LTX and LSX Putting LT1s, LS1s, and their variants into Third Gens is becoming more popular. This board is for those who are doing and have done the swaps so they can discuss all of their technical aspects including repairs, swap info, and performance upgrades.

LT1 - To PORT or not to PORT

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Old Dec 19, 2012 | 08:44 PM
  #1  
springer4's Avatar
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Car: 1992 Heritage Edition Z28
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LT1 - To PORT or not to PORT

I'll first start off by saying I'll have a build and swap thread starting soon, It's be a 89 Iroc with an LT1 swap. We took in an aluminum headed 96 Z28 with about 120k on the Clock, I intend to freshen up the bottom end and swaping out the stock cam with a ZZ4 cam, comp 1.6 rockers. headman headers, high flow cat and 3in exhaust, Healthy 700R4 Trans, STOCK CONVERTER.

Question

#1 Does anyone think I'd benefit by sending out the heads and intake to get Ported and Polished by High Flow Fuel Injection, would my gains be worth the cost. For a stage 4 Port, Polish and gasket match it's $200.00 for the Intake and $300.00 for the heads. It sounds like good a price, but does everything think the price equals the gains?

Last edited by springer4; Dec 19, 2012 at 08:46 PM. Reason: Just because
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Old Dec 20, 2012 | 05:45 AM
  #2  
vetteoz's Avatar
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From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: To PORT or not to PORT

Originally Posted by springer4
It sounds like good a price, but does everything think the price equals the gains?
Need to know the flow numbers they claim to get on the heads to answer that.
Got a link to the site?

Respected LT1 porter LE http://www.elliottsportworks.com/
gets good Hp from his ported heads but they cost $900+ ( for proven results )
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showpo...78&postcount=2
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Old Dec 20, 2012 | 03:31 PM
  #3  
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From: Dixon, IL
Car: 91 RS
Engine: LTwon
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Re: LT1 - To PORT or not to PORT

I spent 250 on hot tanking, decking, and a valve job with no porting. So if they do a smooth port it sounds fair.
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Old Dec 20, 2012 | 10:18 PM
  #4  
Tinbender59's Avatar
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From: Near Wichita Ks
Car: 1997 K1500 SS/SB
Engine: LT1 with TPI on top
Transmission: 4L60E/np241,
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: LT1 - To PORT or not to PORT

Originally Posted by springer4
I'll first start off by saying I'll have a build and swap thread starting soon, It's be a 89 Iroc with an LT1 swap. We took in an aluminum headed 96 Z28 with about 120k on the Clock, I intend to freshen up the bottom end and swaping out the stock cam with a ZZ4 cam, comp 1.6 rockers. headman headers, high flow cat and 3in exhaust, Healthy 700R4 Trans, STOCK CONVERTER.

Question

#1 Does anyone think I'd benefit by sending out the heads and intake to get Ported and Polished by High Flow Fuel Injection, would my gains be worth the cost. For a stage 4 Port, Polish and gasket match it's $200.00 for the Intake and $300.00 for the heads. It sounds like good a price, but does everything think the price equals the gains?

for a full port job that is way way cheap, I would use EXTREAM caution
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Old Dec 20, 2012 | 10:30 PM
  #5  
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Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: LT1, AFR 195cc, 231/239 LE cam.
Transmission: M28 T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10bolt waiting to explode.
Re: LT1 - To PORT or not to PORT

If you are on a super budget, do no headwork aside from the work needed for a larger cam. If you can't afford to do a cam/valvespring properly forget it and simply purchase the standard bolt-ons. Headers/cai/tune....etc. This will easily net 320-350hp at the flywheel and is enough to get a thirdgen moving to the tune of high 12s.

If you are on a Budget go with Lloyd Elliot.

If you have $$$ go with Advanced Induction.

Lloyd Elliot can get some serious numbers out of LT1 heads for good money.

If however you are on a mild budget but can't afford a reputable head port job, skip the port work and just install a LT4 Hot-Cam or similar. With bolt-ons you can basically jump from making 285hp at the flywheel to near 310hp at the WHEELS. M6 Cars have dynoed as high as 330rwhp with a mild cam, supporting mods and stock heads. Supporting mods aka headers, exhaust, tune, cold air intake.

The LT4 hot-cam is super streetable and lets you take advantage of the way an LT1 likes to rev. They are found cheap as chips and are easy on the valvetrain too.

Stock Headed LT1s have dynoed as high as 380rwhp+, though most of those were solid roller setups. But a common cam like the CC306 is enough to take a stock headed LT1 M6 into the 360rwhp territory.

Last edited by Thirdgen89GTA; Dec 20, 2012 at 10:38 PM.
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Old Dec 20, 2012 | 10:53 PM
  #6  
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From: Sanctuary state
Car: 67 ******mobile
Engine: 385 Solid roller
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Axle/Gears: 4.11
Re: LT1 - To PORT or not to PORT

Smoothing out ports in the head will gain you NOTHING. ZERO.

Flow sheets to prove it.

Any good porter is going to knock you for at least $350 to $500 just to do bowls and some basic cleanup. Full port plan on more. Like almost double or more

It takes many yrs just to get halfway decent wiht heads you just cant "start doing it" and become a youtube hero. Theres a science to it.
Cannot tell you how many times Ive walked away from the flowbench disappointed.

As said above do NOT turn your heads over to someone without proven results and experience. DEMAND a flow sheet period or walk, very easy to ruin a perfectly good head btdt. They may charge you for bench time but its worth it. If you want the right cam youll need it otherwise youre shooting in the dark.

Careful!!!

Last edited by cuisinartvette; Dec 20, 2012 at 11:22 PM.
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Old Dec 21, 2012 | 03:54 PM
  #7  
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From: Near Wichita Ks
Car: 1997 K1500 SS/SB
Engine: LT1 with TPI on top
Transmission: 4L60E/np241,
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: LT1 - To PORT or not to PORT

if you go blown porting is a waste of time , Pocket's build has inspired me to get crazzy.
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Old Jan 1, 2013 | 10:56 PM
  #8  
cuisinartvette's Avatar
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From: Sanctuary state
Car: 67 ******mobile
Engine: 385 Solid roller
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 4.11
Re: LT1 - To PORT or not to PORT

Disagree porting always helps pick things up NA or FI


What happened to the OP?
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