Here's a few pictures of some of the R&D that went into these LS3 heads
Hand porting was done on the intake and exhaust ports and then the head was cut open to measure all of the critical
dimensions to verify that there would be no problem with any area being to thin.
This extra work will ensure that you will have a quality head that will hold up under the most demanding conditions.
dimensions to verify that there would be no problem with any area being to thin.
This extra work will ensure that you will have a quality head that will hold up under the most demanding conditions.
After the heads were cut open, all of the important dimensions were measured and recorded before any CNC
programing was done.
Next step was to take another 10 heads with different casting and production dates and take all the important
measurements. This was done to see what discrepancy's we would run into with the production castings and
machining process.
On one of the critical measurements, the heads were off by .007 (That's the thickness of a 2 sheets of paper)
This was unacceptable, so a new mounting fixture was made to better locate the heads for machining.
The heads were then machined with new locating dowels so the heads will be precisely located every time regardless
of the factory variations.
This extra work will assure that each and every port will be consistent on every set of heads we make.
programing was done.
Next step was to take another 10 heads with different casting and production dates and take all the important
measurements. This was done to see what discrepancy's we would run into with the production castings and
machining process.
On one of the critical measurements, the heads were off by .007 (That's the thickness of a 2 sheets of paper)
This was unacceptable, so a new mounting fixture was made to better locate the heads for machining.
The heads were then machined with new locating dowels so the heads will be precisely located every time regardless
of the factory variations.
This extra work will assure that each and every port will be consistent on every set of heads we make.
After all adjustments were made to the prototype head, it was then put on the CNC for digitizing and then machining.
After the heads are machined, they go to get the CNC valve job.
Below is a screen shot of stock and performance valve job.
The CNC can be programed to cut any angle - seat width - radius - etc.
Below is a screen shot of stock and performance valve job.
The CNC can be programed to cut any angle - seat width - radius - etc.
| Exhaust ports & coolant passage |
| Exhaust ports & coolant passage |
| These 2 holes were drilled into the exhaust port to verify the thickness. There is coolant below this area. |
| This section has been removed to verify wall thickness around the intake & exhaust ports. |
Here the spring pocket thickness and location is recorded.
This is critical, to thin and the port will crack or break. It will also allow us to add high pressure springs needed with
solid roller cams or big boost applications.
This is critical, to thin and the port will crack or break. It will also allow us to add high pressure springs needed with
solid roller cams or big boost applications.
The valve job is custom designed for these heads.
Seat angles, seat width, location, etc are crucial to a
great head. So critical that the shop has spent close to
$100,000.00 on this special CNC valve job machine.
This is where all the experience of a professional really
comes into play. Just changing the angle and seat by
as little as a few thousandths of an inch, could cost you
up to 18 horsepower on a race motor.
Seat angles, seat width, location, etc are crucial to a
great head. So critical that the shop has spent close to
$100,000.00 on this special CNC valve job machine.
This is where all the experience of a professional really
comes into play. Just changing the angle and seat by
as little as a few thousandths of an inch, could cost you
up to 18 horsepower on a race motor.
After all work is preformed, the finished heads go to the jet wash for cleaning and are then packaged for shipping.
A quick trip to the flow bench verifies we have a great
head and now it's time for production.
head and now it's time for production.
| Coolant passage between exhaust ports |
| Coolant passage between exhaust ports |
Although most people love their flow numbers, they are no way to
determine how good a head really is.
I was shown how small changes in the combustion chamber reduced the
flow numbers, but the engine responded very well to the change. "It's all
about how well you are able to get the air into the motor."
On these L92 / LS3 heads, I was shown a 15 CFM decrease in air flow on
one of the ports. All they did was to make the port "look better" by
cleaning up a few areas under the valve that the CNC work did not touch.
The shop has been working on some professionally ported heads that
show very similar flow numbers, but his porting has shown to be worth 70
plus HP gains and they have just set the low ET & MPH records.
determine how good a head really is.
I was shown how small changes in the combustion chamber reduced the
flow numbers, but the engine responded very well to the change. "It's all
about how well you are able to get the air into the motor."
On these L92 / LS3 heads, I was shown a 15 CFM decrease in air flow on
one of the ports. All they did was to make the port "look better" by
cleaning up a few areas under the valve that the CNC work did not touch.
The shop has been working on some professionally ported heads that
show very similar flow numbers, but his porting has shown to be worth 70
plus HP gains and they have just set the low ET & MPH records.
Here's the CNC machine used to mill heads and intake manifolds, as well as making custom intake manifolds.
| Another coolant passage surrounding the intake and exhaust ports. |
| A few lessons learned about the flow bench. |
| Here's another "window" cut into the head to check the intake roof and spring seat thickness. |
| Here's some pictures of the GM Pro Stock heads |
| Here's some Ford Racing heads |
Here's some Dodge Racing prototype heads.
These are made out of plastic and were in the first stages of development.
These are made out of plastic and were in the first stages of development.