Looking for DIY 799 Head Porting Advice
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From: Royal Oak, Mi
Looking for DIY 799 Head Porting Advice I picked up a set of 799 heads for real cheap and figured I'd mess around porting them this winter before installing them. I've read enough to know that you can definitely make the heads worse if you don't know what you're doing. I've searched the forums a bit and can't find any single thread that has a lot of info/detail and was wondering if anyone had any helpful links. I was able to find a post that mentioned looking at the guide posted on youtube by "AGearHead4Life". Any other pointers would be greatly appreciated!
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From: Central Cal.
Start with doing a bowl blend. Get rid of the ridge below the valve seat and just blend it in. That is 80% of a good porting job.
Besides that just get rid of any casting zits or obvious irregularities.
If you look at most mild port jobs you will see huge untouched areas inside the port. The idea is a smooth path. Taking out too much slows the flow.
Besides that just get rid of any casting zits or obvious irregularities.
If you look at most mild port jobs you will see huge untouched areas inside the port. The idea is a smooth path. Taking out too much slows the flow.
There are some very detailed videos on youtube. This is one of the few I watched that is detailed on how to and why. It's good series.
Last edited by LLLosingit; Dec 9, 2019 at 07:41 PM.
Katech offers a CNC only option for $499 https://katechengines.com/i-30497874...eads-pair.html
Another member sent some 853's out and did a review. https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...atech-cnc.html
If your dead set on DIY here you go.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ng-sticky.html
Another member sent some 853's out and did a review. https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...atech-cnc.html
If your dead set on DIY here you go.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ng-sticky.html
Last edited by 1FastBrick; Jul 31, 2025 at 12:40 AM. Reason: Updated Katech link
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There are some very detailed videos on youtube. This is one of the few I watched that is detailed on how to and why. It's good series. 243/799 Heads Porting Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 2
Step 3
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Verdad Gallardo
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Vancouver area, West coast Canada
Katech offers a CNC only option for $499 https://store.katechengines.com/cyli...ices-c101.aspx
Another member sent some 853's out and did a reveiw. https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...atech-cnc.html
If your dead set on DIY here you go.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ng-sticky.html
Another member sent some 853's out and did a reveiw. https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...atech-cnc.html
If your dead set on DIY here you go.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ng-sticky.html
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
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From: Central Cal.
I tried finding it on their site, The cheapest I saw was $804.99 for stage 1 with customer supplied cores not $500, I asked because I already searched thier site and didn't find the listing.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 603
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From: Royal Oak, Mi
Damn, that Katech deal is tempting! I would probably need to buy about $100 in tools/material and then dedicate 30-40 hrs to get it done if I DIY. Katech is less than 30 mins from where I live so I guess I have some thinking to do.
Katechs programs are proven.
Either way DIY or CNC, you want to get a good valve job.
On The Tree
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What are your goals? To learn, practice, and gain experience? Deciding on which is the cheapest route to a nicely done set of heads? If you're just wanting the experience and to learn, go for it yourself. If you already have a grinder, all you need is a few burrs, a few stones, and some cartridge rolls. Well under $100. Read a lot (Vizard the Wizard has some great info online) watch a lot of videos, and go at it. It's fun, and it's a great way to further your knowledge. And won't take 30-40 hours to "clean up" a set of heads. Just be aware to you won't get "pro, cnc" type results. But for under half the price, you can get 70% of the results. You'll still need a valve job when you're finished (I'd do it before you port, but be VERY careful around it). If you just want a great set of heads and don't mind spending a few bucks, shop around and send them off. Head porting prices have come down drastically from the days of old, so there's some great deals out there. When shopping prices, add up everything from each site. Ws6store posted in a thread somewhere about one company (I don't remember who) who's "ancillaries", all added in, just about equaled the cost of just buying good aftermarket heads. So shop smart. But doing it yourself is fun. Just don't "helicopter" a burr.