cly. heads
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola Florida
cly. heads
I am thinking about doing a head and cam swap on my 02 coupe 6spd but not real sure which heads or cam to use. I dont want anything real crazy but I do want more HP . I have not had the pleasure of getting to deep into the LS engine but have built a few of the old small blocks. I guess my question is after the head and cam install I know there is no adjustment on the rockers like the old small blocks so you use differant size push rods. I guess I need to know which cam and which rockers that I am going to use before I can decide on which push rods to get ?. I know there are a lot of you on here that have built your share of LS engines so I thought I would ask for a little advice before getting started. I am a tech by trade but just have not had the pleasure of the LS engine yet. right now it has long tubes , a tune , cai and a cat back system on it and I just want more HP just like most everybody on here lol. Thanks for any advice that is giving. Richard 
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,754
Likes: 588
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
There are lots of great head options for the LS engine. TFS is a top brand, but PRC, TSP, as well as stock 243 castings done by a good shop are all worthy too. It depends on your budget.
Cam selection is wide open too. I'd stay under .600 lift and no more than 230 duration for a daily street driven ride.
Things to add to your shopping list.
LS7 lifters and new trays - Scoggin-Dickey parts has a package deal at a good price.
Comp trunion upgrade to your stock rockers.
Oil pump. Melling is the brand most seem to choose.
Timing chain - C5R
Gaskets - stock mls work fine.
Under drive pulley. 10%. You gotta pull the old one off anyway, may as well replace it with something better.
Pushrods - once you get everything together, you can measure for correct pushrod length. Some shops will offer a head/cam package and it will include pushrods, as they have built these things many times and know the correct length.
Best of success with your project.
Cam selection is wide open too. I'd stay under .600 lift and no more than 230 duration for a daily street driven ride.
Things to add to your shopping list.
LS7 lifters and new trays - Scoggin-Dickey parts has a package deal at a good price.
Comp trunion upgrade to your stock rockers.
Oil pump. Melling is the brand most seem to choose.
Timing chain - C5R
Gaskets - stock mls work fine.
Under drive pulley. 10%. You gotta pull the old one off anyway, may as well replace it with something better.
Pushrods - once you get everything together, you can measure for correct pushrod length. Some shops will offer a head/cam package and it will include pushrods, as they have built these things many times and know the correct length.
Best of success with your project.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,333
Likes: 2,880
From: Fort Worth, Texas
If you are wanting a cam that has lower maintenance with valve springs then I recommend going with something that has a soft ramp rate lke Comp XFI or LXL lobes.
Ported 243 heads are a great bang for the buck and as long as you don't mill them or use thinner head gaskets then stock length pushrods will be fine.
Hope that helps, don't hesitate if you have any questions on a clutch to harness the new power.
Ported 243 heads are a great bang for the buck and as long as you don't mill them or use thinner head gaskets then stock length pushrods will be fine.
Hope that helps, don't hesitate if you have any questions on a clutch to harness the new power.
