Ported & Coated LT5 Heads FS and Questions

[UncleRobin]

This is kind of a question / parts for sale combination. As a few of you probably know, I have a pair of ported and coated LT5 heads I would like to sell. The heads had under 14k miles when the machine work and coating was done and zero miles since the work.

My questions are:
Would a potential buyer prefer the stock cams and followers to be included with the heads as opposed to being offered separately in the case they have their own cams?

Are the heads really worth anything, i.e. what is a realistic price?

If I am not forgetting any, although I have had several inquires, I believe I had only one "real" offer of $1,500.00. Not that I am complaining and I understand people wanting a bargain, but if you add up the cost of the machine work, the coating and shipping to the buyer (I included shipping in the price), that's more than $1,500.00. Of course there are several factors like supply/demand, economy, not to mention the LT5/ZR-1 are basically old news now, which affects the price. Since I really have no use for the heads and am getting tired of walking around them in the garage, they need to go, but at the same time I don't want to give the farm away. Anyway I am looking for some feedback on what I should realistically expect to sell them for and figure this group would probably have the best guess.

As a related note; I have a ported plenum that need to go too.

Thanks for your feedback.

Uncle Robin

[blackjack]

hi,robin
what year are those heads from?
who did the porting?
you mentioned the heads were coated...what color?
thanks,and welcome to the zoo
bj
91/1735

[UncleRobin]

I kind of left out a few details didn't I… :redface:

The heads are from 1990 #342.

Greg Van Deventer did the porting

The coating is a thermal coating applied to the exhaust ports, combustion chambers, and valves. Swain Technologies did the coating. No powder coating on the exterior (still stock color).

Here is a link to some pictures:
http://www.unclerobin3.com/lt5heads/LT5_Ported_Heads.html

A bit of history about me: Acquired a ZR-1 (1990 #342) November 1999 and sold it May 2007.
Been around the zr1.net in the earlier days, recently migrated over here (like several others I believe) from the Corvette Forum.

UR

[Z Factor]

Here is a link to some pictures:
http://www.unclerobin3.com/lt5heads/LT5_Ported_Heads.html

A bit of history about me: Acquired a ZR-1 (1990 #342) November 1999 and sold it May 2007.
Been around the zr1.net in the earlier days, recently migrated over here (like several others I believe) from the Corvette Forum.

UR

Sorry to hear about you selling your ZR-1, but welcome to the forum. :handshak:

:cheers:

[LGAFF]

I think the issue is that somone might be able to have their own heads ported cheaper, namely because you don't have the cost of the head figured in, only porting. So if someone buys your heads, they will still need to pay someone to swap out the heads, and cams, etc.

LGAFF
92 ZR1
#234

[bradslt5]

did you have these for sale a couple of months ago? i remember seeing them . hadi could confirm. n ot a problem just wondering . what would you like for them? i could be interested ?

[HADI-ZR1]

yes brad, its the same. i am intersting too!
what kind of flow gain do these heads, intake-exhaust?? need information.
if it worth,why not, i may buy it.

as you know, i cant buy set of heads , and again i have stock heads , i realy have no place to put my parts,this is big isue. guess what my New second roof is in my friend house, i mean in CZECH rep. and other many parts in other man's Garage and he is asking me now to take my parts out cuz he need the store or i pay him more!! http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/hadi-zr1/1114.gif

[UncleRobin]

Been trying to sell them off & on since last year. I had them on the Corvette Forum and finally got them on eBay about a month ago. There were a few inquiries, but obviously no buyers.

LGAFF makes a good point, which leads me to believe I am probably wrongly thinking people would be doing a motor modification themselves. Most people probably would have somebody do that scale of mods for them.

When I had the machine work done there was a pretty big queue, so there was a significant wait. My thought was there is no waiting for the machine work. Of course that was a few years back when a lot more people were doing top-end jobs.

UR

[HADI-ZR1]

Robin,
please just tell us about the flow gain for both sides, so we compare it to factory LT5. i am sure it will be sold someday.:cheers:
i need information

[UncleRobin]

I am pretty sure Greg V told me what the flow numbers were, but I can't remember what they were. What I do remember is I told Greg I was not in a rush and as a result he did several more porting jobs before doing my heads. If I remember this right, during that time frame he acquired a new flow bench and was constantly tweaking his method. He remarked about that by me being patient and allowing other jobs to jump in front of mine in the queue, my heads reaped the benefits of the extra flow he was able achieve fine tuning his method.

What the actual numbers are I don't know, but I would feel safe in saying they should be some of the best flowing heads with stock valves around. Again those are only words and I do not have any hard numbers to back it up.

UR

[Pete]

If you decide to sell just the cams let me know i would be interested.
Email petezr1@comcast.net

Pete

[UncleRobin]

A couple of people have asked me what my bottom price is. I don't know yet. That's why I was asking the community here what a fair price might be. I started out asking $3,600.00, which at the time I thought was a pretty good price, however I am not so sure that anybody else did. :)

Even though I have no use for the heads now, I do have a considerable amount of money and time invested in the heads or actually my whole ZR-1 hobby. As such I would be nice to recoup some money while still having the buyer feel they are getting a good value. I want to be fair with the buyer and myself as the seller. Of course in the end, they are only worth what somebody is willing to pay.

Hopefully in a day or so with the help of your input, I will have a good guess at a price.

Thanks again for everybody's input.

Uncle Robin

[tpepmeie]

UR,
If it helps, I paid circa $3K for a brand new set of Dunn's last year. No cams, no valves, etc. That probably reflects more my own desire to own them, rather than a true "market" price. I am in the category of those who were looking for a spare set of heads to modify, rather than use my own. Generally, a used set of heads (unported) has been going for $2500-$3000 on Ebay and elsewhere, IMO.

By the way, I've gotten the shortblock I bought from you completely torn down.... and just waiting for a big-inch buildup!

All the best,
Todd

[XfireZ51]

UR,

If you recall, I was contemplating buying the heads at the time I bought the IHs and TB from you. I think the economic calc was that buying
the heads at $3600 offered no advantage over having the entire top end done by some members here. $3600 heads + 1500-$2000 for motor pull and install isn't much less than starting out with your own heads.
To the members however, the IH and TB I bought were done very nicely and URs packaging was first class.

[Polo-1]

I bought my heads New N.O.S. from DRM less then ebay used price.

[Pete]

I think you might do a little better selling heads and cams saperate.

Pete

[UncleRobin]

OK I have come up with a price for the heads. I think the price is quite fair especially considering they have been ported by a master and are thermal coated. The thermal coating should provide some added protection should the fuel mix get too lean.

$2,200.00 for the heads and covers picked up in Wood River, IL.

Note that does not include the cams, the followers (lifters), or shipping.

I will throw in the head-bolts (torqued one time), the original Torx cam cover bolts (some are rough), a partial stainless steel bolt kit (missing the six small bolts in the covers), and two unused factory exhaust gaskets.

$400.00 for the four stock cams and followers picked up in Wood River, IL. The heads buyer has first dibs on the cams; Pete is next in line (if still interested).

Wood River, IL 62095 is about 20 miles NE of St. Louis MO.

My e-mail is zr-1 at unclerobin3.com

Thanks for everybody’s input and the kind words from tpepmeie & XfireZ51 – both good buyers BTW.

Uncle Robin

[Pete]

Yes,still interested.
I can PayPal or check.

Let me know.
Pete

[bradslt5]

would you ship ? if so how much to 93545. i would want the heads only and let pete have the cams

[bradslt5]

would you ship ? if so how much to 93545. i would want the heads only and let pete have the cams

[UncleRobin]

Sure I can ship. I will have to check, but I think each head in its crate weighs over 60 pounds. Taking a guess I would say shipping with insurance would be around $200.00. Later when I get a chance I will weight the crates and get a more accurate number.

UR

[lbszr]

Sounds like a really good deal on the heads!

[UncleRobin]

Each head crate is 69 lbs 26"x13"x10". Obviously there are two of these.

Pair of cam covers about 17 lbs. (I don’t actually have the cam covers boxed up for shipping so it is a guesstimate).

The misc. hardware, bolts, etc weight about 22 lbs +/- (again I don’t actually have that stuff boxed up either so it is a guesstimate).

A quick UPS ground estimate to 93545 with the above weights and insurance was around $200.00. Depending if shipping to residential address and other factors like dimension weight, I would budget at least $220.00 for S&H to 93545.

That is a long trip to CA from St. Louis and always concerns me how well UPS (or enter any shipping company here) will treat a heavy package.

Uncle Robin

[phrogs]

I sold a head to a guy in Holland years ago and I bought a nice sturdy cardboard box one that is about 4 plys thick, like you would see a ZF trany shipped in, thats what GM ships in and If you pack it with enough cardboard and foam or whatever, It will be find in a cardboard box and it doesnt take as much time as building a crate unless you have the crastes already you had to ship them to Greg right?


BTW what other parts do you still have.

and I would also leave the lifters with the heads they are not really any good for another engine they have been worn into these heads already.

just what I would do.

have a good one guys

johnny

[UncleRobin]

Already have nice wood crates.

RE: lifters/followers - It has been my understanding the lifters/followers wear to the cam. If the cams are replaced then new lifters should be used. Continuing along with that logic, once used, the cams and lifters are kind of a matched set. Therefore I figured it was best the lifters/followers went with the cams. BTW- all the followers are marked with their original position.

Quick list of parts I still have:
Starter - Unused in open box $110.00
Sparkplug Wires - Used (1990 - 14k miles) original with LT5 $165
Coil Packs & Bracket - Used (1990 - 14k) $85.00
A/C Compressor - Rebuilt, (1990) unused with clutch $115.00
Plenum - Used (1990 - 14k) before being Ported, with fittings $800.00
Red Seat Leathers - Used (1990 - 14k) Original, DS Bolster a little worn, DS $200.00 PS $220.00
Dual-Mass Flywheel - Used (1990 - 14k, 1991 - 43k? I don't know which one is which though) $100.00 each

Also have some other parts and pieces like original 1990 red carpet, cheap molded plastic floor protectors, car cover.

Non-ZR-1/Corvette related; a pretty complete Chevy 454 with about 20+ hours on it.
Pair of BB iron heads w/rectangular ports.

UR

[Jeffvette]

Robin, I'll take the starter, interested in what the coil pack bracket it is. If it's the black base and metal grounding plane I'll take those.

Also PM me with your phone number.

Jeff

[Pete]

Anybody buy these heads.
I was interested in the cams.


Pete

[2ZR1S]

OK I have come up with a price for the heads. I think the price is quite fair especially considering they have been ported by a master and are thermal coated. The thermal coating should provide some added protection should the fuel mix get too lean.

$2,200.00 for the heads and covers picked up in Wood River, IL.

Note that does not include the cams, the followers (lifters), or shipping.

I will throw in the head-bolts (torqued one time), the original Torx cam cover bolts (some are rough), a partial stainless steel bolt kit (missing the six small bolts in the covers), and two unused factory exhaust gaskets.

$400.00 for the four stock cams and followers picked up in Wood River, IL. The heads buyer has first dibs on the cams; Pete is next in line (if still interested).

Wood River, IL 62095 is about 20 miles NE of St. Louis MO.

My e-mail is zr-1 at unclerobin3.com

Thanks for everybody’s input and the kind words from tpepmeie & XfireZ51 – both good buyers BTW.

Uncle Robin

I will take the ac compresser
A/C Compressor - Rebuilt, (1990) unused with clutch $115.00
jtrobert@hughes.net

[guinnessdood]

I am interested in the heads if they are still available...for $2200.00 plus shipping. PM me or e-mail me at guinnessdood@yahoo.com

[UncleRobin]

Gee where have I been all day? :)

Pete you are first on the list for the cams. If Uly takes the heads and passes on the cams they will be waiting for you.

Jon (2ZR1S) got you down for the A/C compressor. I send you an e-mail

Thanks,
Uncle Robin

[blackjack]

also interested in the heads...put my name on the list
bj

[guinnessdood]

also interested in the heads...put my name on the list
bjThey're sold to me...:D ! Should arrive by week's end. Now the fun begins. Throttle Body porting to 63MM, airhorn porting, powdercoating...port matching the plenum to the heads...should put a few more ponies to the wheels...

[Zr1 Destroyer]

They're sold to me...:D ! Should arrive by week's end. Now the fun begins. Throttle Body porting to 63MM, airhorn porting, powdercoating...port matching the plenum to the heads...should put a few more ponies to the wheels...=D>:thumbsup:

[guinnessdood]

Heads Received installed same....well not quite yet...thanks Uncle Robin!

[UncleRobin]

Heads Received installed same....well not quite yet...thanks Uncle Robin!
Gee Uly you had the whole weekend.:)

I take it everything arrived OK and in good shape.

Thanks again Uly.

UR

[Zr1 Destroyer]

Heads Received installed same....well not quite yet...thanks Uncle Robin!What are you waiting for......get that damn motor out already would ya!!!:D You have fifty extra ponies just waiting to be unleashed....lol.

Did you get them flowed yet?:icon_scra:sleepy1::dancing

[Pete]

Got the cams.
Great packing job,best i've seen.
Thanks Uncle Robin

Pete

[UncleRobin]

Good to hear Pete.
Thanks for the nice words and the purchase.:thumbsup:

UR




Got the cams.
Great packing job,best i've seen.
Thanks Uncle Robin

Pete

[XfireZ51]

What are you waiting for......get that damn motor out already would ya!!!:D You have fifty extra ponies just waiting to be unleashed....lol.

Did you get them flowed yet?:icon_scra:sleepy1::dancing

Are you saying ported heads alone are worth 50 ponies? :jawdrop:

[Zr1 Destroyer]

Are you saying ported heads alone are worth 50 ponies? :jawdrop:An easy 50 horse if not more with the rest of the top end ported to match.

[UncleRobin]

On a stock 1990 adding a ported top-end, a good tune and cam timing, headers and after-market exhaust, should net in the area of 100+ HP.

I feel like I am armchair racing now. :)

UR

[XfireZ51]

On a stock 1990 adding a ported top-end, a good tune and cam timing, headers and after-market exhaust, should net in the area of 100+ HP.

I feel like I am armchair racing now. :)

UR

UR,

Just to clarify, if you've already done the exhaust and top end, you're saying the heads are worth an additional 50hp? Is that a porting job or does it include bigger valves, chamber work etc.? What's your take on the cam phasing?

[bradslt5]

i think it all depends on the porter . i know petes porting is very well thought out and could on its own add 40-50- hp with a good valve job . i dont think bigger valves help until you go to 385 or bigger . JMHO

[Pete]

UR,

Just to clarify, if you've already done the exhaust and top end, you're saying the heads are worth an additional 50hp? Is that a porting job or does it include bigger valves, chamber work etc.? What's your take on the cam phasing?

Dom,a complete 350ci with all the bells and whistles gets an average of 430 RWHP,your Z makes 390rwhp add heads it will get you to approx. 430rwhp a gain of 40 rwhp very close to the 50 crank HP.

Pete

[HADI-ZR1]

what is the max. HP you get from best porting LT5 heads??

[Pete]

UR,

Just to clarify, if you've already done the exhaust and top end, you're saying the heads are worth an additional 50hp? Is that a porting job or does it include bigger valves, chamber work etc.? What's your take on the cam phasing?

Big valves with stock bore will loose power.

All this tech talk in the For Sale section,goes to show some of us will talk ZR-1 stuff anywhere,we're crazy.

Pete

[XfireZ51]

Dom,a complete 350ci with all the bells and whistles gets an average of 430 RWHP,your Z makes 390rwhp add heads it will get you to approx. 430rwhp a gain of 40 rwhp very close to the 50 crank HP.

Pete

Pete,

Thanks. That's what I was trying to understand. Maybe next year, I'll let you and Al get your greasy mitts on it. :sign10: :worship:

[guinnessdood]

The heads are for sale again. $2200 plus shipping. Make me a reasonable offer. They gotta go!

Uly

[blackjack]

the heads have finally found a home in the great white north...their journey is over...thanks uly...thanks,uncle robin :handshak:
bj

[blackjack]

now,beware the rustangs:)
bj

[kenthompson]

Dang, I just came in to some extra funding and was going to go find these tonight.

Oh well. Enjoy them.