I have a line on a used set of Lingenfelter ported L98 heads. I was planning those and a ZZ9 with my accel LTRs to help get me into the 12s. I'm sure the heads are great but I've never heard much about them. Anybody have any flow numbers or experience with these? TIA, James

Basically ported ZZ4 heads...Depending on the price, they could be quite a deal.

The going rate for used ZZ4 (or Vette L98 heads...same thing) is about $400 for used heads. This means they probably have anywhere from 50-100K miles on them and will need to be reworked.

How much would you pay for these heads? Any damage to them? Don't forget that the refurbish costs can drive the price up for the whole deal to make brand new heads look really good....Ask me how I know that

the price negotiated was $1100 with $60 shipping. They have 20K miles on them so I'll get them looked at and work done accordingly. Most likely I'd get a 3-angle valve job done anyways. For that price I get great heads that should flow as well as the $$$ AFRs.

To compliment that I sold my ZZ4 cam for a used TPIS ZZ9 cam. Although it is only slightly bigger the valve events are more effective on my LTR setup, which I'll open up alittle bit more.

I would be skeptical of that...unless you have a flow sheet to back up the owners claims...Don't take his word for it...

After all, what is a few CFM between friends, right?

well I sold my old edelbrock heads to help pay for a head upgrade so I can break into the 12s with my crappy driving. I figure it's nt a fair race until I have the upper hand

I'm just looking for a good street motor that gets decent mileage

You can check out the CNC ported GM L-98 heads by Hutter (173cc with 1.94/1.50 vlaves) at www.weldtech.com/productsframe.html --- I would think the larger 182cc runners and 2.00 / 1.56 valves of the LPE heads should flow a little better - although I've never seen a LPE flow rating and Hutter knows his stuff.

240 cfm is plenty head flow to get a 350 deep in the 12s and depending on the combination and weight 240 cfm could get you in the 11s.


$1100 is not a bad price for the CNC Lingenfelter heads. You might not even need a valve job at 20,000 miles. Certainly a break down and cleaning by someone that knows heads would be in order to make sure though. However, unless you know this guy, I don't know if I would take the chance that the heads are really LPE CNCed heads or not,,,, you know what I mean?

yep. Since he bought them originally I'm having him dig up the receipts for proof.

The valve job was just a possibilty I wanted to consider to evaluate the total/potential cost vs the risk factor. He said they had been off his corvette for 1.5 years when he switched to a AFR/SuperRam combo.

I should have some pictures when he gets back from a business trip in a couple weeks. He's over in europe right now.

So...why not buy a brand new set of heads for that money again?

240 cfm is it? at what lift?

I thought that the budget Trick Flow heads would be a great option for that price...

I'm still determing the the flow numbers for the lingenfelter ported L98 heads.

Before I bought my old edelbrocks I had bought TFS 23* heads. I didn't like the port shape, casting finish, or port locations so I returned them and got the edelbrocks. I just haven't seen great results with the TFS heads. I haven't met anybody who ran close to what the flow numbers say they should be running in the 1/4 mile.

How about Pro-action? Or did you already buy these CNC heads?

I would still be concerned about bang for the buck here...especially $1100 for a used set of heads.

If you want good stuff, new...buy the AFR...I would if I were you...and if you don't like them, there is good resale value..

AFRs would require $600 more for the options I'd need. I'm not sure on the flow numbers on these heads but I'll find out before the purchase. The seller will be back in a couple weeks. My ZZ9 cam should be here next week and I still need to get all the gaskets and other items.

What were your thoughts on the Edelbrock heads? Did you run them with the ZZ4 cam and LTR setup? What kind of times did you get with them?

Bob

The edelbrock heads are great street heads. I ran them with the zz4 cam and accel LTRs and base. With my auto tranny I was running 13.6@102 on regular $50 street tires all day. I never quite mastered the manual tranny but my best times with them were 13.38@104 . But I got 16-17 MPG city and 26-28 MPG hwy. I just want to step up my power a level or two.

I have TFS heads on both my vehicles and have run 13.4 at 105 in my vette with a stock GM crate eng lower end, about 9.3 comp, Crane hyd roller cam with 222/230 durations, a 750 dp Holley and 4 speed. Just bought the Formula so I have not ran it at the track yet.

BTW my 60' time was 2.1 sec so I bet with better tires and better tuning I might have got down to 13.0.

Not saying they are the greatest heads but not bad for the $.

I ran those times in my 3600 lb camaro (w/out me), smaller heads (port size and flow numbers), smaller cam (ZZ4), and chocking LTR EFI. I just haven't seen the AFR-like performance numbers from the AFR-flowlike heads.

You set up is far from stock and probably better matched then mine (just bolted together and not tuned) plus my vette ways 3400. Again just saying that tfs flow pretty good for the $ but not top of the line. Better heads can be had for more $.

Ligenfelter ported heads flow as well as AFRs. As long as they're in good shape, I'd say go for it.

Here is some food for thought if those are the same heads as in this test:

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...98/index5.html

I am sure the porting will make them flow better and it is your $.

Nope these are ported aluminum L98 heads I'm looking at, not box-stock L98 heads, which flow poorly as a perfromance head. What I'm saying is that the advertised flow numbers for the TFS 23* heads haven't translated into great results at the track from what I have seen. The advertise near AFR flow numbers but I just don't see results, even from people I know who have them.

I'm not set on these heads until I see the pics, receipt, and flow numbers he had run.

Given the opportunity, i'd be on those like stink on a monkey. Make sure they're indeed from LPE though. Call LPE and ask what markings they put on the heads to identify them. They are the ideal long runner/superram head along with the AFR 190's AFAIC.

The LPE L98 heads are $2400 new right now, so I would Jump on them for $1100!!! A freind of mine has those heads on his vette, and heres some addys to read about 2 vettes with those heads.
http://yzfr1.tripod.com/85vette.html
http://members.tripod.com/~Vette383/1987-CORVETTE.html