Ive noticed that some extreme Headwork packages are near or above the 4K range but then again you can just get basic work done and some cams for 2-3K. I'm just wondering how much of a difference the extreme packages make. Are these build up's meant for more of a race application? I'm sure you'll get more WHP out of better flowing heads but I haven't seen any threads discussing it..

Any insight greatly appreciated as I am planning a Motor build.

 

I'm in the same position you are, but I'm not allowing my finances to do a full headwork deal + cost of cams. I've already got cams so I'm going to just clean the head up and put the cams in, maybe do some plenum polishing or what not, and leave it at that for my motor build.

I won't be sleeving the motor so I don't think the real excessive headwork is necessary.

 

I read before that the heads on our cars flow really well.

How well is another thing.

 

Yea I mean for example say I just want 500-600whp max. Sleeving seems to be optional at that power level but I understand that theres still risk. the cost of sleeving and all that extreme head work add up pretty big. Oversized Valves, better springs to rev 8K...lol

Does the air flow increase that much?

 

You can make well past 600rwhp on stock sleeving. No need to sleeve IMO. If your on a budget, just build the block but make sure to use L19 head studs and cometic or hks hg. You can also skip on doing the head for now if you like. There are plenty people making 550rwhp+ on a stock head.

 

IMO-crazy $4000 headwork is for 700+whp apps, its fine so far in my almost 600whp application on pump gas, I plan on going for more with race fuel. Does it help? Yeah, is it necessary? No.

 

hehe it's not about budget really just trying to avoid unnecessary spending..like driving around in a KIA with race gas.

 

I don't think headwork is worth it unless you're 500+whp

I'd only really consider doing it if you're building up a long block anyway where the engine is already right there for someone to work on the heads. Then it might be worth the money ($800 or so?). I'm pretty sure even the stock heads flow pretty nice though

 

go big or go home

 

go big and go broke!

 

Money is not the issue fellas Just trying to figure out what is needed for 600WHP Z and how much of a difference does the 4-5K Headwork with over sized valves-n-stuff make compared to just cams, stock valve train and port-polish

 

So what would be adaquate for a Vortech setup and shooting for the low 500 whp range. Could I get away with a shortblock and just cams?

 

.039 of an inch or 1mm valves will not help much if at all. The heads flow fine. I would still like to know the max lift cams that can be used in these heads.

 

I'm not sure I'd really bother with headwork if someone wasn't doing a ferrea valvetrain where work has to be done anyway. That'll help you rev up faster and also raise the actual redline capable from the engine

Otherwise it's a lot of work for like 5 hp

 

i am interested to hear what Sam or Sharif have to say about this.

i come from a honda back ground. i had a B18 type R motor in my civic that had everything imaginable done to the head. i red lined at 9000 rpms and made 220whp just with head work and cams. granted it was na.

not sure how a port and pollish and 5 angle valve job would do to a FI VQ motor.

 

Sentry can you give me your opinion on my above question?

 

well right now as it stands, the only person to reach low 500's is doing so by reving to 7500 rpms with a ferrea valvetrain. I'm not sure if he has headwork done or not, but I'd bet he probably has a little. I don't think you necessarily NEED headwork for low 500's though. There's other ways to get there

low 500's is going to be difficult to achieve on a vortech without a T-trim blower and either without boring and/or stroking the engine or having a ferrea valvetrain where you can rev to something like 7500 rpms

Otherwise, you will of course need every high flowing bolt on under the sun including cams. Cost wise, you could get a TT for the amount of money you'd spend building up the vortech to that level

 

An engine is like a big pump, The more u can pull in efficiently,compress efficiently and expel efficiently, the better off u are. Its ur call. Personally, if I take the time to disassemble everything,rework it and put it all back together again, I would have a hard time dealing with the fact ,I didnt do all I could to make it a perfect balance.
I always find my self saying---Well, I did this,so I really should do that, and then saying ,well, I did that, quess I really should do this.
True, It snowballs---UGH !!!!!!

One of the pluses is though, Iv learned to do everything myself. Otherwise I could not afford it. I cant wait to get into a 3.5 Motor. Main reason I made that statement is because there are a great many people in this forum that know tons more than me about the Z motors----But when it comes down to it, A motor is a motor, They all have the same needs to put out HP.