Katech Head Porting

the chosen one · 12-12-2019, 08:33 AM

I've been contemplating getting my cylinder heads ported, and Katech happens to be in my area. If you're running them, what gains did you see with a stock cam?

geaux_tigerss · 12-12-2019, 10:33 AM

I've seen this brought up before and the consensus was that it wasn't worth it for the stock cam. Also, if the heads are coming off, you've already done 80% of a cam job anyway, no reason not to go whole hog on it and get some real gains.

RobbyBeefcake87 · 12-12-2019, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geaux_tigerss

I've seen this brought up before and the consensus was that it wasn't worth it for the stock cam. Also, if the heads are coming off, you've already done 80% of a cam job anyway, no reason not to go whole hog on it and get some real gains.

Damn maybe I just suck lol but I feel taking the heads off these LT cars is way less work than a cam job. That cam cover itself takes quite a bit to remove.

the chosen one · 12-12-2019, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geaux_tigerss

I've seen this brought up before and the consensus was that it wasn't worth it for the stock cam. Also, if the heads are coming off, you've already done 80% of a cam job anyway, no reason not to go whole hog on it and get some real gains.

My thought was that I could gain around 20 rwhp and avoid alot of the costs of doing a cam swap. The labor for just changing the heads should be around $600 vs $1400+ to change the cam. I could also keep the stock valvetrain which would save around $400 in parts. No doubt the cam would give some nice gains but I think I would be happier keeping $1800 in my pocket.

JCunningham · 12-13-2019, 03:10 AM

i wouldnt bother doing heads unless you are going to do a cam at the same time. heads breath plenty for stock cam.

6spdhyperblue · 12-13-2019, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the chosen one

My thought was that I could gain around 20 rwhp and avoid alot of the costs of doing a cam swap. The labor for just changing the heads should be around $600 vs $1400+ to change the cam. I could also keep the stock valvetrain which would save around $400 in parts. No doubt the cam would give some nice gains but I think I would be happier keeping $1800 in my pocket.

Yes

kropscamaro16 · 12-13-2019, 11:05 AM

cam and heads and full bolt ons with e85 would get you around 500whp if i did head work id just go all out and do it all but i live in cali and im poor lol

cmitchell17 · 12-13-2019, 10:10 PM

I was thinking of just doing heads first as well, since a cam seems like a nightmare on these motors. I don't have many tools or room to work or access to a lift so my options are limited.

I don't mean to derail the OP's thread, but I guess we don't have many options for trying to increase the compression other than milling the heads? I know to get any reasonable increase in compression you are going to have PTV clearance issues I would think?

RobbyBeefcake87 · 12-13-2019, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

cam and heads and full bolt ons with e85 would get you around 500whp if i did head work id just go all out and do it all but i live in cali and im poor lol

All dynos are different but there's a lot of fbo cars around or close to 500, H/C fbo are usually deep in the 500 with some close to 600. Pray has H/C fbo cars with a high ram in the low 600s.

RobbyBeefcake87 · 12-13-2019, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmitchell17

I was thinking of just doing heads first as well, since a cam seems like a nightmare on these motors. I don't have many tools or room to work or access to a lift so my options are limited.

I don't mean to derail the OP's thread, but I guess we don't have many options for trying to increase the compression other than milling the heads? I know to get any reasonable increase in compression you are going to have PTV clearance issues I would think?

I'm pretty sure it's been done. There was one of the good builders, probably Pray lol, that had a seemingly stock looking car setup for grudge racing with ported heads, I'M, TH, but no cam.

wnta1ss · 12-14-2019, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the chosen one

My thought was that I could gain around 20 rwhp and avoid alot of the costs of doing a cam swap.

Seems that a while back, member PRAY ported his LT1 cylinder heads, and he reported something like a ~22hp gain adding them to his bolt-on setup at the time. As I recall his bolt-on mods on the engine had been reported as:
2" Kooks headers with high-flow cats
intake manifold ported by him
throttle body ported by him
Rotofab CAI
flex fuel tune by him

Redlinez · 12-14-2019, 02:56 PM

It's no where near as much work to r&r the cylinder heads. There are gains to be had with ported heads on a stock cam car. Once you've done all the bolt ons, there are only a few options left. Granted paying for the port work isn't exactly cheap. It's crazy how much a cam swap costs.

cmitchell17 · 12-18-2019, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlinez

It's no where near as much work to r&r the cylinder heads. There are gains to be had with ported heads on a stock cam car. Once you've done all the bolt ons, there are only a few options left. Granted paying for the port work isn't exactly cheap. It's crazy how much a cam swap costs.

There is a lot of conflicting information on cam swaps. There is a lot of youtube videos of people doing it without having to unbolt the oil pan. Of course a lot of these videos skip all the important details. I can't find a solid answer but I think it is possible to swap the cam without pulling the motor or the oil pan.

I don't understand why you can't just lock the crank in position, then note the position of the stock cam, pull the stock cam off, and put the aftermarket cam in in the exact same orientation? I guess its just really hard to get the timing chain back on without moving things around.

Vrodviddy · 12-19-2019, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geaux_tigerss

I've seen this brought up before and the consensus was that it wasn't worth it for the stock cam. Also, if the heads are coming off, you've already done 80% of a cam job anyway, no reason not to go whole hog on it and get some real gains.

Having done the cam swap myself, i would have to disagree 80% done once heads removed. I'd say more like 30%. Don't need to remove front fascia, radiator, condenser, water pump, etc. in order to swap heads. I will agree that ported heads waste of time without doing the cam also. However personally the cash to power gained ratio didn't seem worth it unless you trying to build a track car and squeeze every bit of power out you can. 1000$ min, for maybe 15-20 hp gain. I passed on it and still able to put 520 to the ground.

12-12-2019, 08:33 AM	#1
the chosen one Drives: 2017 Convertible 1SS A8 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 82	Katech Head Porting I've been contemplating getting my cylinder heads ported, and Katech happens to be in my area. If you're running them, what gains did you see with a stock cam? __________________ Kooks 1 7/8" LT catted headers, Katech Ported TB, SoCal ported IM, Green filter, Tuned by BCP, Borla S-Type axle-back, BMR springs, BMR front sway bar endlinks.

12-12-2019, 10:33 AM	#2
geaux_tigerss Drives: 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 740	I've seen this brought up before and the consensus was that it wasn't worth it for the stock cam. Also, if the heads are coming off, you've already done 80% of a cam job anyway, no reason not to go whole hog on it and get some real gains. __________________ 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 Summit White 6" Lift, 37x13.50R24's

12-13-2019, 03:10 AM	#5
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	i wouldnt bother doing heads unless you are going to do a cam at the same time. heads breath plenty for stock cam. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

12-13-2019, 11:05 AM	#7
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 9,813	cam and heads and full bolt ons with e85 would get you around 500whp if i did head work id just go all out and do it all but i live in cali and im poor lol __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

12-14-2019, 02:56 PM	#12
Redlinez Shifts under load Drives: 2020 Camaro 1SS 1LE rally green Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Fuquay-Varina, NC Posts: 1,295	It's no where near as much work to r&r the cylinder heads. There are gains to be had with ported heads on a stock cam car. Once you've done all the bolt ons, there are only a few options left. Granted paying for the port work isn't exactly cheap. It's crazy how much a cam swap costs. __________________ 24 Audi S3 prem plus, sport package HPDE - southeast - JTI- solo, PCA- blue. 22 Suzuki GSX-S 1000GT blue

12-13-2019, 10:10 PM	#8
cmitchell17 Drives: 17 2SS, 8L90, Cam, Heads, E85 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: US Posts: 1,201	I was thinking of just doing heads first as well, since a cam seems like a nightmare on these motors. I don't have many tools or room to work or access to a lift so my options are limited. I don't mean to derail the OP's thread, but I guess we don't have many options for trying to increase the compression other than milling the heads? I know to get any reasonable increase in compression you are going to have PTV clearance issues I would think?

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