mecha

Hoping for some feedback here on costs.

I'm looking to replace the heads on my LS7 for all the obvious reasons, but not sure what to expect the cost to be for a shop to perform the work. I've seen in other threads that some folks are doing this for ~$1,500, provided they're handling the install themselves. Is that just the cost of the heads? Does that include valves, springs, etc..? What about gaskets, bolts, and so on?

Not sure I'm looking to handle the work myself since I have a 14 month old with another on the way, so finding the time will be the challenge. Also, if I'm going to have the motor blown apart, I'm kicking around the idea of doing a mild cam and possibly headers/high flow cats. As for goals, the car is strictly a weekend cruiser and no intention to track, so the main goal is durability and maybe getting into the 500-550whp range if the money is right.

Think you guys can help me out with what reasonable costs would be for the following options installed?

1. Heads only.
2. Heads, mild cam, tune.
3. Heads, mild cam, headers/HF cats, tune.

Thanks ahead of time guys.

Tonylmiller

Sounds like you need to contact a vendor and get some quotes.

mecha

I'm not looking for a detailed breakdown here, just looking for a rough idea of cost for those 3 scenarios to make sure the local shop quotes I get are reasonable.

Too-Fast

Don’t know where you are in Jersey, but there are a number of shops in the NJ, PA, DE area that will give you actual quotes. The $1500 head number always quoted is for replacement, rebuilt heads without any “extras”. If you go to AHP’s site you can customize the heads and end up as much as $3500 just for the heads alone, without the R&R.

LS1Steve

Yes the ~1500 comes with a complete assembled set of heads with new valves, guides, springs, and all the install fixins (gaskets, hardware) except fluids.

1. Heads only
$2000-2500 installed
But, you should tune here too, +$400-600

2. Heads, mild cam, tune
cam +$2500-2800 to the above (with tune included - they have to tune after a cam)

3. Heads, mild cam, headers/HF cats, tune.
headers/cats +$1500-2500 to above depending on which units you go with

These are basic ballpark figures. LOTS of areas to upgrade while you're there. New lifters/pushrods, better springs/retainers, porting of heads/TB/intake, aftermarket intake... all this stuff will add up but increase the end power. Really depends on your budget.

froggy47

mecha

Too-Fast,

Thanks. Completely understand there's a number of variables here. Just looking to make sure I'm not making an uneducated purchase and get taken for a ride.

LS1Steve,

Thanks for the feedback. Think this gets me to a baseline to work from if I decide to deviate with other parts upgrades and/or porting.

MTPZ06

Go to the AHP website...very user friendly to figure out what you want your build to consist of: https://www.americanheritageperformance.com

If you were a DIY'er...
AHP heads start at $1398
AHP's DIY R&R head install kit $429 (everything but fluids)
Want a cam...AHP's DIY cam install kit $915 (including cam)

Dyno tunes are typically around $600 +/-

73DBG

HotRodWebb

Not sure if Labor rates are similar in your area but I just got a quote from a "top of the line" shop here in TN. Labor for installing a full Mamo Motorsports package including headers, cam, heads, intake and all the supporting bolt ons is going to be $2,340. Dyno tune + extensive street tune is $750 in addition to the $2,340.

JesC6Z

Innovate

Tune-wise find a local guy with good rep with HP Tuners. The price ranges from $300-$450. Sit on a Dyno and you are at $600+.

73DBG

C6Z06Silverbullet

If your from Jersey give East Coast Superchargers a call. Guys are very helpful and do killer work. They are located in Creamridge NJ. They specialize in C5 C6 &C7 Vettes

Spacewalker

1. Heads installed $2500 - $4000
(this is rebuilding your heads or using them as cores +$1000-$1200 to keep your heads)
-$1500 valve job and new SS valves, $500-$1000 more to port/mill.
-gaskets bolts etc required to install heads $300-$500
-Labor to install heads $500-$800
2. Heads andCam install $3500-$6000 (some of the labor overlaps)
Cam $300-$500
Install pkg, $500-$700
Labor $1000-$1500(incl tune)
3. Add Headers $1500-$2500 more

redone stock Heads alone are not that hard to do yourself for $1500. Anything else requires tuning.

Landru

Going through this right now, but, in rural WI.
Labor's probably higher here then NJ. YMMV

My quotes:
1 - $4.5K which included internal head upgrades.
2 - $7K OTD, gaskets/fluids/plugs/wires/filters etc + tune.
3 - More.

Good deal of labor involved w/ either operation, caught somewhat a deal on labor doing both at same time vs heads this yr & cam, next.
Labor savings made it a tough decision for me because really wasn't looking for more power per se.

Everything comes down to what's in the wallet.
G/L

C6Z06Silverbullet

If you are planning on doing heads, exhaust & cam just do it one shot if you can. You will save a lot on labor doing it at the same time instead separately.

slammin86

I struggled with this same decision. I really didn't want to cam the car but knew I had to do the heads. I opted to do the AHP116 cam, AHP ported and milled heads and a corsa intake. I kept the oem exhaust manifolds and had a wideband bung welded in.

NVNO1

How does it drive compared to stock? How much rwhp did it make? This is pretty close to what I’m having done.

slammin86

I have not been on a dyno with it.

I left my idle at 650 so you can tell it has a cam.

After I tuned it you cannot even tell it is cammed unless it is idling. Drives like stock.