Cylinder head suggestions
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,403
From: Redacted
Cylinder head suggestions
Im starting to look at heads as the next project for my car. As of right now, the major mods are limited to a 230/232 592/595 111 LSA cam, FAST 90/90, and Dynatech Sumermaxx long tube headers. Any suggestions as far as heads go would be much appriciated. I was looking at the Trick Flow heads as it seems people have been getting good results. Reccomendations for new springs, push rods, and potentially roller rockers also much appriciated. 
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 16
Air Flow Research makes high quality stuff. Been making heads for our LS engines a long time. I have a set of 205's.
Trick flow has been doing very well making cars go fast at the track since they entered the market.
Comp makes a good pushrod for the price.
PAC valve springs are probably one of the best. Patriot makes an inexpensive dual spring kit I used in the past w/o issue.
My only experience with roller rockers is with the Crane Gold Quick Lift rockers. They've been very dependable on my DD. Don't know if they're even available any more.
Trick flow has been doing very well making cars go fast at the track since they entered the market.
Comp makes a good pushrod for the price.
PAC valve springs are probably one of the best. Patriot makes an inexpensive dual spring kit I used in the past w/o issue.
My only experience with roller rockers is with the Crane Gold Quick Lift rockers. They've been very dependable on my DD. Don't know if they're even available any more.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,403
From: Redacted
so how do you determine what the proper length is with the new heads?...I honestly dont know what push rods and springs are in there now as I had the cam installed at MTI in Houston while I was on my first deployment a few years ago...they've since closed up shop
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 16
The length will be determined by your combo. Best to install the heads & then check for proper length. There are a bunch of good threads on determining preload and pushrod length.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I bought the AFR's and am very happy with them, they also stand behind their product. For pushrods, especially if you go with TFS, consider larger diameter as well as the correct length. When you order the heads, order the adjustable pushrod. You will use it to check PTV as well. Also pick up a set of check springs. The pushrods should be the last part you order and you can get them very quickly. In the past I have ordered them once the heads are on and they arrive pretty quick (within days). I favor the Yella Terra roller rockers. They set up very easily and you can get a very narrow wipe pattern with them. Correctly setting up any rocker (including stock) with a new setup will alter the required pushrod length that is why its best to order them last.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Southeast TX
Lot's of good heads out there !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXfkePZR5bA
Don't count out the reworked LS6 / LS2 heads. They will make comparable power to aftermarket heads cheaper. This is the Stage 3r version. There are benefits to aftermarket heads, thicker deck if FI is in the cars future. Different valve angles allowing for higher lift cams without fly cutting the pistons if you intend to go with that type cam.
I spent a lot of time researching heads also and couldn't be happier with the results on my car. By the way these results are with a middle of the road cam, by no means an all out effort to reach the sacred 500+ RWHP, that many on this forum lust for. Driveability counts for more than dyno #'s to me.
Don't count out the reworked LS6 / LS2 heads. They will make comparable power to aftermarket heads cheaper. This is the Stage 3r version. There are benefits to aftermarket heads, thicker deck if FI is in the cars future. Different valve angles allowing for higher lift cams without fly cutting the pistons if you intend to go with that type cam.
I spent a lot of time researching heads also and couldn't be happier with the results on my car. By the way these results are with a middle of the road cam, by no means an all out effort to reach the sacred 500+ RWHP, that many on this forum lust for. Driveability counts for more than dyno #'s to me.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,337
Likes: 39
From: Birmingham, AL www.hinsonsupercars.com 205-909-9402
The TFS heads always make big power. You get what you pay for when it comes to heads. They come with .650" dual springs. You'll need longer pushrods. The length will need to be measured before ordering. Roller rockers are recommended, Yella Terra makes good ones.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...dy-inside.html
Seth
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...dy-inside.html
Seth
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,403
From: Redacted
The TFS heads always make big power. You get what you pay for when it comes to heads. They come with .650" dual springs. You'll need longer pushrods. The length will need to be measured before ordering. Roller rockers are recommended, Yella Terra makes good ones.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...dy-inside.html
Seth
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...dy-inside.html
Seth
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,337
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From: Birmingham, AL www.hinsonsupercars.com 205-909-9402
Ahhhh, thanks very much for the link....that thread answered a lot of my questions. Ill probably be in contact sometime in the next month or so....good to see you guys are in Alabama as well, Im down in Pensacola and didnt think there were any quality shops within a reasonable distance for tuning, etc.
Let us know if you have any questions and we'll be happy to help you.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Southeast TX
Not GMPP Heads
I was pointing out that CNC'd, reworked LS6 / LS2 heads can make big power also (487 RWHP & 440 RWTQ on my car in the video I attached) and are less expensive. Mine are setup with .690 lift springs. If you search the forums there is plenty of info on all the heads discussed here. If you can afford and want aftermarket heads, get them you can't go wrong. If you need to budget, reworked GM heads give a lot of bang for the buck. Good luck with the build. You can't go wrong with any of them.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Redacted
I appriciate the info and Im definately not discounting the worked LS6 heads, I just figured that unless I could find a screaming deal on an unused set, by the itme I bought them, and then installed new springs, etc to deal with the bigger cam, I wouldnt be too far away from the price of the assembled TFS 215s. That video of your car was damn impressive too. Big fan of the color selection too!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Southeast TX
The heads come ready to go, no additional cost. Mine were done by LMR in Houston.
Look at Livernois website, they also have all of the GM casting in stage 1, 2, 3 or 3r for the LS2.
Again, I just want to make it clear you have options, that are less expensive than aftermarket and will obviously perform. I'm not going to make a dime no matter what you do to the car, just sharing information. I personally like to get bang for my buck to make the money go as far as possible. I would never buy ANY part just to say I have XXX brand of whatever part being discussed. In fact, I like to lead, not follow. Good luck with your decision.
Look at Livernois website, they also have all of the GM casting in stage 1, 2, 3 or 3r for the LS2.
Again, I just want to make it clear you have options, that are less expensive than aftermarket and will obviously perform. I'm not going to make a dime no matter what you do to the car, just sharing information. I personally like to get bang for my buck to make the money go as far as possible. I would never buy ANY part just to say I have XXX brand of whatever part being discussed. In fact, I like to lead, not follow. Good luck with your decision.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
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From: Redacted
Im with ya.....unfortunately Im probably never gonna get rich flying helicopters so Im all for bang for the buck! Ill check out their web site and see what they've got as far as worked LS6 heads. Do the LS2 heads fit on the LS6 and is there any advantage to going with worked LS2 over LS6 heads?
.....unfortunately Im probably never gonna get rich flying helicopters so Im all for bang for the buck! Ill check out their web site and see what they've got as far as worked LS6 heads. Do the LS2 heads fit on the LS6 and is there any advantage to going with worked LS2 over LS6 heads?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
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From: Redacted
just answered my own question....those STG 3 heads for $1799 with no core required look like they might be a solid option. Plus, the stock LS6 heads on my car with less than 30,000 miles on em can probably be sold to one of the Fbody guys to recoupe some of the cost.....hmmmmm
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC