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What move would you make next?

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Old Jan 30, 2022 | 07:41 PM
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Default What move would you make next?

2006 C6 LS2 A6 80k miles. 224/224/600/600 112+3 cam. Ported Fast 102, 60lb injectors. 1 7/8 headers, 3" x pipe, 3" axle back,Vararam intake, FTI 3400 triple disc stall, Flex fuel E85 tune
Id like more power, like everyone...Im torn on my next move . What would be the best bang for the buck mod. Bigger cam? Ported heads? LS3 heads and intake?

Not ready to go power adder yet
What move would you make next ?

Last edited by zanerwaner; Jan 30, 2022 at 07:55 PM.
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Old Jan 31, 2022 | 12:19 AM
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Bang for buck and cylinder heads usually don’t go in the same sentence, but if you could find a set of used LS3 heads and intake and do the work yourself it would be a pretty cheap swap overall plus tuning costs. If you have the funds for a blower that would be a much better bang for the buck, just a lot more bucks to begin with.
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Old Jan 31, 2022 | 12:04 PM
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You have a nice intake mani. I'd stick with catty port heads. Let your pocketbook guide you as to which heads you go with. From reasonably priced ported stockers all the way to Mamo masterpieces. I'm running Tx Speed ported stock LS3 heads on my LS3. Very pleased with them. I think they charge about $800 to CNC port, mill as little or as much as you want, competition multi angle valve job, clean, and assemble with your valve spring of choice. I wouldn't miss the opportunity to do some milling and use thinner head gaskets also. With E, compression is your friend.

I think Cam Motion's Titan 4 LS1 (227/232 113+4 .612/.595 lift) camshaft would do you a good job. Pretty good match for your converter too.
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Old Jan 31, 2022 | 02:39 PM
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Thank you for the solid sensible advice. I didn't know whether I should try to sell my fast 102 that was ported through vengeance racing. And use some of the money from that to buy some milled LS3 heads and a LS3 intake. Or if like you said the money would be better spent on a nice set of ported LS2 castings. So many choices and I would like to try make the most informed decision
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Old Jan 31, 2022 | 04:59 PM
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If you add LS3 heads, you're going to lose static compression ratio due to the higher chamber volume of the LS3 heads. If you mill them enough to actually increase the static compression, you're going to run into piston to valve clearance issues. Then you need to flycut the pistons to run any decent sized cam. Running higher compression ratio is a must if you hope to gain anything from running E. I'd sure lean toward some type of small chamber catty port head vs the LS3 stuff.
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Old Jan 31, 2022 | 05:03 PM
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Yeah I planned on having the LS3 heads milled I think I read online 030. And I also planned on running my same small camshaft. I know some might feel like it's holding me back but in the past I've bought some real big donkey dick cams. And they just felt like they gave up so much power and torque down low. Then i had to end up spinning it to the Moon on a stock bottom end and that scared me. I'm getting a little older and I've kind of learned to appreciate the small to medium sized cams because they make good power under the curve. Someone plan if I went with LS3 heads and intake was to have them mailed and use my small camshaft. I hope using the small camshaft I shouldn't have any PTV issues. But as you said I have been leaning more and more towards just getting a nice set of LS2 trick flow 225s or having my stock 243 castings ported. I appreciate everybody's input I'm learning a lot
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Old Jan 31, 2022 | 05:05 PM
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I've been looking at the trick flow fast as cast 220's and 225s. And I'm unsure what head I need to be considering.. they both claim their compatible with LS2. With the 220s have a smaller chamber and give me a little more compression that I'm looking for or should I go with a 225s
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Old Jan 31, 2022 | 05:16 PM
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The 220 and 225 numbers refer to the intake port volume. That has nothing to do with compression ratio. If you look at the web page of anyone selling them, they should list the chamber volume. Stock LS2 head chamber volume is between 64 and 66 cc's depending on who you believe. Stock LS3 is between 68 and 70 cc's depending on who you believe.
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Old Jan 31, 2022 | 07:38 PM
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Phantoms me when one goes go down the road of cam'g to being with, when supercharging makes a hell of lot more HP to start with, and don't run into any surging problems to begin with that makes the motor unusable in stop and go traffic.
Hence Ls2 or Ls3, starting point with supercharging is 650HP in basic form, and with a few mods, well the hell over 700hp (brutal amounts of torque) not out of the question as well. So really, with supercharging, it's close to a one and done at the motor, and then you get to spend the rest of your money on the drive line to get it to hold up to that kind of power next.

Last edited by Dano523; Feb 1, 2022 at 08:20 PM.
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Old Feb 1, 2022 | 12:43 PM
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The 243 heads are good stock, but really pick up with a good CNC porting. The cam you have is a great street cam. If it was mine, I’d see where you could get them ported. Measure your piston to valve before you send them off. Then get them cut an amount that won’t cause ptv issues.
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Old Feb 1, 2022 | 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by zanerwaner
2006 C6 LS2 A6 80k miles. 224/224/600/600 112+3 cam. Ported Fast 102, 60lb injectors. 1 7/8 headers, 3" x pipe, 3" axle back,Vararam intake, FTI 3400 triple disc stall, Flex fuel E85 tune
Id like more power, like everyone...Im torn on my next move . What would be the best bang for the buck mod. Bigger cam? Ported heads? LS3 heads and intake?

Not ready to go power adder yet
What move would you make next ?
If it was me, I'd look at different heads. Namely, AFR 225's or 230's, TFS, etc. I would stay with cathedral, as you have invested considerable amount in the FAST 102. If you go LS3 heads, you'd have to come up with another $1k for a different intake. AFR also makes 245 cathedrals, but those are pretty large for an LS2. There are 2 guys I know of for sure who are in the know about cathedrals, and they're who I'd call. That would be Tony Mamo and Brian Tooley. Many probably don't remember Tony's C5, but it was a stock displacement LS1, with AFR heads, a mild cam, and a Vortex Rammer intake with a Haltech Stinger airbridge. This car was a 346 cube, 11.20s@125mph car!!! Sure, you can bet it was tuned within an inch of its life, but if anyone knows how to make fast, streetable C5 LS1s and LS2s, it's these 2 guys. Best of luck to you......

EDIT!!!!! I'd forgotten LS2s came with the 243s. I'd still do what I suggested, just disregard aftermarket heads. Briand or Tony could port your heads and save some big bucks. You have the supporting mods in place. Port those 243s, and that car will be like a whole different animal, with a different tune, of course!!

Last edited by grinder11; Feb 1, 2022 at 02:22 PM.
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Old Feb 1, 2022 | 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by zanerwaner
2006 C6 LS2 A6 80k miles. 224/224/600/600 112+3 cam. Ported Fast 102, 60lb injectors. 1 7/8 headers, 3" x pipe, 3" axle back,Vararam intake, FTI 3400 triple disc stall, Flex fuel E85 tune
Id like more power, like everyone...Im torn on my next move . What would be the best bang for the buck mod. Bigger cam? Ported heads? LS3 heads and intake?

Not ready to go power adder yet
What move would you make next ?
Any ET/mph you can share as to how fast the current setup is? Depending on how efficient your current setup is, there might not me much left or might not pickup enough mph going to an aftermarket head and bigger cam that would be worth the money so to speak.
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Old Feb 1, 2022 | 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by zanerwaner
2006 C6 LS2 A6 80k miles. 224/224/600/600 112+3 cam. Ported Fast 102, 60lb injectors. 1 7/8 headers, 3" x pipe, 3" axle back,Vararam intake, FTI 3400 triple disc stall, Flex fuel E85 tune
Id like more power, like everyone...Im torn on my next move . What would be the best bang for the buck mod. Bigger cam? Ported heads? LS3 heads and intake?

Not ready to go power adder yet
What move would you make next ?
Based on your mods, ported LS3 heads and LS3 intake would be the way to go.

But if I were you, I would go forced induction. But you will likely need bigger injectors and upgraded fuel pump/system.

It really depends on your goals and intended use for the car.
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Old Feb 5, 2022 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by da6speed
Any ET/mph you can share as to how fast the current setup is? Depending on how efficient your current setup is, there might not me much left or might not pickup enough mph going to an aftermarket head and bigger cam that would be worth the money so to speak.
I've never raced the car at the track...only street race I got in was a newish Volkswagen golf gti that was modified. Would only race from a 50 roll. Neck and neck for awhile..by 130 he beat me by a fender ...oh the shame I felt lol
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Old Feb 5, 2022 | 10:12 PM
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Appreciate everyone's input gives me more to consider. Still a toss up on having my 243 worked over or just going with LS3 heads and intake.. I decided I'll stick with my camshaft after hearing everyone's thoughts. Seems I made a semi good choice with that lol
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