MagRed01Atty

I am having a difficult time deciding whether to have the stock heads on my 2001 M6 LS1 ported/polished or purchasing new heads from one of the forum vendors. I see alot of guys describing the great results they have received from newly purchased stage 1, or stage 2 heads. Is there any real advantage to purchasing new heads or can I get the same results from re-working my stock heads? All responces greatly appreciated.

402Sam

TTT for ya. I am also having the same controversy. Can someone chime in with a answer. Thanks :cheers:

CAPN17

It de[ends on what you intend, do you just want better performance driving around town or are you headed for the racs track or drag strip. Your end use of the car determines what is the better investment.

Caillou

:iagree:

MagRed01Atty

How so? If I am not headed for the drag strip should I just re-work my stock LS1 heads?

2KVetteMan

:lurk:

c5 devil

I wana know, too

need-for-speed

Guys, I'm no expert but from what I know, all of the heads out there (except the ones from GM Performance Parts) are stock heads that were ported. They are sold on an exchange basis so when you send yours in, they get ported and sent to someone else. This may be obvious but y'all asked. :) The only difference between having yours ported and doing the exchange, is the wait. If it were me, and I could wait (which I could), I'd have my own heads ported, being the **** type and all. The main thing is to send them to someone that knows their sh....., stuff, and pick out a cam while your at it and have the port work and cam made to go with each other. That will be the best way to maximize. Decide if your going to get headers before you even start so cam selection will be maximized too. :thumbs: :auto:

J-Rod

They are the same head that you have. In fact you can keep your heads and simply pay the core charge. My suggestion is that if you are thinking about doing a set of heads that if economy is the name of the game and you don't mid running 93 octane, go with a set of stage 1.5 TEA 5.3L heads. They have almost the same port design as an LS6, and once ported they flow better than an LS1 head. They also bump compression a bit.

If you are going to supercharge or go with a turbo, go with a ported 6.0L truck head.

If money is no object, get a ported LS6 head. It is the best head.

The 5.3L and 6.0L head take the things GM learned after the LS1 and incorporate them into those heads.

Failing all else you can port the LS1 head and have a good flowing head, there are simply better things out there. It is ok to port your heads, most shops will simply take them as a core and give you a set of ported heads in exchange so you aren't down for 6 weeks while they turn them around.

need-for-speed

Always insist on good head ;)

SAXN8R

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=572155

FKING1

You are right. I too being paranoid had the engine shop take a new set of GM heads and port and polish in exchange. Larger valves a must with porting. Go with 2.02 intake and 1.575 ex. If larger seats will be too close. Jesel 1.8 rockers on mine a nice add.


[Modified by FKING1, 9:51 PM 6/3/2003]

Jeff Jeff

The best bang for the buck are the 5.3L heads slightly milled. The core charge on them is around $250 for the pair. I just ordered heads/cam, but went with the '98 perimeter bolt ls1 castings so I did't have to mess with new valve covers, pcv system, etc required to use '99+ heads. The 5.3 heads allow you to achieve a higher compression ratio without milling the heads as much as you would have to mill the ls1 heads for the same compression. This allows you to run a larger cam due to P/V clearance issues. The ls6 heads will flow better, but the core charge on them is about $1200. You have to decide if it is worth that much cash for an extra 10 to 20 hp.