C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Need some help with 243 heads.. Ques.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 18, 2012 | 09:28 PM
  #1  
20vette0107fatboy's Avatar
20vette0107fatboy
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 11
From: Negley Ohio
Default Need some help with 243 heads.. Ques.

Are the 243 heads off a 2010 silverado the same as the 02-03-04 ZO6 243 heads..They say they will fit the LS engines. I want to be sure before I buy...Thanks...
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2012 | 10:12 PM
  #2  
Corvette-Chris's Avatar
Corvette-Chris
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by 20vette0107fatboy
Are the 243 heads off a 2010 silverado the same as the 02-03-04 ZO6 243 heads..They say they will fit the LS engines. I want to be sure before I buy...Thanks...
Any 243 casting head is just that, a 243 casting head. The castings themselves will all be the same. The difference in the ones from the Z06 cars is that they have Na+ filled valves.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2012 | 10:36 PM
  #3  
20vette0107fatboy's Avatar
20vette0107fatboy
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 11
From: Negley Ohio
Default

Ok. Thanks corvette chris. just trying to learn about heads. i want to get some, but dont want to send the $ for trickflow or arf. Just looking for something that would give me around 30 extra HP with my cam that I have. I have the 241 stupid heads.LOL I thought about the patriot heads but dont know nothing about them yet. Trying to learn
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2012 | 11:22 PM
  #4  
printmanjackson's Avatar
printmanjackson
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Default

it's been a while but I believe if I remember correctly once you buy a set of used heads, have them gone through, install new springs and milled for more compression you might be better off just buying a set of 243's from someone like Texas Speed. Depending on what you're looking for in performance, the main trick to the 243's is CNC exhaust ports and a good valve job with bowl work.

You want your heads and cam to work together so treat them as a package.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 05:20 AM
  #5  
20vette0107fatboy's Avatar
20vette0107fatboy
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 11
From: Negley Ohio
Default

Thanks printman. Yeah, Now Im doing my home work on the patriot heads. im thinking the stage 2.5 heads..Im going to call them today to see what they say....
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 08:24 AM
  #6  
baxsom's Avatar
baxsom
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Default

Originally Posted by printmanjackson
it's been a while but I believe if I remember correctly once you buy a set of used heads, have them gone through, install new springs and milled for more compression you might be better off just buying a set of 243's from someone like Texas Speed. Depending on what you're looking for in performance, the main trick to the 243's is CNC exhaust ports and a good valve job with bowl work.

You want your heads and cam to work together so treat them as a package.
or just send your 241s to advanced induction. figure 350ish for stock 243 heads and 500-700 to work over. unless you are getting a free set of 243s easier to just buy already worked over ones.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 08:56 AM
  #7  
FLYNAVY30's Avatar
FLYNAVY30
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,403
From: Redacted
Default

Id buy the 243 heads and send them off to Total Engine Airflow....they have a stage I set up for the 243 heads that isnt terribly expensive. Check out their web site. Thats what Im planning to do with mine in the next month or so. Should be good for about 40 hp with the cam.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 09:36 AM
  #8  
20vette0107fatboy's Avatar
20vette0107fatboy
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 11
From: Negley Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30
Id buy the 243 heads and send them off to Total Engine Airflow....they have a stage I set up for the 243 heads that isnt terribly expensive. Check out their web site. Thats what Im planning to do with mine in the next month or so. Should be good for about 40 hp with the cam.
This is what I was going to do but after doing some research, buy the time its all done I might as well spend about the same kind of $ for a set of new Patriot Stage 2 Heads. They claim with those heads, Its possiable you can get up to 40 more Hp depending on the set up you have. So I think Im just going to go with the Patriot heads..
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 09:53 AM
  #9  
FLYNAVY30's Avatar
FLYNAVY30
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,403
From: Redacted
Default

Originally Posted by 20vette0107fatboy
This is what I was going to do but after doing some research, buy the time its all done I might as well spend about the same kind of $ for a set of new Patriot Stage 2 Heads. They claim with those heads, Its possiable you can get up to 40 more Hp depending on the set up you have. So I think Im just going to go with the Patriot heads..
yea, I guess depending on how much they want for the 243 heads off the silverado. TEA quoted me 1100 for the stage I if I sent my heads into them which for me, is by far the most economical and bang for my buck
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 10:01 AM
  #10  
20vette0107fatboy's Avatar
20vette0107fatboy
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 11
From: Negley Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30
yea, I guess depending on how much they want for the 243 heads off the silverado. TEA quoted me 1100 for the stage I if I sent my heads into them which for me, is by far the most economical and bang for my buck
Yeah, Your one step in front of me. you have the 243 heads. I have nothing..LOL.. I just talked to TEA about 10 min ago and he said if I got the 243 heads and he did the stage 2 on it, then my cam would might be to big for the heads. He said he could do my 241 for about 1000, I said for me spending that kind of money, I dont know if i would be happy with the Hp results..So, Back to the Drawing board.. Dont know what to do. Might just stick with the Patriots..
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 12:39 PM
  #11  
printmanjackson's Avatar
printmanjackson
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Default

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30
yea, I guess depending on how much they want for the 243 heads off the silverado. TEA quoted me 1100 for the stage I if I sent my heads into them which for me, is by far the most economical and bang for my buck
just something to think about ...... sell your heads, off a Z they should bring atleast $500 and put the $1100 with it and you are close to a really killer set of AFR's or something
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 02:10 PM
  #12  
baxsom's Avatar
baxsom
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Default

depends on the year of the Z. 01s did not get the lightweight valves.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 02:18 PM
  #13  
20vette0107fatboy's Avatar
20vette0107fatboy
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 11
From: Negley Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by printmanjackson
just something to think about ...... sell your heads, off a Z they should bring atleast $500 and put the $1100 with it and you are close to a really killer set of AFR's or something
Now, I think this is what im going to do now. I was thinking about the patroit but called englandgreen and talked to jason. He said The 243 heads cnc'd will do better then the patriot. He said dont know why but patriot heads are a hit and miss. They experianced with them before. he said I cant go wrong with getting the 243 heads and getting them cnc'd.. So, back to looking for a good set of 243 heads..
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 03:09 PM
  #14  
Corvette-Chris's Avatar
Corvette-Chris
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by 20vette0107fatboy
Now, I think this is what im going to do now. I was thinking about the patroit but called englandgreen and talked to jason. He said The 243 heads cnc'd will do better then the patriot. He said dont know why but patriot heads are a hit and miss. They experianced with them before. he said I cant go wrong with getting the 243 heads and getting them cnc'd.. So, back to looking for a good set of 243 heads..
The majority of the gains from any head work will come from a good valve job and some bowl blending. Last week, we bowl blended my 243 heads and lightly ported the exhaust ports. I paid $185 for a 3 angle valve job, cleaning, decking and assembling the heads.



Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 06:56 PM
  #15  
20vette0107fatboy's Avatar
20vette0107fatboy
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 11
From: Negley Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Corvette-Chris
The majority of the gains from any head work will come from a good valve job and some bowl blending. Last week, we bowl blended my 243 heads and lightly ported the exhaust ports. I paid $185 for a 3 angle valve job, cleaning, decking and assembling the heads.



Wow.. Those look nice.. Are they off your car.... Those look like Brand new..
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 07:31 PM
  #16  
USA-1 HP's Avatar
USA-1 HP
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 5
From: coastal ME
Default

Not to break into your thread, but I'd like to know where you can have the head work done for 185.00 dollars.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 07:40 PM
  #17  
Z06supercharged's Avatar
Z06supercharged
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 3
From: somewhere shooting my assault rifles
Default

Originally Posted by USA-1 HP
Not to break into your thread, but I'd like to know where you can have the head work done for 185.00 dollars.
Actually some small shops with no overhead and older paid for machines can do that if they are paying workers min wage. Cheapest around here is around $225 and I'm sure they dont check much for that price and the better shops are at $350.

Last edited by Z06supercharged; Jan 19, 2012 at 07:43 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Need some help with 243 heads.. Ques.

Old Jan 19, 2012 | 07:56 PM
  #18  
USA-1 HP's Avatar
USA-1 HP
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 5
From: coastal ME
Default

Were very limited with machine shops here, those prices seem very reasonable.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 09:09 PM
  #19  
Corvette-Chris's Avatar
Corvette-Chris
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by USA-1 HP
Not to break into your thread, but I'd like to know where you can have the head work done for 185.00 dollars.
The machine shop I used is local.

Originally Posted by Z06supercharged
Actually some small shops with no overhead and older paid for machines can do that if they are paying workers min wage. Cheapest around here is around $225 and I'm sure they dont check much for that price and the better shops are at $350.
This shop is probably one of the largerachine shops in Louisiana. This was my first actual experience with them though, as I don't know how much experience they have with LS stuff. They also have some of the nicest machines anywhere from here to Dallas, from what I hear. It may have been cheaper because I took them my heads bare and had brand new valves. When I originally got the quote from them, it was $155 for just the valve job.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 09:25 PM
  #20  
printmanjackson's Avatar
printmanjackson
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Default

check out Texas Speed, they have some 243's at a good deal.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:02 AM.

story-0
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-4
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE