Who should I get to port a set of heads...
09-23-2002, 03:37 PM
#4
Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... I have seen nothing but consistant high performance product come from GTP. Craig at GTP is very helpful and glad to answer any questions for you also. He will soon have my LS6 heads to do his magic on <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
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09-23-2002, 08:41 PM
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Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... Guys, I would say if he went with any of the big guys he would be ok. GTP does have good heads, but I wouldn't say the best. I mean look at ARE's cars! Several in the 9s, a few just .15 away from 8s . No offense but GTP hasn't done that yet. I am not saying GTP is bad , they are awesome!!!!!! But go with reputable shops( ARE, MTI, Cartek, GTP, JPR, MMS, Futral, and many more but these are the ones off the top of my head. When I got my set-up there were some local guys I know that laughed when I spent $2000+ just for ported heads! They said there a shop in Ohio (about 25 miles from me) that " knows their **** and are much cheaper, these guys build 9 second SBCs and stuff" So I said hey more power to ya! Guess what the one guy I know has a 1998 SS M6 with the following: locally ported heads, LPE cam, mac headers, LS6 intake, home ported MAF and throttle body, SPEC stage 3 carbon clutch, 10 bolt rear with 3.42s and ED Wright tuning! This guy the "saved" so much money, and laughed at my ARE heads, just dynoed 353.6RWHP on a dynojet and 359RWTQ a month ago! HAHAHA <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" /> And these heads were what the shop called "POWER HEADS", and he paid $800.00 for the heads. Guess what 5 of the valve spring broke after his 3rd pass on the strip, just 2 weeks after dynoing. By the way his car ran 12.8@110MPH with a 2.0 on et streets. So I would definelty go with a proven package from a proven shopo!!
09-23-2002, 08:48 PM
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Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... I think that GTP has proven there heads work. How many other shops besides MTI have there been cars running in the 10's on just heads and cam packs. Not many that I can remember... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
09-23-2002, 08:58 PM
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Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... I like TEA. I've heard good things (I have their heads) and bad relating to the flow numbers, but ET's don't lie and Brian Tooley has made some heads for seriously fast cars. He's known for Mustang type work, but he's far more experienced in GM stuff. He's also got 20 years in the business, having worked for Holley and playing a major role in some of their systems. For under 2K, they have some pretty serious hardware. For more, it's even better.
09-23-2002, 10:29 PM
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Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... Someone who is LOCAL that knows how to port heads in general....you'd be surprised what a good head porter can do that you've never heard of <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
That way if they mess up or dont put down the numbers you just drive to whoever did them
That way if they mess up or dont put down the numbers you just drive to whoever did them
09-23-2002, 10:32 PM
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Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JimmyKash:
<strong>
That way if they mess up or dont put down the numbers you just drive to whoever did them</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thats all good in theory, but if you get a proven setup right from the start from the right people the only place you'll need to worry about driving to is the drag strip. My heads from thunder racing seemed to fit the bill for me...and this is my 3rd set of LS1 heads. Every year a "new best" comes out on the market...and its because people are learning stuff about LS1 specific head porting and cam choice, which a local oldschool guy will have very little clue about.
These things aren't olschool 350's ya know <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> .
<small>[ September 23, 2002, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: jmX ]</small>
<strong>
That way if they mess up or dont put down the numbers you just drive to whoever did them</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thats all good in theory, but if you get a proven setup right from the start from the right people the only place you'll need to worry about driving to is the drag strip. My heads from thunder racing seemed to fit the bill for me...and this is my 3rd set of LS1 heads. Every year a "new best" comes out on the market...and its because people are learning stuff about LS1 specific head porting and cam choice, which a local oldschool guy will have very little clue about.
These things aren't olschool 350's ya know <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> .
<small>[ September 23, 2002, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: jmX ]</small>
09-23-2002, 11:41 PM
#16
Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... Asked myself the same question a few weeks ago:
I would strongly consider: TEA, GTP, MTI, JPR, & LPE.
I think RGR might deserve a good look too.
I would not consider heads from SLP, MMS, or ARE for my car.
I would not consider heads done my a well meaning but inexperienced (with LS1 stuff) local head porter regardless of cost.
Ordered TEA's FWIW.
I would strongly consider: TEA, GTP, MTI, JPR, & LPE.
I think RGR might deserve a good look too.
I would not consider heads from SLP, MMS, or ARE for my car.
I would not consider heads done my a well meaning but inexperienced (with LS1 stuff) local head porter regardless of cost.
Ordered TEA's FWIW.
09-24-2002, 06:21 PM
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Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... 99 Black Bird why would you say that you wouldn't consider ARE or MMS??? ARE and MTI are the prime innovators for our LS1 power! LPE is ok, but expensive. I haven't seen any H/C F-bodies for LPE that impressed me. I wouldn't go with SLP either, mainly because of cost and SLP likes to steal other shop's designs and mark the price up A LOT. MMS has many fast cars out there, Terry can speak for them. ARE is awesome, to say the least. One problem the ARE has is their location for many people. I just don't feel that my money is worth a chance at maybe getting some good HP. I would rather spend a bit more and get proven power and a company that will stand behind their products. This guy I know that went locally and had major problems, well he is engaging in lawyer combat now. Thats just not worth the aggrevation to me!
09-24-2002, 06:53 PM
#18
Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... I just called TEA and the guy said that he is getting better flow numbers out of the 5.3 truck heads. He also went on to say that they are having a special on heads, if your considering the price is definitely right.
Phillip
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09-24-2002, 07:16 PM
#19
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Re: Who should I get to port a set of heads... </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 14u2nv:
<strong>I mean look at ARE's cars! Several in the 9s, a few just .15 away from 8s . No offense but GTP hasn't done that yet.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah, but how many of ARE's cars are naturally aspirated, stock displacement, etc? Not a flame, they have some fast cars, but the majority of us are looking at a naturally aspirated 346ci Heads/Cam setup.
Tried the local head porting thing by a reputable porter. Then I went with GTPs. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
http://www.fryrice.com/images/GTPvslocal.jpg
Justin
<strong>I mean look at ARE's cars! Several in the 9s, a few just .15 away from 8s . No offense but GTP hasn't done that yet.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah, but how many of ARE's cars are naturally aspirated, stock displacement, etc? Not a flame, they have some fast cars, but the majority of us are looking at a naturally aspirated 346ci Heads/Cam setup.
Tried the local head porting thing by a reputable porter. Then I went with GTPs. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
http://www.fryrice.com/images/GTPvslocal.jpg
Justin