Heads for C5
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 119
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Heads for C5
It’s time for my c5 corvette to receive the HCI treatment! I’m already pretty set on BTR stage 2 red hot cam and a Fast intake 92mm alongside a ls2 throttle body. I also already have a cold air intake, long tube headers, and a x pipe. The part I am having a tough time deciding is the heads. There seems to be a whole bunch of different opinions on this topic. what heads would be best to throw on my car, factoring in cost to performance gains with my current and planned setup? Also I’m aware a lot of people like putting the 243 heads on the ls1, why is that?
Popular Reply
Apr 3, 2026, 04:44 PM
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2004
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okay well I am pretty flexible with the cost, especially if it means that spending a grand more would get me quality brand new aftermarket heads. And yes I’d be doing this with me and my buddy who works on LS engines for a living. I’m blessed enough to have people who are as enthusiastic about the hobby as I am 
recently just did my rear main seal, oil pan, and differential with him so we had the entire rear end down essentially.
now how about this, is doing just the cam worth it? From my understanding you’d have to most likely replace pushrods and lifters and if that’s the case the heads are coming off anyway so that’s why people also do heads.
recently just did my rear main seal, oil pan, and differential with him so we had the entire rear end down essentially.now how about this, is doing just the cam worth it? From my understanding you’d have to most likely replace pushrods and lifters and if that’s the case the heads are coming off anyway so that’s why people also do heads.
Give me a call....used OEM heads start adding up quickly if you build them right with decent parts and they limit your power potential. I have been doing this professionally for over 3 decades and can point you in the right direction giving you various options regarding different heads, cost and how spending more and spending less will affect power and longevity.
My work / cell number is 661-714-1317
Cheers,
Tony
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,109
From: Dyer, IN
It’s time for my c5 corvette to receive the HCI treatment! I’m already pretty set on BTR stage 2 red hot cam and a Fast intake 92mm alongside a ls2 throttle body. I also already have a cold air intake, long tube headers, and a x pipe. The part I am having a tough time deciding is the heads. There seems to be a whole bunch of different opinions on this topic. what heads would be best to throw on my car, factoring in cost to performance gains with my current and planned setup? Also I’m aware a lot of people like putting the 243 heads on the ls1, why is that?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 119
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,109
From: Dyer, IN
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 119
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
You start by having clearly identified goals. How will the car be used? Street? Street / track? Street/ drag ? What is your target HP/TQ? How much money are you willing to spend? With those questions answered, you should be pursuing information on proven combinations, dyno results, and understanding the additional costs involved in the pursuit. i.e. drivetrain, fuel system, suspension, etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 870
From: Nappytown MD
Have you had the car tuned? Have you had it dynoed? Kinda nice to know where you are at the start of the mod plan. Who is going to tune the car once you get whatever cam you decide on in the car? I would talk to the tuner and get their input before you start firing the parts cannon! If you just pick what others have used and don't have a tuner lined up, you might end up with a less than optimal upgrade. Plus you are in Ca. right? Certain cams just might not play nice enough to get your inspections done, so even more important to talk to whomever is gonna tune it and make sure you'll be able to get past the environmental commies you guys have to deal with.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 934
okay perfect, here we go. The car is a street driven car, used for lively driving and canyon runs. Target WHP is 420-450. I’d say my budget is in the 5000$ range. I am in an a4 vette with 3.42 gears. so I will have to upgrade my stall to around 3200 from what I’ve read around. And my cooling which I am doing this month.
For lively driving and canyon runs, your car already has that covered.
How many miles on this car?
If you were to get it up to 420-450 whp and add a 3200 stall and 3.42 gears, you will very shortly be looking at getting a new built trans, sooner than later if your car has some miles on it. And, this will totally blow out a $5K budget.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,109
From: Dyer, IN
okay perfect, here we go. The car is a street driven car, used for lively driving and canyon runs. Target WHP is 420-450. I’d say my budget is in the 5000$ range. I am in an a4 vette with 3.42 gears. so I will have to upgrade my stall to around 3200 from what I’ve read around. And my cooling which I am doing this month.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,828
Likes: 4,635
Well, you probably won't like this...
For lively driving and canyon runs, your car already has that covered.
How many miles on this car?
If you were to get it up to 420-450 whp and add a 3200 stall and 3.42 gears, you will very shortly be looking at getting a new built trans, sooner than later if your car has some miles on it. And, this will totally blow out a $5K budget.
For lively driving and canyon runs, your car already has that covered.
How many miles on this car?
If you were to get it up to 420-450 whp and add a 3200 stall and 3.42 gears, you will very shortly be looking at getting a new built trans, sooner than later if your car has some miles on it. And, this will totally blow out a $5K budget.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,828
Likes: 4,635
It’s time for my c5 corvette to receive the HCI treatment! I’m already pretty set on BTR stage 2 red hot cam and a Fast intake 92mm alongside a ls2 throttle body. I also already have a cold air intake, long tube headers, and a x pipe. The part I am having a tough time deciding is the heads. There seems to be a whole bunch of different opinions on this topic. what heads would be best to throw on my car, factoring in cost to performance gains with my current and planned setup? Also I’m aware a lot of people like putting the 243 heads on the ls1, why is that?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 934
Your statement on a new, built A4 is probably right more often than it is wrong. However, there are exceptions, with mine being one of them. I have had a 3,200 Yank in my car for 90,000+ miles. 3.42 C5 Z06 diff. I've been to the strip many times and have made between 30 to 50 runs. Most turning 315-30-18 Michelin PS2s out back. The only thing I've ever done is change the fluid and filter (myself) @100,000 miles. Trans is totally OEM, never been apart. This with a 617hp 427 yanking on it for those 90,000 miles with the Yank. Yeah, I should send the SOB to the Smithsonian!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 119
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Have you had the car tuned? Have you had it dynoed? Kinda nice to know where you are at the start of the mod plan. Who is going to tune the car once you get whatever cam you decide on in the car? I would talk to the tuner and get their input before you start firing the parts cannon! If you just pick what others have used and don't have a tuner lined up, you might end up with a less than optimal upgrade. Plus you are in Ca. right? Certain cams just might not play nice enough to get your inspections done, so even more important to talk to whomever is gonna tune it and make sure you'll be able to get past the environmental commies you guys have to deal with.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 119
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Well, you probably won't like this...
For lively driving and canyon runs, your car already has that covered.
How many miles on this car?
If you were to get it up to 420-450 whp and add a 3200 stall and 3.42 gears, you will very shortly be looking at getting a new built trans, sooner than later if your car has some miles on it. And, this will totally blow out a $5K budget.
For lively driving and canyon runs, your car already has that covered.
How many miles on this car?
If you were to get it up to 420-450 whp and add a 3200 stall and 3.42 gears, you will very shortly be looking at getting a new built trans, sooner than later if your car has some miles on it. And, this will totally blow out a $5K budget.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 659
From: Pingree Grove IL
I like all my C5 parts new, so I probably wouldn’t buy used 243’s, but that’s just me. AFR 215 cylinder heads might be right for you, talk to your tuner, or even better, talk to BTR directly since you are going with his stage 2 cam. Leave the trans alone if it shifts fine. I have 92,000 miles on my A4, 3.73 gears and Yank 3200 stall, my trans is still fine, also have headers, intake, tuned. Your trans might blow up or it will be fine. Transmissions are funny like that.
Call Brian. Ask him about AFR or PRC heads.
Call Brian. Ask him about AFR or PRC heads.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,828
Likes: 4,635
Beast, I've never run PRCs, and they may be as good as any. But I have run AFR 225s. AFR would be my personal choice of the 2. But for the OP's goals, I still think 243s would be a good choice. He needs to start price checking. Could be an overhaul of 243's wouldn't be any cheaper than aftermarket.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 119
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
recently just did my rear main seal, oil pan, and differential with him so we had the entire rear end down essentially.now how about this, is doing just the cam worth it? From my understanding you’d have to most likely replace pushrods and lifters and if that’s the case the heads are coming off anyway so that’s why people also do heads.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,293
Likes: 1,109
From: Dyer, IN
okay well I am pretty flexible with the cost, especially if it means that spending a grand more would get me quality brand new aftermarket heads. And yes I’d be doing this with me and my buddy who works on LS engines for a living. I’m blessed enough to have people who are as enthusiastic about the hobby as I am recently just did my rear main seal, oil pan, and differential with him so we had the entire rear end down essentially.
now how about this, is doing just the cam worth it? From my understanding you’d have to most likely replace pushrods and lifters and if that’s the case the heads are coming off anyway so that’s why people also do heads.
recently just did my rear main seal, oil pan, and differential with him so we had the entire rear end down essentially.now how about this, is doing just the cam worth it? From my understanding you’d have to most likely replace pushrods and lifters and if that’s the case the heads are coming off anyway so that’s why people also do heads.