Need head/cam advise?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 1
From: Woodlands Texas
Need head/cam advise?
I have a stock "motor" car with pretty much all the usual bolts on. I wanna do a set of heads and cam on it, but don't know what route to go. I wanna go semi aggresive so I can have a somewhat lumpy idle. But what is the max I can go with it, as far as heads/cam ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 1
From: Woodlands Texas
All out "speed" is not my main objective. I would just like a healthier
sound and running car. I am not looking to reach 500hp or anything like that. I want the car to run better of course, and don't want to waste the $ and get no performance gain, but not trying to milk it for all its worth. Can I do a head/cam setup for around $2500 ?
Thanks
Derek
sound and running car. I am not looking to reach 500hp or anything like that. I want the car to run better of course, and don't want to waste the $ and get no performance gain, but not trying to milk it for all its worth. Can I do a head/cam setup for around $2500 ?Thanks
Derek
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 13
From: Stillman Valley Illinois
That will depend on which heads you are looking at; You will not be going with "aftermarket designed" heads with that budget. Look at it sort of backwards (and assuming that you can do all of the mechanical work yourself)
Tune .......... $ 500
Cam ........... $ 450
Push Rods ... $ 150
Gaskets ...... $ 75
Fluids ......... $ 75
GM Head Bolts $ 50 ARP bolts ADD $ 200
GM crank Bolt $ 10 ARP bolt ADD $ 20
TOTAL SO FAR $ 1310
That will leave you $ 1190 for heads; valve springs etc. You might be able to pick up a set of used 243 heads; or maybe patriot heads but not much else. There are a lot of really good heads out there for the LSx series engines; but given your proposed budget they may be a little out of reach.
You need to ensure that whatever cam you choose will work the heads or you will not be happy. DONT SCRIMP ON THE TUNE.
Tune .......... $ 500
Cam ........... $ 450
Push Rods ... $ 150
Gaskets ...... $ 75
Fluids ......... $ 75
GM Head Bolts $ 50 ARP bolts ADD $ 200
GM crank Bolt $ 10 ARP bolt ADD $ 20
TOTAL SO FAR $ 1310
That will leave you $ 1190 for heads; valve springs etc. You might be able to pick up a set of used 243 heads; or maybe patriot heads but not much else. There are a lot of really good heads out there for the LSx series engines; but given your proposed budget they may be a little out of reach.
You need to ensure that whatever cam you choose will work the heads or you will not be happy. DONT SCRIMP ON THE TUNE.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 1
From: Woodlands Texas
Ok, thats what I needed to know. I needed to know what the "overall" costs were gonna include so I can see what I need to set aside for this project. The number above was just something I threw out there to see if it was possible or not.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,586
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From: Lynn Haven, FL Sunshine State
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 1
From: Woodlands Texas
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,586
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From: Lynn Haven, FL Sunshine State
St. Jude Donor '08
Find some cheap LS6 243 casting heads and P&P yourself and you might be close.** Already have headers, cai? A LS6 intake/tb would be worthwhile also.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
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From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
There are a bunch of incidental costs that really add up when doing a heads/cam. For instance, most people when they do a heads/cam also put in a new timing chain, lifters, better rocker arms, and under drive pulley. Also, you may need new injectors to feed all that new found HP.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I'm thinking of doing a H/C upgrade in the next few months (after more resarch obviously)
I already have the following towards it:
- Free future tuning (from HPE)
- Lucas 32Lb injectors (tuned in to match current setup)
I would probably have my stock heads ported rather than buying a new set. In addition, i'll be throwing in:
- underdrive pulley
- roller rockers
- upgraded lifters
- double roller timing chain
What's kicking my butt is trying to find a good match for head/cam. Would I do better getting my heads ported first, then based on those results finding a cam to match that?
I already have the following towards it:
- Free future tuning (from HPE)
- Lucas 32Lb injectors (tuned in to match current setup)
I would probably have my stock heads ported rather than buying a new set. In addition, i'll be throwing in:
- underdrive pulley
- roller rockers
- upgraded lifters
- double roller timing chain
What's kicking my butt is trying to find a good match for head/cam. Would I do better getting my heads ported first, then based on those results finding a cam to match that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
You might look into getting the heads ported and buying the cam from the same person. That way they know what works based on their own research. I got my heads ported by Cartek and got their cam that they knew would work based on many years of research. Not sure what places are out by you but you can try giving Cartek a call. Their setups have proven themselves time and again.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 609
Likes: 2
From: Cranford NJ
You might look into getting the heads ported and buying the cam from the same person. That way they know what works based on their own research. I got my heads ported by Cartek and got their cam that they knew would work based on many years of research. Not sure what places are out by you but you can try giving Cartek a call. Their setups have proven themselves time and again.
Give us a call we will be more than happy to answer your questions.
Julian C Hormilla
(908) 317-4496