I have a D series engine and am curious how much it should cost to have the head ported. I just spoke with someone and he gave me a price estimate of $300-$350. Is this accurate, or is it too little? I really don't want to be cheap and pay for poor work. I'd rather pay the extra and get it done properly. Please give me your invaluable opinions. Thanks!

 

I usually pay $200-250.

 

Ask in detail what kind of valve job you are getting and what the angles and width of the seats are. The valve job portion of headwork is very important.

 

300-350 is hardly enough to cover the dissasembling and cleaning of the head........

good port jobs cost well over $700.....and that should include pretty much everything you can think of......

 

Could you explain this in further detail?

Thanks so much!

 

Anyone... I really don't want to get ripped off on this one.

 

Porting is part science and part experience. It can take very little time, or weeks. What you're asking is kind of vague, like, "How much does it cost to improve my engine?" What I mean is, it's all by degree. There's simple port touchup, and at the other extreme, you have someone working on the head for weeks to get it as good as they can.

As the saying goes, "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?"

 

My buddy just got his 2001 EX ported and polished...cost him 850 with the valve job, but that was with skunk2 valves and etc...same fit as the B series so what the hey...

 

To properly port and polish a Head (16 valve) you will spend at least $175 for a valve job. (this should be included in the price of the portwork) also valve guide seals will have to be bought from a good source. Estimate $20-$30 dollars for this additional. Then we get to the real extensive part of the headwork... Shaping of the runner, bowl, short turn radius, etc... Since port work is basically an art, there are many different ways to get the most out of a head. Prices can vary severly based on reputation, experience and technique. Average price locally (where I live) is about $400 to $500 (not including valve job). An experienced porter will spend a lot of time making sure that his work is very consistant and that all of the ports flow the same by use of a flowbench. This is very meticulous work. I would strongly caution you if somebody has offered to do it that cheap. If their reputation is good, then that is a bonus. If they are a V8 shop claiming to know how to port 4 cylindeer heads, look into their work and track record first. Anyone can "port" a head, but actually getting gains out of it are another story.

Check out Portflow, Alaniz, Bensons. these are just a few of the top sources.

 

Port work does not mean you will be getting a valve job. That's extra.

Port work (PnP) can range from $350 for VERY mild to over $750 for aggressive. It involves hogging out and smoothing the port lines to improve and maximize air flow and mixture as well as exhaust flow on the intake and exhaust ports. You pay a little less if you dissassemble and re-assemble the head your self... just give 'em the bare head to be done and it will be cheaper. (Hope you have a spring compresser)

Porting is science, and an ART, be careful who does the work. A typical port job takes about 6-8 hours of work.


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You rock. I appreciate all of your help!!!!!!!!!!!