C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

LS3 Stock Head Flow #'s ??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 18, 2008 | 03:06 PM
  #1  
Jimmyz28's Avatar
Jimmyz28
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 45
From: Atlanta, GA.
Default LS3 Stock Head Flow #'s ??

I did MANY searches and can't find this info.

Does anyone know the #'s:

Lift------Intake (cfm)-----Exhaust (cfm)
0.100
0.200
0.300
0.400
0.500
0.600
0.700
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2008 | 03:14 PM
  #2  
Brian@RPT's Avatar
0Brian@RPT
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Default

I would like to see those numbers as well
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2008 | 04:17 PM
  #3  
Louis @ LG Motorsports's Avatar
0Louis @ LG Motorsports
Former Vendor
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Texas
Default

I will get the entire flow data on the stock heads tomorrow, but they flow 323 @ .600 here. Every bench will be a little different
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2008 | 04:25 PM
  #4  
Uncle Sam's Avatar
Uncle Sam
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 2
From: Sebring, Florida
Default

I have both the intake and exhaust flow charts from GM, but I don't know how to attach them. However, I got them off of this forum so maybe a search will bring them up.

I am not allowed to post attachments, sorry!

Last edited by Uncle Sam; Feb 18, 2008 at 04:31 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2008 | 04:34 PM
  #5  
Michrider's Avatar
Michrider
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
Default

These are the published numbers for an L76/L92 on a 4" bore, which should be real close to an LS3. Maybe a hair more flow on the LS3 with the larger bore unshrouding the valves a bit.

Lift---Intake (cfm)---Exhaust (cfm)
0.100
0.200 151 111
0.300 208 152
0.400 256 174
0.500 294 183
0.600 316 189
0.700
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2008 | 04:39 PM
  #6  
Jimmyz28's Avatar
Jimmyz28
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 45
From: Atlanta, GA.
Default

Lingenfelter has this for STOCK #'s on their website:

Valve Lift .200 .300 .400 .450 .500 .550 .600 .650 .700
Intake:--- 156 226 276 294 310 324 332 332 308
Exhaust:-- 120 158 183 190 194 199 202 204 205

Last edited by Jimmyz28; Feb 18, 2008 at 04:58 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2008 | 06:46 PM
  #7  
SpinMonster's Avatar
SpinMonster
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Default

Those numbers are for a 4.125" bore.

Smaller bores yeild smaller numbers.

Last edited by SpinMonster; May 25, 2014 at 01:27 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2008 | 07:09 PM
  #8  
Jimmyz28's Avatar
Jimmyz28
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 45
From: Atlanta, GA.
Default

Their website says they're for a 4.065 bore. Anyway, you're right. Wonder why GM put such low number on the exhaust side...hmmm.
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 Feb 19, 2008 | 11:08 AM
  #9  
Michrider's Avatar
Michrider
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
Default

Emissions would be my guess. Big exhaust port flow probably not the greatest for low rpm complete combustion. I remember the gigantic ports of the old 426 hemi engines, get behind one of those cars and they pump out the black smoke when they get on it.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 12:01 PM
  #10  
Wallacefl's Avatar
Wallacefl
Racer
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 410
Likes: 9
Default

the LPE site shows a good improvement in exhaust flow on their ported LS3 heads...would like to see if ported only exhaust translates into + rwhp.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 12:52 PM
  #11  
Jimmyz28's Avatar
Jimmyz28
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 45
From: Atlanta, GA.
Default

^^^ Yup, I thought the same thing Wallacefl.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 01:28 PM
  #12  
andreas g.'s Avatar
andreas g.
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 125
From: laguna niguel ca
Default

My LS3/L92 heads CNC ported flowed @ .600 lift 360 CFM intake , 280 CFM exhaust. Charlie @ RPM motors did the work. He refered to it as a medium street port. It works well.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 02:19 PM
  #13  
Jimmyz28's Avatar
Jimmyz28
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 45
From: Atlanta, GA.
Default

Originally Posted by andreas g.
My LS3/L92 heads CNC ported flowed @ .600 lift 360 CFM intake , 280 CFM exhaust. Charlie @ RPM motors did the work. He refered to it as a medium street port. It works well.
What cam and what kinda power did you see with this setup?
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 02:55 PM
  #14  
LS3 Machine's Avatar
LS3 Machine
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 327
Likes: 5
From: West Palm Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '11
Default

Originally Posted by Jimmyz28
What cam and what kinda power did you see with this setup?



Yeah... what he said!

I can't wait to see the LS3 with some head work, the Wieland mani, aggressive cam, LT headers, and pulley will all add up to. Add some gears (and better tires) and Im guessing it will be quite the beast.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:26 PM
  #15  
andreas g.'s Avatar
andreas g.
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 125
From: laguna niguel ca
Default

Originally Posted by Jimmyz28
What cam and what kinda power did you see with this setup?
The motor was a stroked L92/LS3 block with a 4.100 crank 427 ci. All forged. The cam was small for big inch motor, 232/234/595/598/112. Because of the great head work it made good power. 525rwhp/500rwtq.
It's my daily driver. It had to idle good and get decent milage. @70mph it gets 27.5 mpg. Best of both worlds. I'm now waiting for the release of the FAST 92 for LS3 heads. They say it's worth 20 on a stock LS3, so maybe more on mine. Charlie told me the L76 intake manifold falls over at 5800 rpms. so this new maniflod should help.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:42 PM
  #16  
Jimmyz28's Avatar
Jimmyz28
Thread Starter
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 45
From: Atlanta, GA.
Default

Ahhhhh...

Yeah, been down the stroker path with my Camaro. So these numbers are from a CNC'd LS3 head. My LS6 stage 3 ported heads did 310/225 cfm @ 0.600. 360/280 cfm is just nutty!!

WOW! I know flow #'s aren't everything but DAMN!
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:48 PM
  #17  
SpinMonster's Avatar
SpinMonster
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Default

Originally Posted by Jimmyz28
Their website says they're for a 4.065 bore. Anyway, you're right. Wonder why GM put such low number on the exhaust side...hmmm.
Not what I said. Yes, they work on a 4.065" bore. What I said was that the flow numbers listed above are what they flow on a 4.125" bore. On a 4.065" and a 4" bore the flow numbers are lower due to more shrouded valves. I hope that is clearer.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To LS3 Stock Head Flow #'s ??

Old Feb 19, 2008 | 05:09 PM
  #18  
SpinMonster's Avatar
SpinMonster
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Default

Originally Posted by Wallacefl
the LPE site shows a good improvement in exhaust flow on their ported LS3 heads...would like to see if ported only exhaust translates into + rwhp.
One tuner who doesnt want to be named got an 8HP improvement from ported LS3's (probably just from the compression) that yielded 355cfm on the intake side and 240cfm on the exhaust side. Quoting what killer flow numbers will do for performance doesnt always add up to the expectations. Its why a Cartek head flowing 306 at .600 lift puts down 485+rwhp with a 228 cam and runs 10's while countless other name brands did 500+ with 23x cams and run 11.2's. By the way, this last example was using the same driver on the same day as a joke. The results were unexpected. Another note, who runs more than .600 lift on a cam anyway? Midlift flow numbers are much more important. The LS3's do that unexpectedly well and porting more often than not improves peak lift flow at the expense of mid-lift. So you get a silly flow number at .600 or .650 lift and you run a .588 lift cam....yeah babay.

You cant race flow benches and porting a head with 260cc runners to get 355 cfm increases runner size and slows air down. The theory on the exhaust side is to use a different lobe to build up the air speed. The unported heads on the LS3 are making 485 RWTQ cam only. Dont go by flow numbers. The LS7 heads have pretty bad exhaust side flow but the speed is clearly the winner there as it is here. Velocity may be why the flow number isnt high on the exhaust side.

Charie from RPM motors used to go back and forth with me on this. I was looking at countless cams in 4" bore (non-stroker motors) making a dip in the low end TQ and he was insisting they were good. One guy was constantly telling me I didnt know what I was talking about ad showing me stroker motor results to show I'm wrong. I wasnt impressed with the TQ....it was a stroker. Then Charlie puts a 238 cam in a 6 liter, tunes the magic and gets 508rwhp and 480rwtq. The point was it set the bench mark for TQ. A 6 liter motor made 480rwtq.

I changed my mind about the heads and can tell you with my 3rd cam on the LS3's that they dont work with every combo. Unfortunately, no one is sharing info and you just have to trust tuners to deliver what they say they got with their LS3 cam. Until the poor guys get the 6 liter motors, there wont be any public DIY info. I am privy to some trade secrets and as such they will remain secrets but the heads are sensitive to exhaust side changes (LG headers made a big difference and maybe more than most would see) and the intake side doesnt work like it does on a cathedral port head. A smaller (and sometimes lazy) lobe makes more TQ. Some bigger lobes work well too but the aggressiveness of its opening is key. Compression is a good thing but the heads done give you much room without flycutting.

I think what is needed for these first few years is milling, flycuttin, no porting and a cam swap. With the new Ls3 FAST you will see 535rwhp and 500rwtq......jeeeez....those are stroker numbers. To date the best is 517rwhp and 484 rwtq...Louis at LG setting that mark without a FAST because they didnt market it yet.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 06:55 PM
  #19  
Ragtop 99's Avatar
Ragtop 99
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Default

Originally Posted by SpinMonster
The theory on the exhaust side is to use a different lobe to build up the air speed.
What style of lobe builds air speed? I've liked the Xer on the exhaust since it stays shut a couple degrees longer for a given duration at .05 and then opens very fast.

Some bigger lobes work well too but the aggressiveness of its opening is key.
The agressiveness is key as in it should be aggressive or that lazier big lobe seems to work better?

I guess I should also ask (while you are typing away ) whether asymentrical lobes have any advantages here.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 07:17 PM
  #20  
SpinMonster's Avatar
SpinMonster
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Default

Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
What style of lobe builds air speed? I've liked the Xer on the exhaust since it stays shut a couple degrees longer for a given duration at .05 and then opens very fast.

The agressiveness is key as in it should be aggressive or that lazier big lobe seems to work better?

I guess I should also ask (while you are typing away ) whether asymentrical lobes have any advantages here.
Two ways to flow more: duration, faster ramp rate. In a small runner, both work well together, on a big runner it will stall with too much of either.

Yes different lobes are both better and in the case of the LS3 they are required.

If you open a valve too long and too fast the combustion chamber is filled too fast and the air stalls....it runs out of steam. The intake runner is huge and building airspeed is better served with a not so aggressive lobe if the duration is short to moderate. If you open the nozzle on a garden hose 1/4 the water shoots out fast and far. If you take off the nozzle it droops out and doesnt go far due to less speed.

The exhaust side is small in comparison so the longer duration makes up for it. Again here faster ramp rates dont serve it well if both are used. If you open it for less time then you want it open faster. If the exhaust isnt so free flowing, opening it too long or too fast can result in reversion. The intake side would and does work well with shorter duration lobes as proven by DTE and Synergy. Rick has said that he uses a non XER, LSK, XFI lobe and its a 224 on the intek side resulting in a 490rwhp and 480rwtq with a 224/228 on a 112. More einteresting is the non-fast ramp rate lobes. You can only guess but Rick is famous for cam motion lobes and their version of XE's probably work best.

LG on the other hand uses some other aspects such as really long duration on the exhaust side and it inst an LSK. The intake side is a secret and doesnt fit the normal intake runner thinking. My guess is close LSA and effieciency of the exhaust side gets the air out better allowing more aggressive intake lobes.

Rock posted his results on a 6 liter in the dyno section of LS1tech to see the sick results of such a small cam. If he increased the ramp rate and used LSK lobes, my gues is he would stall the runner and lose power. More duration costs you TQ. Find the balance.

Ignore the silly size splits the theorists have like 232 intake and 248 exhaust. The exhaust isnt poor flowing. Its fast flowing. Better headers will equal better results with normal cams.

When GM came up with a cam for the LS3 and these heads all they did was make the intake lift higher on the intake 5%. Another variable.

Where is glass slipper when you need him.
This stuff is his bag.

Keep in mind AFR heads make 500rwhp with a 23x cam and they only flow 305 or so at .600 on the intake side.

Last edited by SpinMonster; Feb 19, 2008 at 08:29 PM.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:15 PM.

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