Cylinder head recommendations
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 104
Likes: 10
From: Alabama
Cylinder head recommendations
Hey guys, I am running a Texas Speed torquer v2 cam (232/234, .600/.600, 112 LSA), i am looking to get new cylinder heads for some extra power and am wondering what my best bet would be? would getting some used 243 heads and having them ported be the best budget option? i do not want to spend more than 2k. also what about piston to valve clearance? i run 7.4 inch pushrods like stock. if i do get 243 heads how can i have the worked to add more compression and increase CFM? thanks in advance
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 639
Likes: 334
From: San Jose CA
I really like the Golen Heads, which are ported 243's
https://golenengineservice.com/produ...omplete-heads/
https://golenengineservice.com/produ...omplete-heads/
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 888
Likes: 982
From: NW Burbs of Chi-Town
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
New TSP Brawler heads. They will most likely have a Memorial Day sale... They do sell out of these though. These were not available when I did my Head/cam header/ upgrade, if they were I would have went this Brawler route. I have Currently TSP CNC ported 243/LS6 heads...
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-18424-...retainers.aspx
Summit offers what appears to be an AFR head under their name. Price is per head so you need two. I do not know of anyone running these yet. I just saw the offering about a month ago (64 and 67cc versions):
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-162ls210cath
Looks to re branded version of these AFR heads:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/afr-1501
One thing I noticed is that the TSP offering has a 5 angle valve job and the AFR/Summit is 3 angle...
Edit: You need to check pushrod length. Also good to check piston to valve clearance on any high lift cam.
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-18424-...retainers.aspx
Summit offers what appears to be an AFR head under their name. Price is per head so you need two. I do not know of anyone running these yet. I just saw the offering about a month ago (64 and 67cc versions):
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-162ls210cath
Looks to re branded version of these AFR heads:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/afr-1501
One thing I noticed is that the TSP offering has a 5 angle valve job and the AFR/Summit is 3 angle...
Edit: You need to check pushrod length. Also good to check piston to valve clearance on any high lift cam.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 758
Likes: 366
I’m running some Texas Speed 5.3 stage 2.5 heads making 453whp with BTR stage 3 cam. ( GM 706/862 heads from 99 and up 4.8 and 5.3 motors) They have smaller combustion chambers so more compression. You will make more power below the curve with the extra compression which will help make up for the larger cam.
Don’t underestimate these as you can grab a set for a core at almost any junkyard cheap send them in to get cnc ported with larger valves, springs etc ready to bolt on for around $1400.
$1124 for TSP service and you supply the core.
www.car-parts.com is a salvage yard search service or FB marketplace for heads for a core. I got mine turn key from TSP and they already had a set for a bit extra. If you have or get a set of 243’s you can have the same done to them but I’d recommend having them milled for some extra compression unless you are going to run a 89 octane tune which would be silly.
Texas speeds PRC heads as cast are $2k and do not flow as much as the cnc ported GM heads. The CNC PRC do flow more but cost $3000. Your not going to outflow that cam with your 5.7l motor. Use your savings to get a LS6 or better yet FAST manifold.
Don’t underestimate these as you can grab a set for a core at almost any junkyard cheap send them in to get cnc ported with larger valves, springs etc ready to bolt on for around $1400.
$1124 for TSP service and you supply the core.
www.car-parts.com is a salvage yard search service or FB marketplace for heads for a core. I got mine turn key from TSP and they already had a set for a bit extra. If you have or get a set of 243’s you can have the same done to them but I’d recommend having them milled for some extra compression unless you are going to run a 89 octane tune which would be silly.
Texas speeds PRC heads as cast are $2k and do not flow as much as the cnc ported GM heads. The CNC PRC do flow more but cost $3000. Your not going to outflow that cam with your 5.7l motor. Use your savings to get a LS6 or better yet FAST manifold.
Last edited by Mc556; Apr 29, 2025 at 07:23 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 167
Likes: 107
From: Edmond OK
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 758
Likes: 366
Looks like the flow numbers are dead on for the ported 243 heads.
Not a bad deal unless you already had a set of 243s to send in
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 639
Likes: 334
From: San Jose CA
I should note, the best LS engine builder I know swears by the Trick Flow 215's
https://www.trickflow.com/parts/tfs-...olet/year/2002
But I haven't seen the damned things in stock anywhere in more than a year
https://www.trickflow.com/parts/tfs-...olet/year/2002
But I haven't seen the damned things in stock anywhere in more than a year
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 758
Likes: 366
I should note, the best LS engine builder I know swears by the Trick Flow 215's
https://www.trickflow.com/parts/tfs-...olet/year/2002
But I haven't seen the damned things in stock anywhere in more than a year
https://www.trickflow.com/parts/tfs-...olet/year/2002
But I haven't seen the damned things in stock anywhere in more than a year
TRE performance may have them.
Great heads but they will be in the $2600 for the pair.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
I purchased the Summit Racing LS1/LS6 (AFR) heads. Not installed yet, so not able to comment anything about performance.
The difference between the Summit heads and the AFR Enforcer heads is unknown due to incorrect information and lack of details.
Summit has the max lift stated incorrectly at 0.660" at one spot, then the correct 0.600" in the specs.
Summit specs state no steam ports; the set I have both have steam ports.
Summit also states that roller rockers are required due to the manganese-bronze valve guides. AFR just states bronze valve guides; nothing about requiring roller rockers.
So, if the AFR Enforcer heads do not require full roller rockers, there is no $$ savings in getting the Summit heads over the AFRs as the cost difference in a BTR V2 trunnion upgrade and roller rockers eats-up the difference.
Lastly Summit "tech" told me that these heads were an improvement over the stock 243 heads.
If anyone wants any detailed pictures of the Summit heads, let me know. They are just sitting in their boxes on my bathroom floor waiting for June.
Later,
The difference between the Summit heads and the AFR Enforcer heads is unknown due to incorrect information and lack of details.
Summit has the max lift stated incorrectly at 0.660" at one spot, then the correct 0.600" in the specs.
Summit specs state no steam ports; the set I have both have steam ports.
Summit also states that roller rockers are required due to the manganese-bronze valve guides. AFR just states bronze valve guides; nothing about requiring roller rockers.
So, if the AFR Enforcer heads do not require full roller rockers, there is no $$ savings in getting the Summit heads over the AFRs as the cost difference in a BTR V2 trunnion upgrade and roller rockers eats-up the difference.
Lastly Summit "tech" told me that these heads were an improvement over the stock 243 heads.
If anyone wants any detailed pictures of the Summit heads, let me know. They are just sitting in their boxes on my bathroom floor waiting for June.
Later,
Last edited by LannyL81; May 2, 2025 at 09:19 AM.