Fix Stock Heads or go Heads/Cam?
 

Hello everybody,

I'm wondering on the best path forward. C6 Z06 that's primary use is going to be a track day/HPDE car with some street/strip use mixed in.

I'm torn between fixing the stock heads, by sending them out to AHP and leaving it stock, no porting or anything that requires a tune. Or just going with a RPM Stage 3 setup (B3 Cam, AI 280cc Heads, ARH, Mamo MSD, NW102 TB, Intake, Tune). I'll be doing the work myself and tuning will be handled by the local guru Dr. Phil.

The one part that really makes me look at a Heads/Cam setup is fixing the stock heads is by no means cheap. Also I know I'll get bored of stock power/sound eventually. So the couple G-notes I'd spend on fixing stock heads would be out the window once I replace them and the cam anyway.

Your thoughts? Keep the usage of the vehicle in mind and if you have any experience tracking a Heads/Cam or stock LS7, let me know.

Thanks

Judging by what is in the garage, I believe what you are looking for is something that will burn liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen and fit under the hood.

...Haha I guess? Lol.

I have been curious myself why people don't go with aftermarket heads vs. stockers. I understand the stock heads flow extremely well, but with the issues with the guides you would think the aftermarket heads might be a better choice. :bigears

ALL PRO heads.. Cam of your choice, supporting mods, tune... DONE!

Because stock castings are great. Aftermarket if you need thick deck or special setup but most people don't need that. Aftermarket can easily be $5-8k. Besides extreme setups that need specific things like 6 bolt or large spring pockets there is almost no reason to spend that amount.

Fix stock heads for about $1500-$2000 all said and done or go Heads/Cam for about $4500-$5500. Headers/Intake/Tune will bring the complete Heads/Cam package to about $6500 out the door.

If post #2 in your other thread didn't answer your dilemma with regard to your intended use case, not sure what further advice you're looking for...

Your hesitation about spending a couple more thousand is also inconsistent with the "Current Garage" you list.. Something isn't right here, LMAO

Alright Steve.

You can't go wrong either way, between fixing/porting your stock castings for a medium investment, or spending more now to save money later on a set of All Pros. It's cheaper to buy one set of All Pros once, (buy once cry once), than 2 sets....good heads now, then great heads later. If your goal is just track use...I'd reach for the WCCH Stg 2 heads. If you want the ultimate heads now, WCCH All Pros are great. But you'll be spending twice as much dough on fully dressed All Pros.

I've had 600rwhp + in my Z for 3 years now and I would not consider my car track friendly. People who go to the track talk about it being more gratifying to go WOT in a 500rwhp car than constantly half throttling a 600rwhp car. If you want to track it, stage 2 stock heads and FBO with a stock cam low 500s rwhp, and just enjoy it.

Sounds good. Options are still open but I'm thinking stock cam but Heads/FBO are the way I'm looking. RPM recently put their AI 280cc Heads on an otherwise bone stock Z06 and made great power. Adding Headers/Intake to that would probably be a great track setup. I'll contact them on that.

Ai heads have always made killer power and performed well. Wcch stage 2 a close 2nd. Can't go wrong with either.

Spend the money once now. AHP stage 4 stock heads plus springs, 116 cam, MSD ported intake, tune. Close to 100 extra rwhp.

I recommend the Katech 110 cam for better mid-range power.

The AHP Heads I'm guessing is going to be about $2000 for fixed heads which wouldn't require a tune because I'd keep the parameters stock if I were just fixing them.

Then a complete AI 280cc Heads/B3 Cam setup from RPM is about $4700 and then the complete AI 280cc Heads/B3 Cam/Intake/Headers setup is around $6000. Those are all assuming a -$1,500 core for your factory heads. If you don't send yours back or they're damaged then add $1500 to those prices. Labor is free for me so that's no an issue. And I'm guessing about $500 for a tune.

Those are my rough numbers.