Question on heads...

[19Cutlass94]

Is it worth it to get a full p&p ( street/strip ) on a set of heads? Obviously they will make more power if I do this, but is it worth the cost? I mean Id be dropping an easy grand on these heads... How much more would I gain over stock?

 

Either this yr or next Im going to be going with a full 3400 top end. UIM and LIM will be p&p'ed and Im still deciding on what TB to use, I duno if I wanna spend the money on a 65mm... But Im kinda stuck with what I wanna do with the heads though... I know stock alone a 3400top end will help out ALOT. but Im just hoping for more.. ya know?! Or should I just go with the basic p&p, reshape the camber, 3500 valves and valve work, you know all that kinda stuff? I mean the street/strip type of porting involves much more work, but is all that much more work make it worth while to get that over just the standard?

 

Im just trying to weigh out my options and would like to see what you guys think about this. I mean I know with this setup Ill have a nice increase in power and it just might get me into the 15's if not a little towards the mid 15's, but either way it would be a good improvment over what I got now.

 

any imput would be great!

 

--Jay

[slick]

I say if your gonna do it, do it yourself and save the cash. But thats just me.

 

What all would you have done to your heads while at the shop, minus the P&P?

[19Cutlass94]

I gotta get it cleaned and pressure tested, new springs, 3500 valves, new seals, new retainers etc etc

[slick]

I would do pretty much whatever you could do yourself to save some cash. $1000 for headwork seems pretty expensive, IMO. Maybe it's demographics, but I've heard of people getting there heads done back home in that area for about the $500 range.

[slick]

On another note, for about $500, you can pick up a full 3400 that has a bit more of an aftermarket than the older 3100. Add DHP to it, and your still sitting less than the $1000 mark with getting your heads done locally, and probably with more power.

 

I'd consider that option also.

[19Cutlass94]

Well I am going to be picking up a 3400 top end. Im getting the 3400 intakes p&p'ed and I wanna get the 3400 heads done as well.

 

I mean I could get away with cheaper if I didnt want them flowbenched, however your heads will be much better of if they are since all ports/runners will flow within 1-2% of each other

 

and bout DHP...I cant use that program with OBD1.5.. atleast not that Im aware of.

[slick]

You should consider the OBD 2 swap.

 

If your not looking to do an entire engine swap, I would find a shop that would reshape the ports in the heads. There is probably a lot to be gained from reshaping over doing a simple P&P. I know the 3.4 DOHC is a completely different engine, but Kevwood gained a substantial amount of power by pretty much just reshaping the ports in the heads. I wouldn't expect the same figures that he gained in the pushrod from the simple fact that they don't flow nowhere near the same volume of air as the DOHC heads, but there are gains to be made.

 

Definately consider the larger valves, the more air, the merrier.

 

Thought of doing a custom cam while it's all apart?

[19Cutlass94]

Ive thought about a cam but I cant go too big or else I cant tune for it cause the MAP will only read so much. I was looking at the specs for the Milzy, and thats prolly the most that I would wanna be going... However I dont think Im going to be pulling the motor to put the 3400 top end on.