Question about upgrading heads?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Question about upgrading heads?
Mods are in signature and I'll have 3:90's in a month. Anyway question is if I got myself a set of trick flow like 220cc heads assembled and installed them, stock cam still. With a tune would I pick up some decent power. I plan on doing the cam a few months later since I cant afford it all at once. And would I need new injectors for the heads? Thanks for the info guys I am really clueless on the heads/cam stuff. Oh this car is going to be totally N/A.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Yes you would. Do a Google search on the AFR 205's, there were a few magazine articles on installing the AFR's with a stock cam. Install usually netted about 45 hp to the wheels.
The real question is how much of a delay until the cam? There is a lot of repeated work between the heads and the cam so you may be better to wait and do it all at once.
The real question is how much of a delay until the cam? There is a lot of repeated work between the heads and the cam so you may be better to wait and do it all at once.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Well 37HP and 43FT-LB of torque at the motor for just a head swap. NOT BAD AT ALL. -According to Hot Rod magazine. Anyway though and then with a cam they got the HP up to 507 at the motor, so I am liking this idea. Do I need to upgrade my injectors though cause I am flowing more air wont I need more fuel?
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 77
From: Forney Texas
Secondly, you can install the cam with the engine in the bay and without even taking the intake manifold off. It takes 6-8 hours for someone with the proper tools. You can do it on jack stands in your garage with a good set of tools. While your heads are off, you might want to go ahead and replace your lifters and lifter cups because you're not going to be back in there when doing a cam. I suggest LS7 lifters for 108.00 from Scoggin Dickey (sdparts.com).
When doing the cam, get a good double roller timing chain like PBR, and hardened pushrods. Pick your cam now ( not buy, just pick it out ) and get a good head guy to set up your springs in your heads for your cam choice. You want to shim up the springs for as much pressure as you can get with your cam for better valve control.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 290
From: Pasco WA
Not at all. It is alot of work, but doable on jackstands. Just read the how-to article at ls1howto.com , and decide if it's something you can handle. You don't have to pull the heads to change the cam.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I can handle the heads but the cam looks like its too complicated for me. I feel more comfortable doing the heads myself and paying ECS to do the cam install a month or 2 later.
Last edited by corvettejoe98; Jul 3, 2008 at 06:01 PM. Reason: messed something up
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 77
From: Forney Texas
Unless you're a mechanical idiot, you CAN do the cam. I know you're not because you're doing the heads. I think the heads are probably just as difficult. Not much better than the pride of doing the job yourself. Do the Ls1howto on the cam swap and you can PM me for my phone number and I'll help get you through it. YOU CAN DO It!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
St. Jude Donor '07
I did my heads/cam/fast intake in my garage on jackstands with the help of a fellow forum member. It was my first time doing anything like this and his first on a LSx motor. We went step by step through the ls1howto instructions. All went well and the car made 490 rwhp when it was all said and done. It wasn't that bad and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Go for it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 0
From: Farmers Branch TX
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Doing the cam is really easy, I would say easier than the heads, just print out some instructions and go at it. I had never even touched an LS1 engine before and I had my cam installed in about 6 hours doing it on jackstands and honestly I was going pretty slow to make sure I did everything correctly.