Howdy all. I’m doing a 95” on an 02 RK and would like to share my position and hopefully get some solid feedback. I’m overseas & have no access to a machine shop that does porting. I’d rather not ship them back to the States because of the expense, hassle/expense with customs here upon return & the down time. So I’m considering doing a little tuning myself. Crazy talk???

1: I understand that where the manifold gasket meets the head, any extra pronounced ledge on the head can be filed down to eliminate that resistance. My question is would this sacrifice atomization?

2: would polishing the rough cast in the ports & manifold increase flow or could that sacrifice atomization?

3: I have kibblewhite black diamond valves for this project. If my seats & guides are clean could I do a good laping & installation without a valve job (cutting)?

4: would polishing the combustion chamber (while the old valves are still in of course) be beneficial?

Appreciate any help & ideas!!!

 

Your best option would be to have someone in the US purchase a take off set of '07 or later heads and intake flanges for you. Have the heads decked to provide the compression for the cams you plan to run and send them to you. The later head flow much better than the earlier heads. You could disassemble if you wanted and do a little work on the short turn in the intak runner and some bowl blending under the valve; the exhaust doesn't really need any work. Shipping cost a little more but the results will be significant compared to what you are currently planning. JMHO.

EDIT: Kirby is right about the valve job which I overlooked; very important and should be done before the heads are shipped to you. Maybe Kirby can help you out??

 

just cleaning up the ports wont do much,they will need bowl work & a GOOD,radiused valve job (oftain over looked),I agree with DJL on buying some heads outright

 

We've actually seen quite amazing results, porting the heads with the OE valves.
We use Black Diamond, AV&V, Ferrea valves here.
We do not assume they are ground correctly, and each one is ground here, prior to installation, and then lapped to insure all is well.
Happy to lend a hand however we can.........
Scott

 

Thanks much for the feedback. I will go ahead & pick up some later heads & have them worked there as suggested. They can sit in the States for a while & I will suit-case them back upon my next return to avoid the guys in shiny black shoes here. Not sure when that may be, so in the mean time I may go ahead with the 95” using the stock heads & I can look forward to the back to back flow difference in the future.
Thanks again for the great info!!!

 

Recently saw an 88" with stock heads and a set of Andrews 48 cams make 90+TQ and 80+HP; not bad for a cam only upgrade and cheap; might consider something like that while you wait for heads.