Are Stock 243s Worth It?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 698
Likes: 20
From: Md
Are Stock 243s Worth It?
2002 coupe A4. 43,000 garage queen.
No Stall YET.
Nice unknown LT's; Hi'Flows, 2 3/4" back w/ Corsas.
Breathless intake w/ smooth coupler / bridge.
Stock LS6 intake w/ stock 241s.
3.42 rear.
228r 114lsa w/ 650 lift springs (TSP).
Stock bottom end. Lousy tune; waste of $450.
Have a nice 25k +/- set of 243s just sitting. (nonZ06 valves i believe)
Mod budget really does not want me to send these off and have them properly done ported right now.
Prefer to put 243's on prior to paying for tune AGAIN.
Even with the heads left alone, wont these 243's help wake up the other supporting mods?
Simple port matching gonna help much? I dont mean a hackjob hogging out home port job, but im pretty handy w. dental lab drills.
Yes i do believe milling a couple thou to ensure a fresh deck surface and simple valve job prior to install is a good idea too.
Not in search of dyno queen #s, but my little bit of common sense says these would be worth it, right?
Gotta do the retune before next season or i wont luv my car anymore and the 243 install prior to the re-tune makes the most sense to me.
Thoughts, experience and ideas apprecieated.
And yes Id love to squeeze that stall in prior to the retune as well.
Mark
No Stall YET.
Nice unknown LT's; Hi'Flows, 2 3/4" back w/ Corsas.
Breathless intake w/ smooth coupler / bridge.
Stock LS6 intake w/ stock 241s.
3.42 rear.
228r 114lsa w/ 650 lift springs (TSP).
Stock bottom end. Lousy tune; waste of $450.
Have a nice 25k +/- set of 243s just sitting. (nonZ06 valves i believe)
Mod budget really does not want me to send these off and have them properly done ported right now.
Prefer to put 243's on prior to paying for tune AGAIN.
Even with the heads left alone, wont these 243's help wake up the other supporting mods?
Simple port matching gonna help much? I dont mean a hackjob hogging out home port job, but im pretty handy w. dental lab drills.
Yes i do believe milling a couple thou to ensure a fresh deck surface and simple valve job prior to install is a good idea too.
Not in search of dyno queen #s, but my little bit of common sense says these would be worth it, right?
Gotta do the retune before next season or i wont luv my car anymore and the 243 install prior to the re-tune makes the most sense to me.
Thoughts, experience and ideas apprecieated.
And yes Id love to squeeze that stall in prior to the retune as well.
Mark
Last edited by cvm; Jan 8, 2013 at 06:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
The stock 243s with new valve springs and the trunion upgrade to support the power band of the 228r would be an improvement over the stock heads you have now......but I wouldn't go through the trouble to swap them and get another good tune before getting them ported and polished. If you think you can do it then go for it. I did all the work myself, but porting heads was beyond my ability.
I have the PRC Stage 1 heads (243s with a basic CNC porting and polish) and the 228r cam. Vararam and long tubes, ls6 manifold. Up 120hp from stock.
I have the PRC Stage 1 heads (243s with a basic CNC porting and polish) and the 228r cam. Vararam and long tubes, ls6 manifold. Up 120hp from stock.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 2
From: Simpsonville SC
I put stock 243's on when my engine was NA. I gained around 34 rwhp over my stock LS1 heads. But if u have the extra cash laying around I would definitely get the heads worked. Well worth it!Bryan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I have a set waiting to go in for a P&P, wont put them on without it! But to answer your question, yes, the 243 heads stock will make a decent difference. They still flow better, and they up the compression. I think you would always regret not spending the extra time and $$ to get them ported though. You will have allot left on the table.
When those heads do come off, make sure to do the LS2 lifter trays and LS7 lifter upgrade!
When those heads do come off, make sure to do the LS2 lifter trays and LS7 lifter upgrade!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 698
Likes: 20
From: Md
I have a set waiting to go in for a P&P, wont put them on without it! But to answer your question, yes, the 243 heads stock will make a decent difference. They still flow better, and they up the compression. I think you would always regret not spending the extra time and $$ to get them ported though. You will have allot left on the table.
When those heads do come off, make sure to do the LS2 lifter trays and LS7 lifter upgrade!
When those heads do come off, make sure to do the LS2 lifter trays and LS7 lifter upgrade!
Free bump for myself for more opinions
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Same opinion here I got some Z06 take off 243's and they complimented my bigger cam
Of course port and polish would add some HP but depends on how much $$ you are willing to spend-----I simply did some common sense port cleaning on mine to remove mold seams and casting flaws--nothing to extensive--they work great----
Of course port and polish would add some HP but depends on how much $$ you are willing to spend-----I simply did some common sense port cleaning on mine to remove mold seams and casting flaws--nothing to extensive--they work great----
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Just had my stock 243 heads ported, polished, milled to 62cc for 10.9:1 compression, and a 3 angle valve job for $600,, I picked up 25% airflow on the intake side @.600 lift and 20% on the exhaust side... Well worth it to me.. 245 cfm intake and 175cfm exhaust is what they flow stock.. This will really compliment my new camshaft and LT Headers. A solid 20-25 rwhp.. Thats a great Bang for the buck in my book
Last edited by David426; Jan 8, 2013 at 09:32 PM.
