KrisR

iTrader: (2)

I have PRC stage 2.5 5.3 heads now. Found a set of brand new Dart Pro1 205cc heads for a decent deal and I was thinking of swapping. I'm guessing these will be an upgrade from what I have, but by how much? I have a TSP 228R-112 cam and I'm planning on keeping it.

Who is using them? List your combo / dyno if possible. Thanks.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

id look at the AFR 215's or TFS 215

R6cowboy

iTrader: (3)

I haven't heard anything good about those Dart Pro1 heads. It might actually be a downgrade honestly.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

I highly doubt they are any kind of downgrade, the problem is for the price they are competing with PRC AFR TFS, all of which make better heads with better results.

R6cowboy

iTrader: (3)

Hold up Tainted. The Dart Pro 1 LS1 heads are no where near in the price range of TFS, AFR or PRC aftermarket heads. The Dart Pro 1 heads assembled cost less then PRC stage 2.5 5.3L heads.

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

Those Dart heads in stock form will not be worth the time and money swapping them out for the PRC 5.3's. With some hand porting by someone who knows what they are doing, the Dart heads seem to flow pretty well.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

damn hang on Im looking at the wrong heads LOL

R6cowboy

iTrader: (3)

I was going to say you must have something confussed. Lol

OP, if you're looking for a serious upgrade from your PRC 2.5 5.3L heads, DO NOT consider those Dart Pro 1 heads. Bottom line is they suck.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

Here you go, this should help:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...s/viewall.html



Still, I think the darts would perform slightly better than your 2.5's but I think youre better off saving for a little better head like the AFR or TFS

Dart 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.550 0.600 0.650 0.700
Intake 66.3 131.1 185.5 232.4 266.6 275.5 261.3 263.0 264.5
xhaust 50.0 96.0 138.0 174.5 196.3 204.3 208.02.5 5.3's


PRC 5.3's
3.910" Flow Plate - No Exhaust Pipe
Lift
Intake Flow
Exhaust Flow


.200"

147 cfm

111 cfm


.300"

206 cfm

145 cfm


.400"

254 cfm

185 cfm


.500"

291 cfm

204 cfm


.600"

312 cfm

223 cfm

R6cowboy

iTrader: (3)

This right here shows the Dart Pro1 heads flow considerably less then the PRC stage 2.5 5.3L heads. They also don't perform all that well. Easy to say, OP don't waste your money.

KrisR

iTrader: (2)

Thanks guys. I think I'm gonna pass. Even if they gave me 15 extra rwhp (which they likely wouldn't) there's no way it would be worth the cost of labor, gaskets, etc. to do it.

Guy on Corvetteforum from LG has a set brand new for $1400 assembled with springs.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

look into the prc 227's. they would be worth upgrading

KrisR

iTrader: (2)

I saw those too. Any guess on power gains over what I have using my smallish cam?

Honestly I should just leave what I have on there and just buy a nice set of lightweight wheels and get rid of my Chinese repro ones...I would probably feel those more than the 20hp I would gain with better heads....

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

I think you could stand to gain about 25hp with the 227's I could be wrong though.

intake runner, chamber size, valve sizes etc ltos of factors go into play, a lot more than just flow numbers.

KrisR

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, I don't pay much attention to flow numbers. I want to see real horsepower and track numbers that come from a particular combo.

R6cowboy

iTrader: (3)

I think approx. 25hp gain would a good guess upgrading to heads like PRC 227s, AFR 225s or TFS 215s.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I bought one of the first sets when they first came out. They were a nice upgrade from stock 241's. I have since moved on to mamofied AFR's. I paid $1,250 for them new and sold them with about 7K miles for $950. Before selling I cleaned them like new and lapped the valves. Later sets had some issues and then there were some port jobs that left the walls thin and they sucked oil into the intake cylinder so there was bad press there as well.

So for $1,400, since you already have heads, I would pass.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Dart heads ported by Advanced Induction might be worth it tho.

AI charges $1895 for the full CNC, BTR Platinum springs, new backcut Manley valves, and the Dart castings. I just sent a note to Phil asking about them. The flow numbers on them are better than the AI 226cc LS6 heads and it's a 223cc port with 2.00"/1.55" valves.

Flow:

100 66.7 52.5
200 149.4 113.1
300 217.6 156.3
400 262.7 201
500 297.3 247.6
550 305.2 261.5
600 311.4 272.3
650 313.6 275.8

mercccc

Ive seen a few threads where they can be very good but need work, like AI does^^

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

I don't know if those exhaust numbers are right. That's crazy flow around .600" with a stock 1.55" valve. But those intake flow numbers are 7-9cfm better than the LS6 heads AI does. And the LS6 heads make as much power as any aftermarket casting I've seen.