H/C Combo Recommendations
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Lake City AR
H/C Combo Recommendations
What setup would yall advise "Have Full Exhaust and CIA" Its a 3.15, A4. I would like to upgrade to
3.73s and a 3000-3300 range convertor in the near future also. Really looking at some upgrade factory heads and having port work done "No aftermarket $2500 heads". Also I don't want alot of lope with the cam either. Am I being to picky??
3.73s and a 3000-3300 range convertor in the near future also. Really looking at some upgrade factory heads and having port work done "No aftermarket $2500 heads". Also I don't want alot of lope with the cam either. Am I being to picky??
Last edited by RIP1976; Jun 4, 2007 at 02:32 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Seaside Ca.
I have a combination going together that sounds something like that...Texas Speed 5.3 stg 2.5, 224-224r-114, SS3600 Yank w/3.73, AHR headers, ls6 intake w/vararam, ASP ud pulley...i will post when it is done. Headers are being shipped as i post. I did a lot of research and also live in Ca...so the mods still have to pass smog. I could have gone with AFR 205's but couldn't justify the added expense for maybe a few more hp. I will post after it's installed and tuned. 
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 623
Likes: 11
From: Ankeny IA
Though the Darts don't make the peak flow #'s a lot of the factory ported castings do, the smaller port makes for much better velocity which makes for much better mid/low rpm performance. And they are very affordable too.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 6
From: Sahuarita AZ
I went with a Lunati 224/224 .576/.576 112 LSA (MTI Texas C2 grind) cam with ported/polished (stage 2) LS6 heads. I love the power and the sound is great. There is a mild lope at idle and the power band didn't move to far up in the rpm range.
I agree though that a place like Cartek, A&A Corvette, or Texas Speed & Performance might have exactly what you're looking for and at a great price. My heads cost me a lot more than I wanted them to since I had them all hand worked.
I agree though that a place like Cartek, A&A Corvette, or Texas Speed & Performance might have exactly what you're looking for and at a great price. My heads cost me a lot more than I wanted them to since I had them all hand worked.
Last edited by torchredfrc; Jun 4, 2007 at 09:09 PM. Reason: corrected lift - was .571 shoulda been .576 oops!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 908
Likes: 4
From: TROY MI
I went with the combo in my sig. The car idles and drives like stock.It pulls strong all the way to my shift point at 6500 rpm.I milled the heads .020" for a 11.1 CR. I actually incerased fuel economy. I get 28/29mpg highway and 17/18 mpg city.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 2
From: London(UK)/Troyes(France)
Just look in the performance result section! They run some great times on their H/C! Mid tens is possible with a Cartek H/C package. They reall know what they're doing! They are priced a little higher than some other sponsors but their reuslts and quality speak for themselves! Worth every penny
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 559
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa Kansas
I went with a Lunati 224/224 .571/.571 112 LSA (MTI Texas C2 grind) cam with ported/polished (stage 2) LS6 heads. I love the power and the sound is great. There is a mild lope at idle and the power band didn't move to far up in the rpm range.
I agree though that a place like Cartek, A&A Corvette, or Texas Speed & Performance might have exactly what you're looking for and at a great price. My heads cost me a lot more than I wanted them to since I had them all hand worked.
I agree though that a place like Cartek, A&A Corvette, or Texas Speed & Performance might have exactly what you're looking for and at a great price. My heads cost me a lot more than I wanted them to since I had them all hand worked.
The 112LSA on the 224/224 might be a hair chopy for an auto at idle, but who knows... Most autos run that cam on a 114.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 6
From: Sahuarita AZ
I went with the same grind on XE-R lobes (.581 lift) and Stage 2.5 5.3 Liter heads. What were your final numbers, Torch? I don't know about you, but I'm in love with my setup.
The 112LSA on the 224/224 might be a hair chopy for an auto at idle, but who knows... Most autos run that cam on a 114.
The 112LSA on the 224/224 might be a hair chopy for an auto at idle, but who knows... Most autos run that cam on a 114.
I've not been on a dyno yet. Still trying to get the tune just right with Charlie. My HPTuners is off getting the upgraded interface right now then I'll load his 6th iteration of the tune. We just trying to nail down real world WOT stuff now then it's off the Phoenix to get on the dyno. I love mine and I agree about the auto.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
From: Cranford NJ
Thanks for the plug guys.
We do port work on heads that will have them rivaling and exceding many of the aftermarket heads in power and performance.
Shoot me a PM or give us a call if you are interested.
Max
We do port work on heads that will have them rivaling and exceding many of the aftermarket heads in power and performance.
Shoot me a PM or give us a call if you are interested.
Max
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 559
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa Kansas
I bought stage 2.5 5.3's, because they are about the same price as stage 1 LS6 heads (if you add dual valve springs to the LS6's) and flow just as well. I also bought them because they have smaller intake runners, which is supposed to help your low-end. If you are looking at stage 2.5 LS6 heads, they do flow better, but are $250 or so more. I was looking to stay on the budget side, and the smaller intake runners were to my liking. If you are flat out on a budget, the 5.3's are a good buy. Oh, also a lot of people buy them for increased compression, but I don't think that matters, as you can have LS6 heads milled down to get whatever DCR you are looking for...
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 623
Likes: 11
From: Ankeny IA
The 5.3's have a smaller port as others have mentioned which allows for higher velocites and more low/mid range power. I still think the clean sheet Dart 205's will be hard to beat vs. ported factory castings.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 260
From: Jamison Pa
St. Jude Donor '11-'25
Cartek
Sounds like it's what you want.
Bob K.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Not trying to steal any of Cartek's thunder but, you could always go with our Stage 1 or 2 heads and stage 1 cam and get what you are looking for as well.
$995.99 for our Stage 1, $1295.99 for our Stage 2 and $417.99 for our cams. I usually suggest the Stage 2's because it has a better valve spring.
$995.99 for our Stage 1, $1295.99 for our Stage 2 and $417.99 for our cams. I usually suggest the Stage 2's because it has a better valve spring.