Ported heads + stock turbo

[bonescarolfi]

A guy I know is thinking about having his heads ported on his LB7 and im wondering if its even going to be worth the trouble. The guy who would be doing the porting has a flow bench and has done a lot of four wheeler heads for ice racers in central Wisconsin and did a head for a 24 valve cummins and had good results so im not worried about poor quality. He also has a junk LB7 head that he is going to test out first. What im wondering is if its worth it on a truck with a stock turbo, stock intercooler, stock exh manifolds, and stock up pipes. The truck is a 04 GMC with a built trans, dual Kennedy lift pumps, and EFI Live tuning from Kennedy and the guy pulls alot with it. The truck usually wins in stock classes at pulls around here where its divided into stock and mod. Its pretty much tapped out on power though and he wants a little more power and rpm but wants to keep the stock turbo and thinks porting the heads will get it done. So Im wondering if anyone else has done this with a stock turbo and has any results or what every body thinks. Im sure with an aftermarket intercooler, headers, up pipes and maybe a different compressor wheel it would work great but with just the heads im not so sure.

 

[WolfLMM]

Just the heads....I dont know that I would spend the money on them. Stockers seem to flow very well.

 

[TheBac]

IMHO....not worth the $$ on a stock engine.

 

[TeaBagger2006]

X2 on the not being worth it on a stock engine. from what i read lots of higher hp guys running stock heads. that money is better spent on a HTT S366 as im sure it will get him more of what he wants.

 

[ChevyDieselLLY]

Is he just porting them or is he going to add springs and what not? If he is going to do a build down the road and they are already off I guess its his money. But to take them off just for that reason I wouldn't do it.

 

[bonescarolfi]

He just wants to port it and put studs in and he probably wont build the motor unless he blows it. I keep telling him to put in a S466 and still run the stock class. Its not like other people around here don't do something similar and still run in the local "stock" classes, they just don't hook up as good as he does so they still lose. God forbid if you run twins on stock fuel though. Everybody gets scared then. I would be curious to see what would happen with with an intercooler, headers, up pipes and modify the turbo along with porting the heads though. But that would cost a bit more than just slapping a bigger turbo on. Either way once you go want more than 500-550 it gets crazy quick.

 

[cstephens93]

Did your buddy ever do anything with his heads?

I just recently replaced my head gaskets and while I had my heads off, I did a light bowl blend to clear up some of the lipped portions on each head

 

[hondarider552]

Isn't gunna do anything.

 

[Turbo Performance]

Isn't gunna do anything.

What's your experience with ported heads?

 

[cstephens93]

Isn't gunna do anything.

How is it not going to do anything?

I emailed Guy Tripp and even he said it would at least reduce EGTs

 

[S Phinney]

Your engine is a big air pump. Anything that helps it move more air helps. Now it's a matter of how much are you willing to spend for the said improvements. He's running class specific and really wants to stay on top then you get innovative to do that. It will probably help him reach his goals. It probably isn't the most cost effective way to do it.

 

[56taskforce]

I will have to see if I can find it but I remember reading an article where they installed a set of Wagler heads on a relatively stock motor and had some impressive improvement.
Cost effective not inless you are restrained by a rule book like stated above.

 

[cstephens93]

Id imagine that most people would just go the bigger turbo route as opposed to heads.

So what is more important first...bigger turbo or bigger injectors?

 

[Dirtymaxx03]

Id imagine that most people would just go the bigger turbo route as opposed to heads.

So what is more important first...bigger turbo or bigger injectors?

turbo.

of coarse heads will help. But look at the cost vs reward, if you're not on a budget then go for it. But most of us are.

 

[Chevy1925]

Id imagine that most people would just go the bigger turbo route as opposed to heads.

So what is more important first...bigger turbo or bigger injectors?

IMHO, bigger turbo. its going to get you bigger power in a better way. EGTs will fall, drive pressure will fall, more boost without overspeeding the turbo, less smoke at WOT once the turbo is lit, and other reasons.

 

[cstephens93]

Yeah thats what I figured.

So how much hp can one expect to make with just a better single turbo as opposed to what I see most guys running when they buy twin/compound turbo setups?

 

[Robby Avery]

Subd

 

[cstephens93]

The reason I ask about the heads is because I was able to have a light bowl blend done for no cost at all. So i was just curious to see if anyone had any experience with that

 

[Chevy1925]

Yeah thats what I figured.

So how much hp can one expect to make with just a better single turbo as opposed to what I see most guys running when they buy twin/compound turbo setups?

that can not be said as everyones truck is different. it all depends on your fuel system health, how big the turbo/s are, and other factors. thats a very broad question

 

[RickDLance]

Your engine is a big air pump. Anything that helps it move more air helps. Now it's a matter of how much are you willing to spend for the said improvements. He's running class specific and really wants to stay on top then you get innovative to do that. It will probably help him reach his goals. It probably isn't the most cost effective way to do it.

I agree with Shane.