ok i know this is a head question but its for my boost applicatioon so i posted it here instead of elsewhere...

im lookin for the LQ9 heads people use for boost...now theres two casting for the LQ9 heads but i know the casting ends in "317"...Are the "317's" in general the ones i WANT for boost?..if i remember correctly the casting number between the TWO LQ9 heads are 12526317 and then there is 12527317 there is only one # difference in them, both the same??

anyways yea i found some of these cheap and would like to know if its easier to buy these bare cheap($250 for both) and build/port them (with 2.02/1.6 valves etc) or buy nice LQ9's already assembled, where do they sell modified LQ9' heads???

SORRY FOR so many questions THANKS in advance!!!!!!!!

 

If you can buy them for 250 bare do it then you can build them right for your app. But befor You do it have them inspected by a sponser on this sight. There are many here who can help you also, Port and polish are nice IMO but not nessary for FI somebody will chime in IM no expert
(cant spell too)

 

By the time you have them ported, new valves installed, valvesprings installed, etc, you would be money ahead to buy the LQ9 heads that Patriot Performance sells. I have them listed on my website. Both the stage 2 and the stage 3 heads sell for approx $1,300.00. These heads come with titanium retainers, good valvesprings, and we have found them to make good power. Many of the builds in the project car section of my website use the Patriot heads. Bob

 

Confused on valve size.for a 6.0 or ls2 type build up what valve size would be best..2.05, 2.02 or 2.08?

 

WORDS of WISDOM no doubt, I agree 1000%!

 

I don't know... I guess it depends on what you want. If you have the time and patience to shop around for deals, you can do it cheaper. I bought my 317 heads for $325 shipped, priced out a disassembly/cleaning/valve job/cleaning/reassembly for $150 from a local reputable machine shop, and bought lightly run Comp Cams 918 springs and titanium retainers off this site for $200... that's a total of $675. That's about half the price of the Patriot heads. I was considering doing a light polish myself... and I couldn't see the cost of that running me more than $50 in abrasives for my die grinder. For a street FI project, I think it's important that you just cover the basics... a good valve job and some stiffer springs. I am also on a budget, so I'm willing to compromise on newness of the parts and the fact they won't be ported, which is fine for my objectives.