[Z06] American Heritage Performance (my experience)
12-16-2013, 07:07 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
American Heritage Performance (my experience)
As some of you guys know, I just had my heads sent to American Heritage Performance to get:
The owner answered the phone every time I called, never was short with me, never tried to get me off the phone, answered every one of my questions to where I could understand it.
It was a VERY big and tough decision not going with WCCH and sending my beloved cars heads to American Heritage, believe you me. Now I'm not discounting what WCCH means to cylinder heads and what they do with them. However after speaking to Kohle on the phone and through emails, I believe I made the right choice. It was an added benefit to hear the mechanic say "the heads looked great. The person who did this, knew what he was doing".
I've very excited to have "MY" car back. Not the valve issue laden thing I initially bought.... but the car I thought I was buying. A mean SOB that could take anything you throw at it. I've actually cracked 100MPH twice today :-). I'll be checking the heads in another 3,000mi and I will report then.... but until then I will drive it like I stole it!! Thanks Kohle!
- aftermarket PM valve guides, Ferrea F2042P exhaust valves, Treated TI intake valves, upgraded rockers with Comp Cams Rocker arm Truions, BTR dual valve springs with Titanium retainers.
The owner answered the phone every time I called, never was short with me, never tried to get me off the phone, answered every one of my questions to where I could understand it.
It was a VERY big and tough decision not going with WCCH and sending my beloved cars heads to American Heritage, believe you me. Now I'm not discounting what WCCH means to cylinder heads and what they do with them. However after speaking to Kohle on the phone and through emails, I believe I made the right choice. It was an added benefit to hear the mechanic say "the heads looked great. The person who did this, knew what he was doing".
I've very excited to have "MY" car back. Not the valve issue laden thing I initially bought.... but the car I thought I was buying. A mean SOB that could take anything you throw at it. I've actually cracked 100MPH twice today :-). I'll be checking the heads in another 3,000mi and I will report then.... but until then I will drive it like I stole it!! Thanks Kohle!
12-16-2013, 09:25 PM
#2
Congrats on getting your car back and the peace of mind that you apparently have now with regard to this matter. 
The thing that impressed me most about this outfit, is that they are the third investigators to identify discrepancy in the stock exhaust valve stem wall thickness.
240sx2jz and Chad being the others to identify the same valve stem wall thickness inconsistencies and variations.
When I asked American Heritage about this, they were very informative in their response to me via PM.
They informed me that they had actually done some measurements of exhaust valve wall stem thickness, and their opinion was that wall thickness was the issue with the valve, they were too thin, as well as consistency of that wall thickness throughout the entire valve.
So they were not only concerned with the actual consistency of stock exhaust valve wall stem thickness, but felt that the stock exhaust valve stem thickness was inadequate for the LS7 to begin with.
Made perfect sense to me, in light of all of the stock exhaust valve breakage incidents I've seen reported in here.
The fact that they didn't try and pass off the stock valves as being OK, and insult my intelligence in the face of all that I had observed over the years in here with these broken exhaust valves, , led to my immediate admiration for their efforts, no BS approach, and sincerity in trying to help their customers.
They are going to do well in here.
At any rate, congrats on your new heads and enjoy your car.
The thing that impressed me most about this outfit, is that they are the third investigators to identify discrepancy in the stock exhaust valve stem wall thickness.
240sx2jz and Chad being the others to identify the same valve stem wall thickness inconsistencies and variations.
When I asked American Heritage about this, they were very informative in their response to me via PM.
They informed me that they had actually done some measurements of exhaust valve wall stem thickness, and their opinion was that wall thickness was the issue with the valve, they were too thin, as well as consistency of that wall thickness throughout the entire valve.
So they were not only concerned with the actual consistency of stock exhaust valve wall stem thickness, but felt that the stock exhaust valve stem thickness was inadequate for the LS7 to begin with.
Made perfect sense to me, in light of all of the stock exhaust valve breakage incidents I've seen reported in here.
The fact that they didn't try and pass off the stock valves as being OK, and insult my intelligence in the face of all that I had observed over the years in here with these broken exhaust valves, , led to my immediate admiration for their efforts, no BS approach, and sincerity in trying to help their customers.
They are going to do well in here.
At any rate, congrats on your new heads and enjoy your car.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; 12-16-2013 at 09:35 PM.
12-16-2013, 09:59 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Thanks for the update and CONGRATS! I wish that those valves would have been available when WCCH upgraded my heads to their Stage II. Did A H recommend the BT duals springs as opposed to the beeehives? You're running the stock cam?
FWIW I continue to closely monitor my H/C package for leaks, strange sounds etc... With the Comp Cams trunion upgrade and new heads it is whisper quiet. The valve train that is, because the 427 with KOOKS 1 7/8" catless headers and BIG Billy Boat Gen III FUSIONS, she is NASCAR loud.
Lastly, I am glad that I am not the only one that drives it like I stole it.
I wish that those valves would have been available when WCCH upgraded my heads to their Stage II. Did A H recommend the BT duals springs as opposed to the beeehives? You're running the stock cam?FWIW I continue to closely monitor my H/C package for leaks, strange sounds etc... With the Comp Cams trunion upgrade and new heads it is whisper quiet. The valve train that is, because the 427 with KOOKS 1 7/8" catless headers and BIG Billy Boat Gen III FUSIONS, she is NASCAR loud.
Lastly, I am glad that I am not the only one that drives it like I stole it.
12-16-2013, 11:10 PM
#5
Team Owner
As some of you guys know, I just had my heads sent to American Heritage Performance to get:
The owner answered the phone every time I called, never was short with me, never tried to get me off the phone, answered every one of my questions to where I could understand it.
It was a VERY big and tough decision not going with WCCH and sending my beloved cars heads to American Heritage, believe you me. Now I'm not discounting what WCCH means to cylinder heads and what they do with them. However after speaking to Kohle on the phone and through emails, I believe I made the right choice. It was an added benefit to hear the mechanic say "the heads looked great. The person who did this, knew what he was doing".
I've very excited to have "MY" car back. Not the valve issue laden thing I initially bought.... but the car I thought I was buying. A mean SOB that could take anything you throw at it. I've actually cracked 100MPH twice today :-). I'll be checking the heads in another 3,000mi and I will report then.... but until then I will drive it like I stole it!! Thanks Kohle!
- aftermarket PM valve guides, Ferrea F2042P exhaust valves, Treated TI intake valves, upgraded rockers with Comp Cams Rocker arm Truions, BTR dual valve springs with Titanium retainers.
The owner answered the phone every time I called, never was short with me, never tried to get me off the phone, answered every one of my questions to where I could understand it.
It was a VERY big and tough decision not going with WCCH and sending my beloved cars heads to American Heritage, believe you me. Now I'm not discounting what WCCH means to cylinder heads and what they do with them. However after speaking to Kohle on the phone and through emails, I believe I made the right choice. It was an added benefit to hear the mechanic say "the heads looked great. The person who did this, knew what he was doing".
I've very excited to have "MY" car back. Not the valve issue laden thing I initially bought.... but the car I thought I was buying. A mean SOB that could take anything you throw at it. I've actually cracked 100MPH twice today :-). I'll be checking the heads in another 3,000mi and I will report then.... but until then I will drive it like I stole it!! Thanks Kohle!
Can you provide a ball park 'all-in' (head work and R&R) number for your "fix"? 
12-17-2013, 01:20 AM
#8
Team Owner
These guys sound like a good choice. I'm planning in giving them a call shortly. It's nice having choices.
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Slasheshat (12-13-2020)
12-17-2013, 10:53 AM
#12
Racer
Navy, congrats on getting them done. Kohle is a great guy, I had my heads, cam, headers, pretty everything done with him, now at 12k miles since and my Z is still running perfect.
12-17-2013, 02:21 PM
#13
12-17-2013, 03:15 PM
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
Just to make a very clear point: American Heritage and the owner Kohle didn't put me up to this, he didn't give me a discount or any other inventive to write this review. I was/am happy with how AH and Kohle treated me and conducted business. Call him, make your own decisions. Between what the mechanic told me of his opinion about the quality of the head work, AH turn around time, Kohle's availability and knowledge..... I'm happy with the path I chose. Just sharing the love :-)
12-20-2013, 03:04 PM
#15
Supporting Vendor
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: Harbor City California
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NavyAirTraffic, thank you for your business. Glad to hear your finally driving your Z like intended.
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/