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LS2 build, heads choice??

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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 03:00 PM
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Default LS2 build, heads choice??

Looking into doing some heads on my M6 ls2, i have a cam, full boltons and dont know which way to go as far as heads choice. I thought of getting my stock 243 ported but as I read you may be able to get much more from different heads. So I guess my question is is there a $1000 set of heads out there worth getting, or port my stock ones?

I even read a GMperformance article on L92 heads with L76 intake putting out over 545hp with full bolt ons.
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 05:12 PM
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The LS3 heads breathe as good or better than ported 243 castings and they are relatively cheap. Only problem is that you would have to swap your springs and bump compression bvack up by milling or Cometic gaskets. Depending on your cam, you may run into PTV issues. I got my stock 243 heads ported at Advanced Induction and am very happy with the results. Their competitors include TEA, patriot and Livernois, all for about the same price.
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by taken19
The LS3 heads breathe as good or better than ported 243 castings and they are relatively cheap.
Jury is still out on that one. PP243 heads will have better air velocity vs the LS3 heads have MORE air volume.
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 05:29 PM
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I am doing LS3 heads with a cam and FAST intake. I had the heads CNC ported by Wegner engines.

If I had it to do over, I would get LSA heads. They are slightly less expensive and stronger.
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Jury is still out on that one. PP243 heads will have better air velocity vs the LS3 heads have MORE air volume.
You are absolutely correct regarding air velocity. Let me rephrase... The LS3 heads are a good investment if you are looking for a high Hp setup on a budget due to their flow characteristics.

I think the heads are about $950-1000 for the pair (someone please correct me if I am wrong. I haven't looked up the price myself) and you could sell your 243's for $300-400. If your patient, you may be able to pick up a set of used LS3 heads for even cheaper.
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by taken19
You are absolutely correct regarding air velocity. Let me rephrase... The LS3 heads are a good investment if you are looking for a high Hp setup on a budget due to their flow characteristics.

I think the heads are about $950-1000 for the pair (someone please correct me if I am wrong. I haven't looked up the price myself) and you could sell your 243's for $300-400. If your patient, you may be able to pick up a set of used LS3 heads for even cheaper.
Depending if you look hard enough. I picked up a set of L92 for $425 with springs and lifters. For an additional $100 bucks for the offset rockers, $250 for some dual springs and retainers and you have a solid head set for <$800
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Jury is still out on that one. PP243 heads will have better air velocity vs the LS3 heads have MORE air volume.
And they might also maintain more compression ratio as well, especially if PTV clearance permits some milling.
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by staticki
Depending if you look hard enough. I picked up a set of L92 for $425 with springs and lifters. For an additional $100 bucks for the offset rockers, $250 for some dual springs and retainers and you have a solid head set for <$800
If you don't have them ported, you can do new heads for about that price with new springs.
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 08:11 PM
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I would get RPM's ported 243's or trickflows
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 12:52 AM
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Default i agree..

Originally Posted by hungryhippo
I would get RPM's ported 243's or trickflows
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 01:23 AM
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Originally Posted by hungryhippo
I would get RPM's ported 243's or trickflows


I have RPM ported 243s and they work great for me
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 07:19 AM
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Subscribed.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by hungryhippo
I would get RPM's ported 243's or trickflows
Ok I will 4th this one too. Good Options
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by davidtcpa

Subscribed.
Me too, looking to do a head/cam package soon.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 09:04 AM
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If I were doing heads I'd talk to Texas Speed about their PRC heads.

For the price they seem to be great performers.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by hungryhippo
I would get RPM's ported 243's or trickflows
Remember guys Im trying my hardest to stay under $1000. A few of you suggested RPm's 243, what difference are they from me porting my 243 heads?? What power gains did you get?

And just a reminder I already have a Manley hardened rods and Dual springs, and custom grind 230's 610's 112+4 lsa cam, just installed so I really dont want to buy more parts, I just want heads to work with what i just installed.

Originally Posted by timd38
I am doing LS3 heads with a cam and FAST intake. I had the heads CNC ported by Wegner engines.

If I had it to do over, I would get LSA heads. They are slightly less expensive and stronger.
What are LSA Heads??

Feel more than happy to send links, post you dyno sheets anything to give me a better ideal of what power your heads made.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 10:57 AM
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Ported 243's here and I put down 500+rwhp all day.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by timd38
If you don't have them ported, you can do new heads for about that price with new springs.
These are new heads with new springs, however I wanted to go with dual patriots so I added them to the price. For the original price I could've slapped them on the car.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by LEAVINU
Ported 243's here and I put down 500+rwhp all day.
What's your setup and what kind of Torque numbers are you putting down? That is a pretty healthy setup to be putting down 500+ on ported 243s
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 03:19 PM
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The cam specs would be a determining factor in PTV clearance imo especially if you are going to be milling, running a thinner head gasket and not flycutting. PRC Stage 2.5 243 heads just picked up 35rwhp on an LS2 we just finished with a cam of similar size.
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