Cam getting installed soon.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 156
Likes: 52
From: Illinois
Cam getting installed soon.
Hey guys, I am gonna take my car and get either the btr stage 2 or 3 put in my 08 ls3. I am wondering if it's worth the money to have the heads pulled and port and polished vs buying a new set of heads done up.
I don't know what the hp/tq increase would be. And if it's worth doing. I have a buddy that keeps telling me to get new heads also but I just don't know if it's worth the extra 2ish grand.
What are any thought? Thanks.
I don't know what the hp/tq increase would be. And if it's worth doing. I have a buddy that keeps telling me to get new heads also but I just don't know if it's worth the extra 2ish grand.
What are any thought? Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Untouched OEM LS3 heads flow very good ... Just my opinion, but porting your stock LS3 heads or replacing them with aftermarket heads is not a very good 'bang for the buck' deal.
Spend the money elsewhere.
Spend the money elsewhere.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 156
Likes: 52
From: Illinois
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 215
From: Dallas, Tx
yea the headers and Xpipe along with a powerbond HB also is this car an A6 or M6 and are you going with the BTR 2 V2 cam? if you have the A6 put a Yank or Circle D stall converter and have some real fun
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 45
Likes: 4
Hey guys, I am gonna take my car and get either the btr stage 2 or 3 put in my 08 ls3. I am wondering if it's worth the money to have the heads pulled and port and polished vs buying a new set of heads done up.
I don't know what the hp/tq increase would be. And if it's worth doing. I have a buddy that keeps telling me to get new heads also but I just don't know if it's worth the extra 2ish grand.
What are any thought? Thanks.
I don't know what the hp/tq increase would be. And if it's worth doing. I have a buddy that keeps telling me to get new heads also but I just don't know if it's worth the extra 2ish grand.
What are any thought? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 156
Likes: 52
From: Illinois
So I guess any input on the stages also would be a good thing too. I've been wanting a cam for a while now mostly for the sound of the chop at idle, and the power of course. I guess if it's worth doing something with the heads and gaining actual decent power for the money, I'll do it. Seems from what I seen the gains are like 30 to 40 more horsepower?!? I could be wrong but, thats what the questions for.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,666
Likes: 1,847
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
So it's an m6 and I'm still on the fence for the stage 2 or 3. I want the power and the chop but I want it to be nice, or decent in the city driving category also. I mean I know I can't expect stock driving characteristics but i dont want it to beat me to death either. I dont know what the difference between the v2 cam from the V1 is. The shop thats doing the work said they do alot of stage 3 BTR cams and people love them. Although he did say i'd still have some bucking at lower speeds.
So I guess any input on the stages also would be a good thing too. I've been wanting a cam for a while now mostly for the sound of the chop at idle, and the power of course. I guess if it's worth doing something with the heads and gaining actual decent power for the money, I'll do it. Seems from what I seen the gains are like 30 to 40 more horsepower?!? I could be wrong but, thats what the questions for.
So I guess any input on the stages also would be a good thing too. I've been wanting a cam for a while now mostly for the sound of the chop at idle, and the power of course. I guess if it's worth doing something with the heads and gaining actual decent power for the money, I'll do it. Seems from what I seen the gains are like 30 to 40 more horsepower?!? I could be wrong but, thats what the questions for.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,666
Likes: 1,847
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
In regards to heads, if you have the budget, I would say do it. It will enhance the gains from the cam, headers, etc. And yes gains of 30 to 40 hp are definitely possible.
As for porting the stock heads versus buying a brand new set. Porting stock heads can be a little cheaper but will take longer as you have to send your heads off to a shop. Buying a set of heads has advantages as it is quicker and there are awesome options from several companies. I think it mainly comes down to your timeline and budget for the mods.
As for porting the stock heads versus buying a brand new set. Porting stock heads can be a little cheaper but will take longer as you have to send your heads off to a shop. Buying a set of heads has advantages as it is quicker and there are awesome options from several companies. I think it mainly comes down to your timeline and budget for the mods.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Personally, I wouldn't pull a perfectly good running set of LS3 heads for port work or for a head swap. If they had to come off (say to change lifters), I wouldn't put them back on stock either. If the heads have to come off anyway, send them out to get CNC ported and milled. Use a thinner head gasket when going back together. The thinner head gasket tightens up the quench area and helps resist detonation. The bump in static CR gives you more power, better economy, and lessens the possibility of drivability issues from a larger than stock camshaft.
The BTR stage 2 version 2 has at least 7.5 degrees of overlap. Could be more depending on how big the exhaust event actually is. It says 24?. So, it could be 240 or it could be 249 degrees of exhaust duration. It could be 7.5* of overlap or up to 12*. The stage 3 cam shows a miniscule bump in power over the new stage 2. And you get 10.5* of overlap. Either one of those cams has more overlap than I'd want to fool with. If you know what you're getting into, go for it. I hate to see folks go big on a cam upgrade and then regret their camshaft choice. It's expensive and time consuming to fix that kind of mistake.
The BTR stage 2 version 2 has at least 7.5 degrees of overlap. Could be more depending on how big the exhaust event actually is. It says 24?. So, it could be 240 or it could be 249 degrees of exhaust duration. It could be 7.5* of overlap or up to 12*. The stage 3 cam shows a miniscule bump in power over the new stage 2. And you get 10.5* of overlap. Either one of those cams has more overlap than I'd want to fool with. If you know what you're getting into, go for it. I hate to see folks go big on a cam upgrade and then regret their camshaft choice. It's expensive and time consuming to fix that kind of mistake.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 156
Likes: 52
From: Illinois
You guys are probably right. I'll keep them on unless there is a problem later on. Saves me some cash also. Good thing too cause a P3 for the car is expensive with the wide band.
Maybe I'll do coilovers also.
Maybe I'll do coilovers also.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 156
Likes: 52
From: Illinois
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 1,133
From: North Myrtle Beach SC
I just did the btr stage 1 V2, rod mod intake, full exhaust with npp and a Yank ss3600 converter. Car went 11.20@125 with only 1.72 60’. Poor track prep. There’s a high 10 in there. I’d bet a Stage 3 cam would only pick up a tenth or so
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 156
Likes: 52
From: Illinois