Holy heads.....???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Mentor Ohio
Holy heads.....???
I had no idea the wide variety of heads out there (to include wide range of prices). OK....the meat and potatoes! I need heads....I did a cam install last spring. This included a 230/232 Futral cam with push rods, springs, retainers, oil pump, timing chain, etc. Now I want to place some heads on her. The questions are-
1) Which is best? There are 'truck heads', ported LS1, LS6, AFR's.....
2) Since I have done the rods, springs and stuff, can I get heads that are just the heads? Or do they all come with the noted items already installed.
Any thoughts and knowledge of good deals are welcome.
'99 M6 3.73 rear, LS6 intake manifold, LT headers, noted cam, and various bolt on goods. Its a street car and not racer. But I want the best bang for the buck......
Thanks for all knowledge and attention!
1) Which is best? There are 'truck heads', ported LS1, LS6, AFR's.....
2) Since I have done the rods, springs and stuff, can I get heads that are just the heads? Or do they all come with the noted items already installed.
Any thoughts and knowledge of good deals are welcome.
'99 M6 3.73 rear, LS6 intake manifold, LT headers, noted cam, and various bolt on goods. Its a street car and not racer. But I want the best bang for the buck......
Thanks for all knowledge and attention!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Heads
You don't give a location, I would suggest calling ECS if you are on the east coast or Andy at A&A if you're on the west coast. You will get lots of different suggestions from forum member but these two shops do this for a living and have the experience with the different components and how they perform as they do the dyno work on their installs. Both shops are willing to give you their advice on what to run with your particular set-up. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Mentor Ohio
I am closer to the east coast. I will give ECS a call. I did some calling around earlier and someone suggested DART heads.......? I never heard of them but I guess they are made in Michigan. Anyone heard of these. They are an 'as cast' head and not ported??
THX
THX
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Midlothian Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by 4BTINGU
I am closer to the east coast. I will give ECS a call. I did some calling around earlier and someone suggested DART heads.......? I never heard of them but I guess they are made in Michigan. Anyone heard of these. They are an 'as cast' head and not ported??
THX
THX
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 0
From: Vilano Beach FL
Howdy!
It's definitely a head-o-rama in the LSX world!
While there used to only be one aftermarket casting, now there's like 3 or 4. And most of those are available as cast, or ported *OR* finished by a 3rd party (like Precision doing Dart heads).
Of course, you can also do some OEM LS1 or LS6 heads.
I like what I've been reading (here and LS1Tech) about the 11-degree ETP heads, in a 215cc, for stock 346ci bore. Of course, AFR's have been performing well for some time now. A vendor on this forum just had a great GP for 205 or 225 Dart heads going - they were hand finished, with thermal coating, even better valvetrain components, etc., like $1600 or so (?)
That's a reasonably stout FMS cam, heck, you might even think about a 90mm intake/TB setup when you do the heads, get it all tuned at one time!
I almost don't think you can go wrong!
It's definitely a head-o-rama in the LSX world!
While there used to only be one aftermarket casting, now there's like 3 or 4. And most of those are available as cast, or ported *OR* finished by a 3rd party (like Precision doing Dart heads).Of course, you can also do some OEM LS1 or LS6 heads.
I like what I've been reading (here and LS1Tech) about the 11-degree ETP heads, in a 215cc, for stock 346ci bore. Of course, AFR's have been performing well for some time now. A vendor on this forum just had a great GP for 205 or 225 Dart heads going - they were hand finished, with thermal coating, even better valvetrain components, etc., like $1600 or so (?)
That's a reasonably stout FMS cam, heck, you might even think about a 90mm intake/TB setup when you do the heads, get it all tuned at one time!
I almost don't think you can go wrong!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Mentor Ohio
I hope that GP is still floating around, but I would really like to hear from someone who actually has or used DART heads. The ported OEM's and AFR's are all over the place. I'm kinda worried about the DART, but I guess because I have never heard of them. It seems to me like an 'off brand' but what do I know......I would like to same money but I will pay more for good quality parts with a good rep!!........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,577
Likes: 3
From: Southern Maryland Maryland
If your looking for a good solid performer with decent bang for the buck, contact Jason @ TSP. We have installed a couple of his cylinder heads and have had great results. They make great power and a very cost effective option.
TSP sells from least expensive to most:
Stage 1 - 2.5
5.3 truck heads
LS6 heads
Dart Heads
PM me if you need more info...
TSP sells from least expensive to most:
Stage 1 - 2.5
5.3 truck heads
LS6 heads
Dart Heads
PM me if you need more info...
Last edited by Phil97SVT; Feb 22, 2006 at 10:11 AM.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 671
Likes: 16
From: Plano TX
Originally Posted by Phil97SVT
If your looking for a good solid performer with decent bang for the buck, contact Jason @ TSP. We have installed a couple of his cylinder heads and have had great results. They make great power and a very cost effective option.
TSP sells from least expensive to most:
Stage 1 - 2.5
5.3 truck heads
LS6 heads
Dart Heads
PM me if you need more info...
TSP sells from least expensive to most:
Stage 1 - 2.5
5.3 truck heads
LS6 heads
Dart Heads
PM me if you need more info...
check this out: You can't beat Texas Speed and Performance for results and Pricing!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...202&forum_id=1
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: St.Louis Missouri
Originally Posted by 4BTINGU
I am closer to the east coast. I will give ECS a call. I did some calling around earlier and someone suggested DART heads.......? I never heard of them but I guess they are made in Michigan. Anyone heard of these. They are an 'as cast' head and not ported??
THX
THX
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Dart is very popular and has been around for quite a while.
No shortage of head options.
WCCH is selling custom CNC'd Edlebrock heads.
Also add AFR and ETP to the list.
Tons of great options.
Mark
No shortage of head options.
WCCH is selling custom CNC'd Edlebrock heads.
Also add AFR and ETP to the list.
Tons of great options.
Mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 9,718
Likes: 229
From: Motor City Vettes Ringleader
SE Michigan Coordinator
CI 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'11,-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
AFR 205's here. My installer head them flowed, and the numbers came back as advertised!! With my comp cam, I'm runnin in the 11s.. I'm very satisfied with them
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Mentor Ohio
Thanks for the help everone!!!
I called Texas Speed and Performance and spoke to Jason. Talk about professional and helpful. He directed me toward the ported LS6. And for the price, it seems like a great option. He says they flow close to AFR's and Dart.
There is a valve upgrade option. They come with the stock LS6 valves and can be up graded to 2.04/1.575. This means little to a novice like me. Its a $400.00 option so I am not sure on what to do with the valves. Anyone have 'valve thoughts'??
I called Texas Speed and Performance and spoke to Jason. Talk about professional and helpful. He directed me toward the ported LS6. And for the price, it seems like a great option. He says they flow close to AFR's and Dart.
There is a valve upgrade option. They come with the stock LS6 valves and can be up graded to 2.04/1.575. This means little to a novice like me. Its a $400.00 option so I am not sure on what to do with the valves. Anyone have 'valve thoughts'??