Home porting LS1 heads
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,911
Likes: 1,158
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Home porting LS1 heads I have ported around 6 sets of LT1 heads in the past, about to do another set in the next week or so. I get good numbers out of the heads, so I know what I am doing, I just never have ported ANYTHING but standard small block chevy style heads. What I am curious about is what sorts of things I need to look out for when porting LS1 heads. Typically on LT1 heads, I raise the port roof, narrow the valve guide bosses, and blend the bowls. I know on LS1 heads I don't need to do anything with the port roof, but will I see good gains narrowing the guide bosses and blending the bowls? Also, I'm planning on buying a pair of take off heads to do this work to, which casting numbers would be the best to work with? Thanks in advance!
Originally Posted by LS1Formulation
which casting numbers would be the best to work with?
I hope I can help. I've ported several LT1 heads and to many to count LS1/LS6/5.3/6.0 heads. I have a complete set of test heads which have been cut and drilled so I know the specific depth of all the walls/floors etc. It sounds like you have the right idea. LT1's are different in several areas. Really they are not the same animal. Totally different. LS1 casting has different thickness and varies with each type of head, so you cannot port them the same due to thickness in the walls. It's very easy to hit water in the bowl. If you are porting the late model LS1 (2001 and newer) are better then the 98 style head. If you want specifics pm me and I try to help you out.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,911
Likes: 1,158
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Thanks for the help, those pics helped a lot. I'll be shopping around for some newer LS1 takeoffs to port and hopefully someone will have one junk head laying around so I can practice prior to doing that.
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I had practiced on a junk head before i did my real heads. Bo white and xfactor_pitbulls both have excellent information posted on the site about porting stock heads.
I mostly concentrated on trimming down the guides and rocker bosses, blending the bowls and the seats. I opened up the intake runner sides just a hair. I used sanding rolls just to clean up the whole port afterwards.
I mostly concentrated on trimming down the guides and rocker bosses, blending the bowls and the seats. I opened up the intake runner sides just a hair. I used sanding rolls just to clean up the whole port afterwards.
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