Heads with a "small cam"
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 105
From: st. louis, MO. USA
Heads with a "small cam"
A little while ago I posted a thread asking what heads would be a good choice for me. I would like to shoot for 400 rwhp. I have air intake, mallett exhaust, LT headers, and a 221 .558 lunati cam. Everyone seemed to agree that LS-6 heads would be just fine. The AFR's , although nice, is probably a little more than I need (and more expensive). Ok so heres my stupid question: When they said LS6 heads, does that mean just throw some stock ones on?? Or do they mean CNC, ported polished, etc??? Will I get very much improvement if I bought a set of Z06 heads and just threw them on as is? And will I need anything else-- I already have chromoly hardened pushrods and comp 918 springs. Do I need any other accessories?
thanks guys
Rob
thanks guys
Rob
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 52
From: Wentzville, MO.
I'd add an LS6 intake as well....regarding the heads.. I don't know but I did see a couple good deals in the for sale section recently... fiqure you will spend a couple of dollars getting used heads tanked and surface milled....and 02 and up LS6 heads will be around $800
TEA Heads
Patriot Heads
not endorsing either one ... in your quest for 400rwhp
the 5.3s should give you a bump in compression....
TEA Heads
Patriot Heads
not endorsing either one ... in your quest for 400rwhp
the 5.3s should give you a bump in compression....
Last edited by 99SilverC5Coupe; Feb 26, 2005 at 12:09 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Originally Posted by ArKay99
If you want 400rwhp with that cam you will need P&P CNC'ed heads. IMHO.
When you asked what heads to get awhile ago. The members that answered you must have meant that you should use stock LS6 heads. Because if you buy a set of stock LS6 heads and pay to have them CNC or ported by hand ported. You would be spending about the same amount of money it would cost to buy AFR heads.
Last edited by Mitch C; Feb 26, 2005 at 03:42 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,003
Likes: 248
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I think the Stock LS6 heads are about 20 HP more than the stock LS1 heads.
With that cam, your bolt ons, LS6 manifold and cam, you'll be close to 400 RWHP. Im talking either JUST over it or JUST under it depending on the tune and dyno. My bet is just under the 400 RWHP
With that cam, your bolt ons, LS6 manifold and cam, you'll be close to 400 RWHP. Im talking either JUST over it or JUST under it depending on the tune and dyno. My bet is just under the 400 RWHP
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,059
Likes: 4,146
From: Bergen county NJ
Go for the AFR heads if your spending the money to buy ls6 heads and having them port and polished....'
The valvetrain upgrades on stock ls6 heads brings your cost to about 1200 if you do it right with dual valve spring kit..
If your spending the money on the head installation already rather than go stock ls6 with valvetrain upgrade, or the ported ls6 heads you might as well spend the extra 900 for the best heads out there. (afr)
If you want inexpensive heads you should just go with ls1 heads that have been ported and polished...with dual springs...
AA Andy has nice products if your self installing but my recommendation is to go with dual valve springs no matter what...
Crane, or comp 921's duals would be my choice.
JMO
The valvetrain upgrades on stock ls6 heads brings your cost to about 1200 if you do it right with dual valve spring kit..
If your spending the money on the head installation already rather than go stock ls6 with valvetrain upgrade, or the ported ls6 heads you might as well spend the extra 900 for the best heads out there. (afr)
If you want inexpensive heads you should just go with ls1 heads that have been ported and polished...with dual springs...
AA Andy has nice products if your self installing but my recommendation is to go with dual valve springs no matter what...
Crane, or comp 921's duals would be my choice.
JMO
Last edited by JerriVette; Feb 26, 2005 at 07:10 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,809
Likes: 344
From: Albuquerque NM
Instead of spending the big bucks for a set of AFR or Z06 ported heads, look into a set of 5.3 truck heads, with big valves, ported. They will cost less, give more compression, and with a small cam flow very well. See my sig, I'm running them with a smaller cam: 218/218 dur, 114 lsa, .58" lift. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 105
From: st. louis, MO. USA
So what kind of power increase would I see with staying with LS1 heads that are cnc'd --like the ones from lingenfelter or Andy's????
they run around 1500 bucks-- would it be much of a gain with my 221 .558 cam?? Just want to have some idea
they run around 1500 bucks-- would it be much of a gain with my 221 .558 cam?? Just want to have some idea
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