Suggestions on Heads...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: phoenix AZ
Suggestions on Heads...
currently own a 98 c5 corvette m6 mods: VRx5 cam (complete kit from vengeance racing) TEA dual golds, trickflow 7.400 rods, ls2 oild pump, double roller timing chain, vararam cold air, JBA long tube headers, billyboat bullets and off road x-pipe. Im interested in looking into doing something with the stock heads, but from what im gather most heads+ls6 intake are only good for about a 30-40 rwhp gain. That being said i want suggestions on how to keep this project around 1100 in parts alone. To me 30-40 rwhp is not worth anything more than 1000. Also would like a set of heads that works with my current cam and valvetrain setup or only requires minimal changes... i.e changing the rods is understandable... Not planning on supercharging this car so compression ratio is not a concern.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Not sure you can get to where you want to be for less than $1100. Buy a set of used 243's and have them CNC'd at a reputable shop? Buy a set of used CNC'd heads and have a machine shop go over them? I see most of the cheaper sets going for around $1500 but normally they run $2500 for CNC'd new heads.
I also am having head work done on my stock 806's and know I'll get a bump in hp, but not like I would from a set of aftermarket $3000 set of heads. But I'm just trying to aviod flycutting my pistons and /or any additional engine work that may be needed. I'm keeping my stock bottom end. So far I've learned that having my 806's ported with a better valve job is best bang for my buck. I'm on a budget so I have to be very careful how much I spend.
I also am having head work done on my stock 806's and know I'll get a bump in hp, but not like I would from a set of aftermarket $3000 set of heads. But I'm just trying to aviod flycutting my pistons and /or any additional engine work that may be needed. I'm keeping my stock bottom end. So far I've learned that having my 806's ported with a better valve job is best bang for my buck. I'm on a budget so I have to be very careful how much I spend.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: phoenix AZ
yeah the 243 idea was what i had my eye on but even then heads just are not that cheap on these cars... im gonna just slap a procharger on the car and call it a day. Was just hoping there was some secret i was missing... i picked up 50 rwhp with a cam on a budget and was lookin for a trick on heads...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: Columbia TN
Sorry to say but there are no tricks on heads. A good find on a set of 243 heads with sodium filled valves is $550. If you have say AI port and polish them it's another $1000 with shipping. Then you've got lifters and trays for say $175. Finally, there are all the gaskets and such that you'll need.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,926
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From: Not where I want to be!!
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19
I purchased a set of Patriot Stage 2 243 heads w/ 59cc chambers a year ago or so for 1195$. That in combination with the cam I installed I picked up close to 80 RWHP. I had already installed headers, CAI & cat back previously.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,595
Likes: 1,711
From: Converse TX
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: phoenix AZ
yeah my biggest goal was to throw some heads on the car that would bolt right in. As is no altering my trickflow 7.400 pushrods, my springs etc. So the best bet is sounding like 243 heads ported... heads+new gaskets all around... plug and play?
