Lardogg

I'm new to the site and new to my first f-body. My question is the car I bought is for the most part stock. 02 ws6 with some bracing, L/T headers, 3" exhaust, lid w/ k&N. My friend said he has a set of 5.3 ported and polished heads for $800. Now is this a good deal and is it a big upgrade from stock? I wanted him to do a cam install and he said I mite as well do the heads while he's in there. Just need some advice. I was reading somewhere on here there was a cam sticky on different cams and profiles. Anybody point me in the right direction?

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

If they are just ported ....no. if they have been cnc ported and had ls1 intake valves, they would be an upgrade, and great later if you decide to cam it.

I would pass if they are hack job hand ported. For another 300 ish bucks you can have brand new tsp 2.5 5.3 heads or for about 800 or less you can pick them up used on here.

Lardogg

He said something about them having bigger valves. What questions should I ask to see if there worth the time and money. I just don't know to much about these kind of things.

Sales3@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (2)

Hand porting can be just as good as a cnc'd process, it just takes someone who knows what they are doing. If you can get any kind of specs on them, that information may give you enough to know if they are worth it or not.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

my point was, saying I wouldnt buy them unless they were CNC machined is because he can pick up a set of used TSP 2.5 5.3 heads on here for the same price. or for a little more, brand new ones. I know they can be just as good, but when it comes down to it, If i had the choice between hand ported heads or CNC ported heads from a reputable vendor, I'd pick the CNC heads.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

I wouldn't pay $800 for used heads. Seats or guides may be worn and who knows what condition the springs are in. If you have to fix some of that stuff you could easily have as much in them as a new set... $500 I would do....

NC98Z

iTrader: (1)

How true. You can pickup a set of 243s for that price.

Lardogg

Thanks for the heads up. He told me they were hand ported and flow tested at a shop. I know they came off a car that was built from the bottom end up. The car had 100 or 150 shot on it and was driven hard. The guy pulled the motor and put a 427ci in it and sold the motor. I'm going to have to pass on the used heads. What kind of gains would I see from a new set of 5.3 tsp 2.5 heads and how much difference going up to 243's? This is just all new to me and i'm trying to learn as I go.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

243's are the best value on the market IMO....

parks450

iTrader: (17)

Well you dont want to slap TSP 2.5 heads on their unless your doing a cam to. If your doing a cam/heads you could see 75HPish give or take some, if your doing a intake as well, FAST, etc. you could easily see over 100hp.