Best Head for a Stock LS1?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,485
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From: McHenry IL
Best Head for a Stock LS1?
Im sure this has been 
but what is the best head for a ls1 application. im looking for something that can be port/polished to achive better flow. trying to stick with a std deck head to match the 7.400 pushrods. Any ideas or should i go aftermarket when the time comes?
but what is the best head for a ls1 application. im looking for something that can be port/polished to achive better flow. trying to stick with a std deck head to match the 7.400 pushrods. Any ideas or should i go aftermarket when the time comes?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,492
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From: Dyer, IN
Not worth it...IMO. No sense in swapping heads, unless you have a cam to take advantage of the flow. Provided you have a 2001+ intake, headers seal the deal.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
I have seen some interesting test results with AFR heads and no cam, gain was around 45 hp. What ever you do, you shouldn't buy a set of heads based on $100 set of pushrods.
PS: Stock pushrods are not 7.400"
PS: Stock pushrods are not 7.400"
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
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From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
AFR 205 is the best option hands down
I'll give you a smoking deal on them as well
I offer AFR TFS MAST ALL PRO CNC and if it were me I'd doing the AFR 205 on an LS1
I'll give you a smoking deal on them as well
I offer AFR TFS MAST ALL PRO CNC and if it were me I'd doing the AFR 205 on an LS1
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Pasco WA
Not that it's a total waste to install good heads on a stock motor, but you should really take advantage of the benefits gotten by doing the complete package. Start with SS LT headers/X/HF cats, leaving your stock catback for now, if budget limited. The Z Tis don't need to be replaced,but the stock C5 catbacks are pretty lame. And don't forget the cam, and all the attendent parts at the same time. Even a small cam, with nice heads, will give you big gains. Choosing a cam is very important, so don't do this lightly. Timing chain, balancer, and springs are a few of the parts you REALLY should replace, too. New springs will come with new heads, though. Of course, you do all this, and your stock clutch will be questionable. In any event, start with headers, not heads.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,485
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From: McHenry IL
all good info so far. to give more info on the car i have headers back no cats stock ls1. i lunched a couple of pushrods which i just swapped out. Its not your typical vehicle its a 78 camaro c5 hybrid. here is a link to what i have done.
http://s822.photobucket.com/albums/z...ect%20Cormaro/
I guess my ultimate question i have is are these(241) heads worth porting or the z06 heads? Eventually i will be going to a maggie or a twin turbo setup. Is spending a couple of grand really worth the gains you get?
http://s822.photobucket.com/albums/z...ect%20Cormaro/
I guess my ultimate question i have is are these(241) heads worth porting or the z06 heads? Eventually i will be going to a maggie or a twin turbo setup. Is spending a couple of grand really worth the gains you get?
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Team Owner
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Minnesota
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Minnesota
I agree, unless you like spending lots of $ the blower will give you more power than any heads/cam setup ever will. A&a kits are around 5k, from time to time they even through together refurbished kits for around 3.5k.
With all stock components, you should have no problem getting 550rwhp with a blower. Your not going to do that with heads/cam/intake/exhaust.
With all stock components, you should have no problem getting 550rwhp with a blower. Your not going to do that with heads/cam/intake/exhaust.
Safety Car
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,485
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From: McHenry IL
thats the kind of info im looking for, Thank you
Im sure you made the necessary head mods springs valves etc.... overall porting these heads are worth it. Im not looking to get 1000hp If i could put 500 to the ground id be happy.
Im sure you made the necessary head mods springs valves etc.... overall porting these heads are worth it. Im not looking to get 1000hp If i could put 500 to the ground id be happy.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
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NP. Yeah, I've got an upgraded valve train with a middle of the road cam (222/228). The valves are stock but I've had a valve job done as well. Before the blower I put down 440rwhp/430rwtq. With a blower you should have no trouble hitting 500, even with a maggie. Ported heads will also let you make it to 500 without having to spin the blower as hard and allow you to avoid things like belt slip. I can see the argument against doing it since a pulley is a lot cheaper than port work but if you stay NA for awhile you'll have a nice strong running car until you get to that point. For me I didn't see much of a downside since I didn't go all out and only spent a quarter what most aftermarket heads go for.
Last edited by MJD; Aug 1, 2011 at 10:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,485
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From: McHenry IL
Thats the route i will go. i picked up a set of 843 heads here for super cheap so ill get those ported polished and decked. I figure with the 66.67cc chamber i can get a small trim and still have low enough compression to run a s/c later.
