Heads

[RadRacer]

Are the Abbott's heads worth the $1000 price tag, or would a set ported by a local shop be fine? I'm trying to figure out my next mod and would like to get heads before I get it tuned, but not too sure at that price. I've heard alot of people say how big of a restriction the stock heads are, but are Abbott's going to give me that much of a gain over a local P&P shop? I had planned on doing a head swap next summer w/ P&P heads, 10:1 CR, gasket matched intakes, 5 angle valve job, and 105# springs. The guy I know gave me an estimate of $350 for P&P and valve job.

[Meatyshells]

Re: Heads

does this guy you know have a shop or something? cause a valve job alone usually cost around 250. and it takes a hell of a long time to port heads by hand. especially iron

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Heads

I dunno...local shop here does:

Multi-Angled Valve Job -- Standard --
No Extra Charge

Magnaflux $20.00 Pair
Pressure Test $30.00 Each
Resurface Only $35.00 Each
Install Valve Seats $20.00 Each
Install Screw-In-Studs $100.00 Each
Enlarge Valve Seats and Port Match $300.00 Approx.
Port & Polish $200.00 & up

I would think that a good port and polish job, as well as gasket matching would net some good gains similar to the abbott heads. But then again, Abbott puts a lot of time and money into there products.
Personally I feel that the gains aren't that far off to jusitfy spending over 1000$ as opposed to a few hundred...(unless speed has no limit for you, and you want to build the absolute fastest v6 car, barring nothing...)

One thing I may do in the future is copy down what is done to the abbott racing heads...take it to my local shop, and see how much he will charge to do whats done to those heads. I think alot of what you pay for is the parts on the heads themselves as well....I don't need 130# springs...I only require 105#...and if I already have 105#'s why do I need more springs kinda thing....ask yourself these kinda questions...maybe that'll help ya make a decision...

[bigbrian442]

Re: Heads

If the shop your using does not have a flow bench, or provide you with before and after numbers from a flow bench, don't let them port your heads. You can make the ports flow less by grinding in the wrong place or taking too much out of them.

[RadRacer]

Re: Heads

does this guy you know have a shop or something? cause a valve job alone usually cost around 250. and it takes a hell of a long time to port heads by hand. especially iron

Yes, he works at a machine shop. I don't know his usual price, but since he's a buddy of my dad's he's giving a discount (or so he says); plus, he likes my car and wants to see my V6 go :P

If the shop your using does not have a flow bench, or provide you with before and after numbers from a flow bench, don't let them port your heads. You can make the ports flow less by grinding in the wrong place or taking too much out of them.

I know; like I said, he works at a machine shop. I'm not too sure what they have there. But, after adding up everything I think I'm just going to go with Abbott's heads.

[ssms5411]

Re: Heads

does this guy you know have a shop or something? cause a valve job alone usually cost around 250. and it takes a hell of a long time to port heads by hand. especially iron

Ryan, at Basco before the discount it was $360 for the 3 angle valve job, milling and to have them cleaned out bead blasted. But I paid $300 cash, so I got a good discount, but not as good as you did with the $250(lucky b@stard)LOL. But if the guy knows what he is doing and even takes out the casting flaws and does good work it would be worth the price. Also like said if he has a flow bench that would be a plus. When I did my P/P on the heads and upper/lower intakes , I think it to me about a month on and off alittle a day. I made sure I did every port the same and polished them the same. But I haven't put mine on yet so I don't know how they are going to flow, the guy at the machine shop said they looked good but who knows they might not just can't tell by sight. $1000 isn't too bad , but ZZP stage 2 heads for a $100 more give you bigger valves, just a suggestion. When I looked into getting heads and not doing my own, I was going to go with ZZP's since for around the same price they offer the bigger valves on the heads.

[RadRacer]

Re: Heads

I PM'd lance; seeing if he can swap out the 130# springs for larger valves :P If so, I'll probably stick with his. After adding in valves, springs, pushrods, etc it came to about $850 + shipping to have a stock set fixed up; for a few hundred more I'll get Lance's proven design that's professionally done......

[97rs4life]

Re: Heads

stage 3 or bust. ;)

zzp also sells CNC'd heads now which are a nice set of heads and you know you are getting the correct portwork as it is all machined to spec with the CNC.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Heads

stage 3 or bust. ;)

zzp also sells CNC'd heads now which are a nice set of heads and you know you are getting the correct portwork as it is all machined to spec with the CNC.

they also sell some nice aluminum ones for weigth savings and such :tup:

[RadRacer]

Re: Heads

if I get ZZP's CNC'd heads, do I want the GTP or GT? Do you guys think larger valves will help my application, or just be a waste?

[ssms5411]

Re: Heads

GTP heads have the injector holes in the heads, I think you want the GT heads since their the same as ours.

[Meatyshells]

Re: Heads

GTP heads have the injector holes in the heads, I think you want the GT heads since their the same as ours.

correct