Heads ? do it or not
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: Lindenwold New Jersey
Heads ? do it or not
Hello all,
I have a few quesstions hopeing you guys can help. I was talking to Steve at CT and in the next week or so I will be droping my Vette off to him to have a cam installed and was wondering if I should also do the heads at the same time? my car right now is all stock its a 2003 with the LS1 automatic with 2.73 rear. Iam on a pretty tight budget right now, so I was wondering if Buying a set of stock 243 heads would be worth the money and time at this point . will it help or are my stock LS1 heads good enough for now? eventualy I will do some 3.42's and a catback and long tubes. but should I just do the cam and hold off till I can buy better heads ? I can buy a brand new set of 243 heads for $600.00 ( form another sorce). is this the normal selling price for a complete set of 243's
thank you in advance for any info you guy's can give me.
Phil
I have a few quesstions hopeing you guys can help. I was talking to Steve at CT and in the next week or so I will be droping my Vette off to him to have a cam installed and was wondering if I should also do the heads at the same time? my car right now is all stock its a 2003 with the LS1 automatic with 2.73 rear. Iam on a pretty tight budget right now, so I was wondering if Buying a set of stock 243 heads would be worth the money and time at this point . will it help or are my stock LS1 heads good enough for now? eventualy I will do some 3.42's and a catback and long tubes. but should I just do the cam and hold off till I can buy better heads ? I can buy a brand new set of 243 heads for $600.00 ( form another sorce). is this the normal selling price for a complete set of 243's
thank you in advance for any info you guy's can give me.
Phil
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
From: Grafton Ohio
Heads
With the amount of labor it takes to change the cam, I would definitely save the extra $$$ for a set of heads. Better flowing heads will allow you to choose a more aggressive cam than you would use with the stock heads while still retaining great street manners and much more power than a cam swap alone.
As for those Patriot heads....
http://www.patriot-performance.com/w...p?x=1&DID=1225
Jer.
As for those Patriot heads....
http://www.patriot-performance.com/w...p?x=1&DID=1225
Jer.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: Lindenwold New Jersey
Thanks for the info guys . and the link Iam really itching to get this stuff going . Ill see what Steve can do for me as far as heads as well and find so way to come up with the extra cash and have it all done at once.
Phil
Phil
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
I have had the g5x3 cam in my car for over a year now and it had great street manners. It is my daily driver so i dont think you can say that a better flowing heads makes the car run better, It does produce more power, but not make it run better. The street manners are involved in the tune. If your interested in the Patroit heads you may also want to check out texas Speed's heads. I have heard great things about them also......
Chris
Chris
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Yeah they are very comperable prices to one another. Depending on what size cam you go with with determine which heads would be best. Call them just to see what they recommend. And if you read over on LS1Tech you will find lots of cpmparisons between TSP heads and Patriot heads. Good luck with your decision 
Chris
Chris
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 464
Likes: 4
From: Westland MI
I'd definitely do heads w/ the cam, but don't think it would be worth it to install unported 243's. I was very happy with my Livernois CNC 243heads and the power my car made, I just wish I would have went slightly larger with the cam.
-Rick
-Rick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 5
From: West Michigan crew Mich
CI 7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08 & '12
Ihmo you might get more bang for the buck with a gear and torque converter change. In order to get the most out of H/C or just cam you will need long tubes which will add to the cost. But I may be wrong I am sure you will get good advice here
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
Doing heads at the same time can save money in the long run. (ie labor and re-tune) also, make sure the cam is a good match for the heads. combination is key. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: Lindenwold New Jersey
thats the reason for wanting to do the heads now . being the cars already go to be apart. plus the fact of the tuning . just tight on cash so Iam looking for the best option on a tight budget. The rear and long tubes will come later. we all have to start some where.. but funds will only go this far for now. Thanks for the input. any of you have a set of heads theyed like to sell ? 
hey I got to ask 
Phil
hey I got to ask Phil
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
Don't forget that you still have the stock torque converter. Your car probably idles at about 600rpm now. If you choose a cam that needs to idle above 750rpm your driving comfort starts to degrade and you might not like it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: Lindenwold New Jersey
What kind of price will like a 2800 stall go for? and any idea where I can get one? just talked the wife into letting me do the heads and cam setup 
Ill have to see if I can work a stall into it. shes going to kill me
remember Iam on a budget.
Ill have to see if I can work a stall into it. shes going to kill me remember Iam on a budget.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
From: Grafton Ohio
Just a thought.
Jer.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
It's way less expensive to have a TC done at the same time you do the 3.42's since the transmission and differential are together. You save on the labor costs to do the TC and gears at the same time.
Sorry to create a headache for you.
Talk to CT Steve about everything dicussed here. See what fits your budget and take a step at a time.
Last edited by bcseitz; Mar 18, 2007 at 08:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: Lindenwold New Jersey
No problem this is all good info Iam not that new to this stuff . I Have built a few cars in my day just not super up to date on the new stuff . plus time issues with work but I will install the new carrier and stall myself than have it retuned. I guess Iam more old school type of a tech.
but so far I have got noting but good advice from you guy and I Thank you all for the help....you know us old guys need all the help we can get
Thanks again All
Phil M
but so far I have got noting but good advice from you guy and I Thank you all for the help....you know us old guys need all the help we can get Thanks again All
Phil M
Last edited by philsy; Mar 18, 2007 at 10:14 PM.