Head skimmed polished and ported

[Andrewz]

What's the benefits? costing etc? Im replacing my head gasket so i would imagine its worth this being done whilst its in pieces?

[Jon_Doe]

Mine was leaking from the valve stem seals and I got a fresh head off Will Di Claudio (local 106gti guy who has won things at Castle Combe and looks after some other cars at Combe). He fitted a head with 3 way valve seats, ported and polished by himself and it all feels a lot sharper.

I have had my car from 55000 miles and it is now at 102000 miles and has always smoked a little bit before going downhill this year. Now you dont get any smoke whatsoever.

I would say when you get your head gasket done, get everything well sorted and consider all that porting and polishing a second part of what can be done.

Also, it depends who does the porting and polishing- I have ended up with a good result through Will, but as many people will say, its an artform and there are many people out there making ports bigger who may actually increase airflow but lose torque.
(i) Ensure head is working how it should
(ii) only get ported and polished work done by somebody who has a known track record!