Is it worth porting stock 806 casting heads.
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So I'm prepping for a cam swap and was thinking of replacing the lifters and while the heads would be off I was wondering if it is worth porting the stock 806 casting, last I cheked the owner of the local machine shop told me he would clean up the intake and the exhaust runnners and clean up the bowls for 150.00 since we go way back and he's always done my work. He also said he would even put them before and after on a flow bench so is there any ponies to be had doing this to the stockers thanks.![Ban !!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/ban.gif)
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#2
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806 castings are the worst heads put on an ls1. You would be better off just picking up a stock set of 241 rather then bothering touching the 806s. SHould be able to find 241s for 100 bucks.
then get him to touch up the 241s for 150 and youll see a pretty good gain.
then get him to touch up the 241s for 150 and youll see a pretty good gain.
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OddJack (03-29-2024)
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The main reason people avoid 806 heads is the perimeter valve cover and the direct mount to valve cover ignition coils. If ported properly they should be comparable to other ported OEM heads.
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Yes it's worth it.
I would say its not worth it to buy 241s, if you are going to BUY heads to port get 799/243 ls6 type heads.
Buying ls1 heads when you already have a set is a waste. Plus you would need coils/brackets, valve covers for the new center bolt design. Waste of money.
I would say its not worth it to buy 241s, if you are going to BUY heads to port get 799/243 ls6 type heads.
Buying ls1 heads when you already have a set is a waste. Plus you would need coils/brackets, valve covers for the new center bolt design. Waste of money.
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OddJack (03-29-2024)
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i would def. replace the lifter I'm regretting that i didn't after my cam swap and sure enough a month later i have horrible lifter noise and i have to tear it down again. i was also tossing around the idea of porting my stock heads but i believe they r the 853 casting which if I'm not mistaking are the sand cast heads you guys think it be worth porting them out?
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#8
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A ported ls1 head is a ported ls1 head no matter the casting if they get the same port work.
The sand cast heads are just shittier stock due to rough casting, but once porting has smoothed everything out they are equal.
If you want centerbolt covers and rail mounted coils would be the only reason to switch. If you like the idea of being sneaky, the stock heads will keep people from knowing the engine's been busted open for go fast goodies.
If you bother to pull the heads, get them milled or at least a thinner gasket for more compression. It's cheap HP.
The sand cast heads are just shittier stock due to rough casting, but once porting has smoothed everything out they are equal.
If you want centerbolt covers and rail mounted coils would be the only reason to switch. If you like the idea of being sneaky, the stock heads will keep people from knowing the engine's been busted open for go fast goodies.
If you bother to pull the heads, get them milled or at least a thinner gasket for more compression. It's cheap HP.
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Early perimeter V/C heads have a casting notch on the exhaust side of the
deck surface that requires a specific gasket (right hand;left hand) in order
to seal properly.
Some have had shops weld this small area in prior to milling and then can use
MLS style gaskets to tighten up the quench for more compression/power.
deck surface that requires a specific gasket (right hand;left hand) in order
to seal properly.
Some have had shops weld this small area in prior to milling and then can use
MLS style gaskets to tighten up the quench for more compression/power.
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806 heads work just fine. John @ Speartech used them on one of his projects.
As Thunderstruck said, there is flash on the runners, comb chambers, bowls.
You can smooth these out yourself, as I did.
One thing to be concerned with, is if you are going to do extensive porting around the valve guides, within the runners...it can be difficult to give the same/equal roundness by hand.
For this reason, in the future, I'll be sending them out to whichever sponsor can accomplish this at the least cost.
As Thunderstruck said, there is flash on the runners, comb chambers, bowls.
You can smooth these out yourself, as I did.
One thing to be concerned with, is if you are going to do extensive porting around the valve guides, within the runners...it can be difficult to give the same/equal roundness by hand.
For this reason, in the future, I'll be sending them out to whichever sponsor can accomplish this at the least cost.
Last edited by gMAG; 05-27-2012 at 11:26 AM.
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ok, so if i go from my stock 806 heads to some cheap 241 heads and decent cam, it would be a step in the right direction? im trying to keep my CR to 10.1 for low boost operations. but not really digging the 9 cr range that 317 heads give. and not really trying to mill the crap out of heads for CR. A nice polishing is all im really looking for.
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changing stock ls1 heads for any other stock ls1 heads, there isn't enough gain to even justify the cost of the fluid change (much less bolts, gaskets, and long hours)
ported heads or 243/799s or bust (and plenty would even argue stock 243/799 are barely worth the effort/cost)