, and a new cam will take you the rest of the way. That's 450rwhp all day if he can stomach a larger cam.
It won't be as cheap as you expect when you add in the incidentals and supporting mods like intake porting, gaskets and fluids, and a new tune...but it's not your first build so I'm sure you know what it feels like to go over budget already
.Port Work - Heads - $600
New Larger Intake Valves - $175
Port Work - Intake - $200
New Push Rods - $100-150
New Intake Gaskets - $30
New Head Gaskets - $50
Fluids - $30-40
Dyno Tune - $450
I appreciate your input and keep it coming as I still am uncertain.
01-09-2012, 07:41 AM
#12
Doesn't make sense AT ALL to ditch what he has now for the AI 200 kit.
All he has to do is have his heads ported, work the intake over, and get a new cam. Just the headwork will probably get you in that 425 range, and a new cam will take you the rest of the way. That's 450rwhp all day if he can stomach a larger cam.
It won't be as cheap as you expect when you add in the incidentals and supporting mods like intake porting, gaskets and fluids, and a new tune...but it's not your first build so I'm sure you know what it feels like to go over budget already.
All he has to do is have his heads ported, work the intake over, and get a new cam. Just the headwork will probably get you in that 425 range, and a new cam will take you the rest of the way. That's 450rwhp all day if he can stomach a larger cam.
It won't be as cheap as you expect when you add in the incidentals and supporting mods like intake porting, gaskets and fluids, and a new tune...but it's not your first build so I'm sure you know what it feels like to go over budget already
.If you have a solid 383 bottom-end build, your current top end is holding you back from really enjoying it.
01-09-2012, 08:44 AM
#13
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01-09-2012, 08:59 AM
#14
Thanks man, and I really appreciate everyone's input. However, I think I'm going to table this plan as the slight gain is really not worth the expense or time due to the main fact I don't race the car as it's just a weekend cruiser. I think I'm going to focus my efferts elsewhere and make some slight upgrades to the brakes as I've never been happy with the brakes on this car .
.
I'm sure it's no slouch in the power department for the street anyway.
Enjoy it!
01-09-2012, 09:56 AM
#17
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Do you know what your heads flow now?
And after porting them what they will flow?
Are you going to do springs and a cam as well? How many miles are on your springs now? I would say at the very least to port the intake and heads. But I would change the cam as well since everything would be upgraded. Maybe an le3 cam it similar.
And after porting them what they will flow?
Are you going to do springs and a cam as well? How many miles are on your springs now? I would say at the very least to port the intake and heads. But I would change the cam as well since everything would be upgraded. Maybe an le3 cam it similar.
01-09-2012, 11:03 AM
#18
I bet he would pick up big time by porting his heads and running a real cam...but I'm sure you'd disagree based purely on the brand parts he is using.
01-09-2012, 11:22 AM
#19
I would agree the cam is a little small for a 383 and the as cast AFRs were not a good choice.
Beyond that I said what I meant about wanting to see how closely bench racing and reality match eachother. Then I would like to see track mph back up the dyno.
Beyond that I said what I meant about wanting to see how closely bench racing and reality match eachother. Then I would like to see track mph back up the dyno.
01-09-2012, 11:24 AM
#20
Sorry bud, going to table this idea as I stated I'm really not into racing just wanted to improve the potential of this combo. Also, the AFR190's were a good choice for the motor when it was built up back in 98-99 as there wasn't many options back then. I've had them on there for over 13 years now.