Following an extensive development and validation process, CNC-ported LT1 heads should be available early next year from Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center.
“We take the GM casting, conduct the R&D and develop the best port we can find,” explains Keith Wilson of Scoggin-Dickey. “Then we’ll take the head to the CNC center to duplicate the port designs.”
Scoggin-Dickey works with a number of well-respected porters and race-head builders, evaluating their designs and comparing both their flow numbers and SDPC’s in-house tests. But peak flow numbers aren’t the deciding factor.
“It’s quality of flow,” adds Wilson.
The LT1 development program reflects the success Scoggin-Dickey enjoys with its CNC-ported LS7 head, and lessons learned from that project are leveraged in the current search for improved performance. Some of those LS7 prospective port designs took too much metal out of the roof of the port to increase flow, but then the foundations for the valve springs were weakened too much for durability, especially with increasing spring pressures.
But early results for the LT1 project are promising. One potential port design increased intake airflow at .600 lift from 296.0 cfm to 336.2 cfm. Exhaust improved from 195.7 cfm to 226.2 cfm.
“We haven’t solidified our best port yet,” says Wilson. “But the head should be available in the first part of 2015.”
Scoggin-Dickey is also expanding its operation to include a new machine shop and custom engine-building operation. On display in its SEMA tent was a new 598ci bracket and sportsman engine rated at 1,190 horsepower with 900 lb-ft peak torque. It features a Brodix 9.800-inch deck height aluminum block with half-filled coolant passages, Brodix SR20 CNC heads, titanium valves, Jesel belt drive, Moroso oiling, Diamond 15:1 pistons, Total Seal rings, Manley rods, Callies crankshaft, Comp Cams camshaft, T&D rockers, Brodix intake, APD carb, MSD ignition, Manton pushrods and ATI balancer.
“This engine should run 300 passes before it needs a freshening,” says Wilson. “We’ve done a lot of work in setting it up.”
Scoggin-Dickey also showed off a large selection of crate engines available from its inventory. The video below gives an insight into what’s available and the many applications for the crate engine.