HottLS1Z

iTrader: (5)

Probably putting some stock 243 heads on my car, which is just a bolt on car for now. Wondering what kinda gains ppl have seen just doing that and not swapping the cam, Also think ill need any major tuning after that?

JohnS Z28

iTrader: (1)

you can expect...about 15-20 rwhp? Best if you did a cam at the same time though.
dont know about tuning

Darkman

iTrader: (2)

If you are never going to have those heads cnc'd I would go ahead and install them with some fresh lifters and trays. However, if you plan on having them reworked I would not install them until that was done.

mpatton

Do it...I put a set on my Gto a long time ago and it made a noticeable difference. Sold it and put them on my camaro with a small 228/224 cam and loved it.

mpatton

Btw. They are unported. Its worth it imo. If ur not gunna change cams leave the lifters alone. Just new gaskets and head bolts and knock it out in a weekend. And also yes get a tune.

trans_am7935

iTrader: (15)

since the lifters and trays are not able to be accessed without the heads being removed, then it would be a good idea to change them while you are in there. if anything this gives piece of mind, and gives a greater chance of the trays retaining the lifters if you do indeed decide to change the cam down the line. it is never a bad idea to go with new lifters, considering the newest one of these LS1 F-body cars is 10 years old!

mpatton

^^^i guess you could go either way. I personally would leave them alone if all your gunna do is swap heads. Up to you though.

drpokey

Please dont waste your time on this.... I did this many years ago, and with bolt ons and ported 243 heads dynoed 300 rwhp on a 2004 ls1 gto. About 4000 miles later, i put in a tsp 224r cam andvthe nextvtime itvwas dynoed, it put down 393.... the cam isvyour bang for the buck. NEVER heads before cam. Learn from my experience.

HottLS1Z

iTrader: (5)

I will be changing out the lifters as well, figured that was a given. This is far from my first LS1 car just never did just the LS6 Heads wondering peoples experience with this. I may do the LS6 cam if I can find one at a good price. Car has 147k miles, mostly highway on it so I just want to freshin up the top end for now. Next year ill be rebuilding the bottom end and going turbo so what cam for now and doing cnc'd heads is not a concern right now as ill pick out a cam for the turbo setup later when I finalize the build.

HottLS1Z

iTrader: (5)

Probably because the CNC'd heads were a bit much for a stock cam depending how much they were worked. Stock may be a different story. Not for sure on the GTO but I know 98-00 F-bodies had a bigger cam then the later models too so my 98 will see better gains from just the heads retaining the stock cam then a 01-02.

HottLS1Z

iTrader: (5)

I see you mentioned the trays, why would I replace those? I havent had one of these cars in a few years until I picked this one up last month, last I checked there were no issues with the stock trays has something changed?

got-a-ls1

iTrader: (12)

nah nothing wrong with trays.. he is talking about new trays just so they will be tighter holding the lifters if you change the cam down the road "roulette" style. no need for new trays, a 5/16th dowel will hold the lifters up regardless of how "old" the trays are. waste of time and money.

Darkman

iTrader: (2)

New LS2 trays are improved, cheap, and help (according to many) prevent the lifters from turning, which can ruin the cam.

drpokey

No trying to cause trouble, but why do folks on forums ask for opinions when they've already decided what they are going to do???

IRONFIST

I did exactly what you want to do, LS6 heads on a stock bottom end / cam. HP went up but so did gas mileage! Which rocked...
However, it would have taken me only an hour or so to do a cam swap while doing the heads so I wish I had done that.
I'm doing that now, and ripping the heads off anyway so I should have done it all at once.

disc0monkey

iTrader: (10)

imo trying the heads without a cam is fine, like always, i feel like a broken record...take down rocker arm bulge and clean up the bowls and polish the exhaust....all it costs is a few bucks and will increase your hp/$ this mod.

trans_am7935

iTrader: (15)

with 147k on the clock and at just under $7 a tray from the WS6 store, there is really no reason not to. and with just about 150k on the clock, i would recommend getting new lifters. i changed out every moving part that i could when i did my heads and cam, just cause i was runnin close to the 100k mark.

bjamick

iTrader: (31)

The head have a nice increase in power and torque all over the power band. It's a nice addition to a stock motor or even a cammed car.

HottLS1Z

iTrader: (5)

Yeah I will be doing the lifters as well with ls7 replacements.

HottLS1Z

iTrader: (5)

Well if you read the thread closely it doesn't say anything about "should I?" It says I am and am wondering what kinda gains people experienced....never said I was undecided...