Lets talk heads
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Greenville NC
Lets talk heads
I am looking into getting new heads for my car, and want the best I can do for up to around $2K. I dont know a lot on the topic, but I had TEA heads recommended to me, saying they are the best out of the box (even when compared to AFR heads) - I am leaning towards the stage 3 5.3L heads since they flow the best, and I only want to do this once. Here's their flow data
LS1 5.3 Stage 3
Lift Intake Exhaust
.100" 70.9 55.1
.200" 150 115.3
.300" 210 157
.400" 257.3 200.6
.500" 294 255.7
.550" 308.2 268.3
.600" 322 276
Randy
LS1 5.3 Stage 3
Lift Intake Exhaust
.100" 70.9 55.1
.200" 150 115.3
.300" 210 157
.400" 257.3 200.6
.500" 294 255.7
.550" 308.2 268.3
.600" 322 276
Randy
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,275
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver WA
If I was going to spend $2000 on heads, then I would chose the AFR's if it was up to me. 205's unless you are running bigger cubic inches. If you want to save some $$$, DART is about to introduce a LS1 head. It looks to flow a little less that the AFR/s but I heard that they will be about $1100-$1200 a set. I have seen Dyno sheets of the AFR/s and they don't lose any bottom end torque. Remember, Flow isn't everything. Velocity is very important. I remember a person saying one time...... you can't drag race a flow bench.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Greenville NC
I understand what you're saying. But after talking with Jeff Creech (a popular tuner here in NC who specializes in LS1's) he says AFR heads aren't as good out of the box as TEA heads. However, he said if I was to get AFR heads and do additional work to them, then that would be a better route. I would like to make close to 450rwhp with the heads I go with, with the mods listed in my signature
Randy
Randy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,003
Likes: 249
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Hmmmmmmmmm
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382206
I have new AFR heads that would be perfect for you.
let me know
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382206
I have new AFR heads that would be perfect for you.
let me know
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 43
From: Addison TX
Originally Posted by ecudooberhead
I am looking into getting new heads for my car, and want the best I can do for up to around $2K. I dont know a lot on the topic, but I had TEA heads recommended to me, saying they are the best out of the box (even when compared to AFR heads) - I am leaning towards the stage 3 5.3L heads since they flow the best, and I only want to do this once. Here's their flow data
LS1 5.3 Stage 3
Lift Intake Exhaust
.100" 70.9 55.1
.200" 150 115.3
.300" 210 157
.400" 257.3 200.6
.500" 294 255.7
.550" 308.2 268.3
.600" 322 276
Randy
LS1 5.3 Stage 3
Lift Intake Exhaust
.100" 70.9 55.1
.200" 150 115.3
.300" 210 157
.400" 257.3 200.6
.500" 294 255.7
.550" 308.2 268.3
.600" 322 276
Randy
CFM@28"
.200 159
.300 225
.400 276
.450 294
.500 308
.550 319
.600 329
Best Regards,
John Page
Twenty First Century Muscle Cars
Authorized Lingenfelter Performance Dealer
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by RED99
I have seen Dyno sheets of the AFR/s and they don't lose any bottom end torque. Remember, Flow isn't everything. Velocity is very important. I remember a person saying one time...... you can't drag race a flow bench.
You cant realize the true performance of these heads except on the street. flow sheets are good to make paper planes out of them. 
No one has come close to producing the port velocitylike the 205sGet AFRs and dont look back!
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
TEA is one of the best out there. If you check their dyno # you'll see. I did the best of both worlds. I went with the AFR blanks ported by TEA. It is a big inch motor but what impressed me was at 2000 rpm in overdrive the car has great manners, but the heads flow 349 @ .700 on the intake. Car made 530 RWH with mild cam and small headers.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by ecudooberhead
Would you recommend AFR's over the LPE Stage 2 heads? What kind of power did you achieve with yoursetup?
Randy
Randy
do some research first, then pair it up with a good cam. you wont be sorry! 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Originally Posted by Ikester
No one has come close to producing the port velocity like the 205s
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
If you have a $2K budget the AFR's are out of the picture. The AFR's are closer to $2,500 by the time you upgrade the valve train, etc.
I'm happy with my WCCH LS1 heads. There are lots of great head porters out there. ET, LPE, TEA, Cartek, etc.
The new Dart heads look interesting.
Mark
I'm happy with my WCCH LS1 heads. There are lots of great head porters out there. ET, LPE, TEA, Cartek, etc.
The new Dart heads look interesting.
Mark
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Greenville NC
I can find used AFR's all day long for $2K... plus I already have upgraded valve springs in my LS1 heads I'll use. I am not terribly concerned with pricing, I would just like to keep it around $2K, but I want essentially the best I can get in the price range. I have had a lot of different opinions though, a lot seem to think AFR is the way to go though
Randy
Randy
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 2mcvett
TEA is one of the best out there. If you check their dyno # you'll see. I did the best of both worlds. I went with the AFR blanks ported by TEA. It is a big inch motor but what impressed me was at 2000 rpm in overdrive the car has great manners, but the heads flow 349 @ .700 on the intake. Car made 530 RWH with mild cam and small headers.
Interesting...... what is the lift of your cam?? Do you have a .700 lift cam to utilize the flow? How's the flow under the curve? Is your car a d.d.? Please describe your engine combo. No specs mean diddly.