Stock 243 heads worth the swap or need cnc porting?
12-11-2018, 06:45 AM
#1
Stock 243 heads worth the swap or need cnc porting?
I'm hunting down a set of 243/799 heads and trying to decide if cnc porting for another $500-1000 is worth it. My car is stock now (except cat backs) but I plan on adding ls6 intake, headers, and probably a hot cam in the next few months.
Car puts down 314 rwhp as it stands today. My goal is to get north of 400 rwhp.
Car puts down 314 rwhp as it stands today. My goal is to get north of 400 rwhp.
Last edited by Carolina99; 12-11-2018 at 06:47 AM.
12-11-2018, 11:15 AM
#2
Tech Contributor
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CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Well,,,,, you cant easily get to 400 without the 243 heads and you cant easily get north of 400 without more air flow through the 243 heads. I have Patriot Performance CNC heads. I also have an aggressive cam, ported FAST 90 intake, ported 90 mmTB, long tube headers, 42 lb/hr injectors and a vararam. The heads were also worked in the combustion chambers for more compression. That gets me a solid and safe 450 RWHP.
Some other options.
Used OEM heads that are already ported,
After market ported heads.
Used aftermarket ported heads.
Don't know what option is less cash.
Some other options.
Used OEM heads that are already ported,
After market ported heads.
Used aftermarket ported heads.
Don't know what option is less cash.
12-11-2018, 07:48 PM
#4
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
Have the guides checked, price valve job & springs. Usually worth it if its a good job
CNC is just a copy of someones hand job so-
CNC is just a copy of someones hand job so-
12-11-2018, 08:09 PM
#5
Race Director
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
if you're going to stay n/a and want mid to upper 400s out of it then it would probably be worth it, if you ever decide to boost the car it probably wouldn't be worth it in my opinion
12-11-2018, 10:13 PM
#6
Former Vendor
I'm hunting down a set of 243/799 heads and trying to decide if cnc porting for another $500-1000 is worth it. My car is stock now (except cat backs) but I plan on adding ls6 intake, headers, and probably a hot cam in the next few months.
Car puts down 314 rwhp as it stands today. My goal is to get north of 400 rwhp.
Car puts down 314 rwhp as it stands today. My goal is to get north of 400 rwhp.
Let me know if i can help you put a package together. We can get you set up with the proper parts for you goals. Call or email.
12-12-2018, 12:07 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I put low milage STOCK 243 heads on my cam/fast intake /LT headered car--- Cost was only $700-- The 243's not only flow pleny enough for 500 Crank HP but they also add about 1/2 point of compression ratio ! Depends on your budget--Yeah If you can afford a set of aftermarket ported heads of course they will add more HP--But not that much The 243's on my car added about 15 RWHP and I would guess a ported set would add about 25-35 RWHP-- Cam choice wou;d be more important as will better exhaust
12-14-2018, 11:07 AM
#9
Racer
I think if you're going to have the heads off you would want to go ahead and port the heads (if you already have them) or go aftermarket. If you want stock ported heads and havent bought any yet, you could always pull yours off and send them to be done if you have the time. I personally dont think the 243s are enough of an upgrade on their own to justify the swap.
12-24-2018, 02:16 PM
#10
Just something to think about if you keep your stock cam. If you port the heads, you will increase the runner size and volume and the velocity will be slower at lower rpm's. To put it simply, you may not feel any gains below 4k rpm's and possibly feel slower and almost like a dog. Now, I would imagine that if you were to take some off the heads down to 61-62cc along with a super high quality valve job keeping the porting stock (untouched) you will really notice...!!!
12-24-2018, 07:49 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
I'm hunting down a set of 243/799 heads and trying to decide if cnc porting for another $500-1000 is worth it. My car is stock now (except cat backs) but I plan on adding ls6 intake, headers, and probably a hot cam in the next few months.
Car puts down 314 rwhp as it stands today. My goal is to get north of 400 rwhp.
Car puts down 314 rwhp as it stands today. My goal is to get north of 400 rwhp.
They also have 5.3 heads that are cnc ported for 1299.00, not sure if those are meant for a 5.3 or a 5.7, I would just spend the extra on the 243/799 heads.
I would think these heads should be good, I was wanting to find 799 heads to send to advanced induction to cnc port, but buying heads and then the porting cost more than the Texas Speed 1400.00 heads.
Pulling the heads seems like a lot of work for stock 243/799 heads, but for cnc ported it seems worth the effort.
12-27-2018, 01:36 AM
#13
Safety Car
Well,,,,, you cant easily get to 400 without the 243 heads and you cant easily get north of 400 without more air flow through the 243 heads. I have Patriot Performance CNC heads. I also have an aggressive cam, ported FAST 90 intake, ported 90 mmTB, long tube headers, 42 lb/hr injectors and a vararam. The heads were also worked in the combustion chambers for more compression. That gets me a solid and safe 450 RWHP.
Some other options.
Used OEM heads that are already ported,
After market ported heads.
Used aftermarket ported heads.
Don't know what option is less cash.
Some other options.
Used OEM heads that are already ported,
After market ported heads.
Used aftermarket ported heads.
Don't know what option is less cash.
I am debating what to do, heads and cam or build ls3 Looking for cost effective way, of course ls3 will give me more power and more options. I dont mind a lower power ls3 to start with and build on later.
I rather have more TQ and or equal hp and tq so ls3 for that.