Decadence75

iTrader: (17)

I currently have the mods in my sig. I have an LS6 manifold on the way. I have 853 as cast heads at the moment. Would it be worth it to get some as cast 243 heads or should I save it for building a new LS2/LS3 longblock a few years down the road?

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

If the plan was for an LS2/LS3 in the future...Stop right there and save your $$$.


A head swap alone could cost you grand! Even if you score $500-$600 heads, don't forget the gaskets, pushrods, bolts, coolant, tools, time. My effort and time is valuable to me....I would go for CNC ported heads and a bigger cam. Your Hot Cam is pretty weak.

I also wouldnt slap 243s on an LS2 or even an LS3...If I was going 4.00" bore I would go Rect port heads.

Decadence75

iTrader: (17)

I just put in hardened pushrods, trunion upgrade and MLS gaskets about 2 weeks ago. Among a dozen other things. Swapping heads for me will be the price of heads plus $50 for new bolts and coolant, maybe another $20.

You are way over quoting the work.

LS1121

iTrader: (17)

Would it be worth it for you????? he gave you his opinion and you did not like it so............I guess the only one that can answer that question is YOU.

Decadence75

iTrader: (17)

It is not about opinions. It is about facts. I responded to hardware upgrades that he thought were necessary. Did you even ready the thread?

Decadence75

iTrader: (17)

If I bought a set of as cast and had them milled .020, would that be enough to make me need to re-evaluate my Pushrod length?

LS1121

iTrader: (17)

If you go to 243 heads you will need new push rods. I did and had to get new ones even everyone said mine would be fine. and no I don't read the posts I just look at the pictures.

Decadence75

iTrader: (17)

If I went straight for straight stock swap, what is your reason for new pushrods?

reeperz28

iTrader: (1)

Just measure . And when i thought i was just gonna swap heads only i went ahead and did all new sensors and ls6 pcv. It was quite a bit of work taking the heads off just dont underestimate the labor of taking them off. Watch out for the while im in there bug

Decadence75

iTrader: (17)

Puling the heads and replacing them is 2-3 hours at most. It is not a big deal to me

antirice69

If you're swapping LS6 243 heads you will need to at least verify pushrod length because LS6 valves are around .025" longer.

MonmouthCtyLS7

iTrader: (6)

W/ the stock 243's you'll see 10-15 hp over the stockers

}BlueFire{

iTrader: (8)

It sounds like your mind is made up anyway so just do it. Your telling everyone labor n time don't matter to you and the cost is hardly anything... so really why are you asking are opinion? A gain is a gain who cares how much the gain is if its only 70 bucks and time. Right? N yes always check pushrod length

}BlueFire{

iTrader: (8)

N 10-15 HP people pay over a grand to get that much horse with fast intakes... just do it

one fast zo6

iTrader: (490)

camshaft + 243 heads= win

poloaa009

If you go to 243 heads you will need new push rods.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

2-3 hours to swap heads?

gaskets are $30-40, bolts are $40+, oil change kit is $20-35, I recommend water pump gaskets for another $10 or so

spicebird98

iTrader: (10)

Geez OP sorry for the ******* responses youve been getting on this thread. But yes, 243's would be worth it for you in my opinion, you could also go with a set of 799's either head you should be able to find for 350 bucks. You're gonna need to measure for new pushrods as well. I would use a .040 head gasket while youre at it to bump compression and get a tighter quench. Id expect over 15 rwhp gain if you do that.

IllusionalTA

iTrader: (9)

Typical tech responses... Do it, your HP can only go up... If you have heads off.. put a cam in too..

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

Yes HP will definitely go up...but the concern is bang/buck.

Under 20rwhp gain for as cast with the mill he is talking about. Whether its worth it is up to him.


A head swap is a little messier and time consuming than some might think. I can only imagine the pain in the *** doing it under a fbody cowl.