Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

? about heads

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 23, 2003 | 09:53 AM
  #1  
cameroz282k's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Richwood texas
Default ? about heads

ok i have noticed that most places give you a 500 dollar core charge. why is it that if all the heads are worth is 500 dollars that they charge nearly 2000 dollars (in some places) for worked over heads the parts for valves,guides,springs and retainers only comes out to like 600 bucks then the heads are worth 500 bucks so thats 1100 so is the labor and man hours that great that it cast 900bucks in some (not all) cases i was just wondering so please give me your thoughts on this
Reply
Old May 23, 2003 | 10:50 AM
  #2  
1stgenguy's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Default Re: ? about heads

I ported a set of big block iron heads before and let me tell you it was not fun. I had access to a flow bench and the time it took to grind a little to put the head on the flow bench take about 10 readings or each of the 8 intake and exhaust. CC'ing the combustion chambers. Then grind a little more and do it all over again I had about 30 hours in it.
The big block heads were a lot bigger and the heads were Iron. But, I can easily see 15 to 20 hours on a set of heads after you have ported your first pair considering you have to cut the seats, mill the deck, disassemble and reasemble the entire thing.
Reply
Old May 23, 2003 | 11:20 AM
  #3  
BYBYC5's Avatar
*Bad Trader*
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 0
From: here and there
Default Re: ? about heads

ya and i can see a couple hrs in the cnc machine too. loading that disk and pushing those buttons is hand killing work...
Reply
Old May 23, 2003 | 11:55 AM
  #4  
cameroz282k's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Richwood texas
Default Re: ? about heads

man i love hard labor but that is not right people are killing there self to gather up the cash also they are saying at $65 an hour that comes out to 13.87 hours can any one tell me whats wrong here
Reply
Old May 23, 2003 | 12:52 PM
  #5  
Rayo's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: ATX
Default Re: ? about heads

It all comes down to economics....there is not enough competition among the various head porters...until we get a head porter that ports heads efficiently in mass quantities...allowing said porter to substantially drop the retail price of the heads while still making a decent profit...hence forcing the competition to drop their prices in order to stay in business (all this is assuming that the quality of the heads is the same or close to it)...we will not see any price drops on heads ...

David R.
Reply
Old May 23, 2003 | 12:57 PM
  #6  
1999_SS_M6's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Default Re: ? about heads

I can tell you what's wrong here, it sounds like you're real cheap and you want someone to give their work away to ya.. LOL Just kidding

Hey, bottom line, it's costs a lot of money to go fast, that's why there are cars that are completely stock!

When a guy feels like it costs too much to mod the car, he just leaves it alone. He doesn't start whining that a guy who had to buy a $500,000.00 CNC machine, an $8,000 Flowbench, a dozen head cores to R&D with, plus a thousand or so hours developing a port design and CNC program has the audacity to ask a couple thousand dollars for his product.. lol

I mean come on guys, if you think anyone with a die-grinder can port heads just like the guys asking $2000 for their product, go buy a Standard Abrasives home-port kit part number 839-260001 from Jegs. Hog out a couple sets of heads and screw 'em up real good, then you can say how much you wish you'd spent that $1000 you used to buy bare head cores as money against a set of professionally ported ones.

Hey, rather than tring to figure out the econimic theory behind the performance aftermarket, foucus your energies on unraveling the true mystery of the 21st century.... how the hell do they get that cream filling in a Twinkie???!
Reply
Old May 23, 2003 | 01:40 PM
  #7  
Tin Indian's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 2
From: SW Florida
Default Re: ? about heads

I can tell you what's wrong here, it sounds like you're real cheap and you want someone to give their work away to ya.. LOL Just kidding

Hey, bottom line, it's costs a lot of money to go fast, that's why there are cars that are completely stock!

When a guy feels like it costs too much to mod the car, he just leaves it alone. He doesn't start whining that a guy who had to buy a $500,000.00 CNC machine, an $8,000 Flowbench, a dozen head cores to R&D with, plus a thousand or so hours developing a port design and CNC program has the audacity to ask a couple thousand dollars for his product.. lol

I mean come on guys, if you think anyone with a die-grinder can port heads just like the guys asking $2000 for their product, go buy a Standard Abrasives home-port kit part number 839-260001 from Jegs. Hog out a couple sets of heads and screw 'em up real good, then you can say how much you wish you'd spent that $1000 you used to buy bare head cores as money against a set of professionally ported ones.

Hey, rather than tring to figure out the econimic theory behind the performance aftermarket, foucus your energies on unraveling the true mystery of the 21st century.... how the hell do they get that cream filling in a Twinkie???!
BINGO!
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:23 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE