Currently I am running a H23a GUDE head that was ported and polished that also received a racing grind valve job. It is being used on my current 423whp set-up. This set-up will receive a few more goodies to it and hopefully hit the 500whp barrier shortly, so keep in mind the headwork will be more then a basic port and polish job.

So recently I have discovered the valve guides are completely shot and the valve stem seals are also going bad, so that means about $110 in labor to have the new guides and stem seals installed.

I have been wanting to go with a different company to do head work since I have a new head laying around and now I guess is a good time.

So basically what are some good shops you would recommend? I have done a search but everything is really scattered out.

http://www.portflow.com - last I heard they don't work on h23a heads which is a shame

http://www.dprracing.com

Extrude Hone

Endyne

JG - i'm going to pass on this one.... lol

Any comments about these companies would be great. More references would also be great to have. I would stay with the GUDE head but something is just telling me to start from scratch on this one.

 

It isn't cheap, but try KMS Engine Development... http://www.honda-performance.com

Kauffman is local to Atlanta, and he does pretty good work.

 

your in SC? why not go to Brad @ RLZ in Concord, NC? he can do a great job.
http://www.hondaraceengines.com/company.htm

they do some awsome work there.

 

Look into RLZENGINEering, They do great work

 

I recommend Joe Alaniz.

Alaniz Head Technologies

 

When i am ready to get my head ported and polished i will be going with RLZ engineering for sure! Not onbly do they do great work but very friendly to talk to.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BodyKits NW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I recommend Joe Alaniz.

Alaniz Head Technologies </TD></TR></TABLE>

joe is a great guy i recommend his work 110%. he will work with you.

 

I've heard good things about alaniz as well.

Anybody have any feedback on endyn?

 

I also have heard good things about http://www.hondaraceengines.com/

just say no to extrude hone and jg... I dont like either personally.

 

DH-RACING.COM..

some of the best portflowist's in the country.
Dave Hickman himself hand polishes for very cheap.

i can get you 5% off also..
let me know.

ryankull101@hotmail.com

 

i got my head and valve springs done by portflow......like 2 yrs ago...

 

Well I made some calls...

Portflow - $900
port & polish
multi-angle valve job
deshroud valve area in chamber
polish chambers
surface or mill to customer spec
assembly

RLZ engineering $2095 stage 3
Inspection of complete head
Check all surfaces for straightness
Fully ported to race specs
Chambers reshaped and polished
Race valve job
Mill head to our specs
Reassemble Head Includes new Valve seals
Includes Custom .5mm OS valves, retainers, springs. New guides, seals, seats installed.

DH Racing - $950
Basically same stuff as portflow


I can justify spending $900 on a head, but $2,095 is a bit on the extreme side... If this motor was being used as a strict drag car, then sure I would fork out $2k. I really want to go with portflow because of their reputation or endyn just because of the amount of praise they have gotten. Endyn also has a GREAT tech write up on their site dealing with head working.

I still have not gotten a hold of ALANIZ or ENDYN. Anybody know how much they typically charge on head work?

 

I've got DPR Stage IV work on my LS head, with Web Cams. I've had the occasional overrev to 10K+ with no ill effects...Whose LS do you know that will pull to 9600 on a daily basis?

my 2 cents...

 

Did you try KMS Engine Development? They are $1000 for Stage 3:

Gasket Matched
Port Job
Valves Lightened
New Radius on Valves
Extreme Reshaping of Valves
Springs
Cams HIGHLY Recommended

More info @ http://www.honda-performance.c...age=3

 

RLZ for sure


they dont work for/on Nascar stuff for no reason....

 

Endyn..

 

RLZ's price above includes valvetrain, the others don't. Gottat compare apples to apples man. I use RLZ on my customers heads.

 

http://www.justiceracingengines.com


He does all of Jason Hunts stuff and ours.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tony1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">RLZ's price above includes valvetrain, the others don't. Gottat compare apples to apples man. I use RLZ on my customers heads. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I knew there was a reason I didn't think you were a total moron...

You have, what, $260 in Ferrea valves, $80-ish in guides, $80-ish in seats, $120 in springs, I forget how much in retainers, and the labor for the extra seat/guide install inflating the price. You also have one of the finest head porters in the world and definitely the finest Honda head porter in the world touching your ****. When I had some young stunna who lives local to me approach me about a $bling$ build I drove his *** that weekend down to Concord to meet Brad and Howard. I think you should cruise up that way and talk to them in person and get the tour of the shop... Brad will seem a little distant at first; he works every day of the week and is usually dead on his feet, takes him five minutes or so to warm up to you. After that, you'll be in love.

RLZ is also the finest place in the world to get some B-series VTEC cams

 

The thing is I don't know if my set-up NEEDS valve-train work. Oversized valves? If I want to push more air into the motor, I can simply turn up my boost. At least, this is what I have been told from several shops and research.

My setup is an H23a motor, therefore it will not be a high reving motor. Which means I will only be taking it up to about a 7200 max rpm, therefore I really do not need stiffer springs or titanium retainers ($160ish). Currently I am running a GUDE head with stock valve-train, port and polishing work and a racing grind valve job. I am not going for a 600whp monster, I am just looking to hit the 500whp mark... which is only 75whp away.

RLZ is a very nice shop, but $2,095 is a bit out of my price range. If I do need titanium retaners and valve springs, alaniz can throw some in for only $285 extra.

Right now, I am looking into either going with Alaniz or Portflow. I have yet to get a hold of Larry from Endyn though...

 

Call RLZ back up and ask for the basic head modifications without all the trim. Brad will be firm about new valve guides, and possibly the seats, it's part of his mojo, but they're more than happy to do whatever you desire.

 

So what are everybody elses opinions when it comes to OS valves, springs, and retainers when it comes to my set-up?

Are OS valves going to REALLY give me that much of a gain with lower boost? I am not trying to have a half assed set-up, but I also cannot justify $2095 for a car I only drive 6 months out of the year.

 

Not that anybody cares, but I think I will be going with ENDYN. Larry took 20 min out of his busy schedule to go over my whole set-up and speak to me about every aspect of the H series heads from his experiences. The other companies may be reputable, but the way you treat customers is a HUGE reflection on the quality of work you will receive.

For those of you that care, it looks like I will be also running a .5mm OS ferrea valve and titanium retainers. I am not 100% sure on which spring I will be using right now though.

 

I just got my b series head back from Larry, he definatley does excellent work! He definatley gets my vote and headwork buisness.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by loud_whispers &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">DH-RACING.COM..

some of the best portflowist's in the country.
Dave Hickman himself hand polishes for very cheap.

i can get you 5% off also..
let me know.

ryankull101@hotmail.com</TD></TR></TABLE>

I wouldn't let Hickman touch any part of my motor