MS4 cam with TEA heads?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 2
From: Frederick, Maryland
MS4 cam with TEA heads?
Trying to help my friend get his car done by a car show in May. He is set on the MS4 but him and I are unsure if TEA stage 2 heads will work or any aftermarket ported heads for around the same price.
Anyone know what heads can be used or if we can simply ask TEA not to mill the heads?
Thanksss
Anyone know what heads can be used or if we can simply ask TEA not to mill the heads?
Thanksss
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 217
Likes: 3
From: Bardstown Ky
The larger 2.04" valves with thicker than stock margins reduce P to V clearance without any milling.
With as much duration as the MS4 cam has, I would recommend milling any heads used to at least 11-11.5:1 compression.
Are you willing to notch your pistons? It's not too hard and can be done in just a couple of hours. The pistons remain in the block.
If you don't want to notch the pistons then consider something like the TFS LS1 "As Cast" heads, they can be milled to 11:1 and should still clear. They're about $1649 complete, you can add powdered metal guides for $75 so you can run stock rockers, but the proper springs must be used. Springs with too much open pressure can damage the valve tips and rockers. A couple hundred bucks of touch up work in the bowls help also, as well as a good port match to a Fast intake. There's guys making close to 500 rwhp with those heads.
With as much duration as the MS4 cam has, I would recommend milling any heads used to at least 11-11.5:1 compression.
Are you willing to notch your pistons? It's not too hard and can be done in just a couple of hours. The pistons remain in the block.
If you don't want to notch the pistons then consider something like the TFS LS1 "As Cast" heads, they can be milled to 11:1 and should still clear. They're about $1649 complete, you can add powdered metal guides for $75 so you can run stock rockers, but the proper springs must be used. Springs with too much open pressure can damage the valve tips and rockers. A couple hundred bucks of touch up work in the bowls help also, as well as a good port match to a Fast intake. There's guys making close to 500 rwhp with those heads.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 2
From: Frederick, Maryland
A well known GM Tech told us that notching the pistons or "fly-cutting" them would make the tops weak?? Ill bring up the TFS heads to him. How sure are you that they can be milled though? He bought some low mile LS6 heads and would like to use those as a core.
Thanks
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 217
Likes: 3
From: Bardstown Ky
TFS heads can be milled about .010" and will have the same exact P to V as stock unmilled LS6 heads with stock valves. Just putting aftermarket 2.04" valves in LS6 heads will lose about .030" in P to V and they would still be stock size chambers.
I think it's all about the total combination, and I think that cam needs at least 11:1 compression to work well.
Maybe some TFS As Cast heads with turned down LS3 valves, they have a little thinner margin and the heads could be milled more.
