Silver_Bullet_Z28

My setup so far on my LS1 is 224/228 .581 .588 112lsa cam, 373 gears and LS6 intake. I wanna replace the stock 853 heads and get some trick flow heads but don't know what would be best for my setup. I'm also getting 42lbs injectors and I already have springs and hardened chromoly 7.400 pushrods and will be getting BTR lifters so I'm gonna need some heads that will work with stock length pushrods. But let me know what you guys think will be best bang for my buck/best power range and HP. Links are greatly appreciated. Thanks guys -Alex

alexus6798

iTrader: (24)

Why based your heads off stock length pushrods? You can mil them down and get more compression and better performance out of the heads. Not sure on head choice but the 215's would probably do the trick.

427zm

iTrader: (9)

The 215's will be the head you want. They are legit. That said, the logic of getting heads to match the pushrods is backwards. First thing, buy the ported by TEA trick flows. Second thing, your probably going to want to change that cam. First, it's using XER lobes, which tear up the top end. Second, to fully take advantage of the TF heads, you'll want a cam running something LSL/LXL lobes with a little more duration. The LSL and LXL lobes give you better lift to take advantage of the TF heads, and they are much easier on your top end parts. Brian Tooley, Geoff at EPS, ED Curtis, Pat G, and many others here who spec cams will be able to lead you in the right direction on your cam. As far as your pushrods, BTR and just about any of the other vendors would most likely trade out your pushrods for the correct length for most likely just the shipping charge.

So, mill the TEA ported Trick Flow 215's to bump compression, get the correct pushrod, and get a larger cam to make those sweet heads roll out! You can get a GREAT power number from that setup.

Silver_Bullet_Z28

I really want to keep my cam. It has great range and power even though its not the biggest cam. I think I will do what y'all suggested about the shorter push rods and mill but let's say I mill to .2 what pushrod size should I get? I've heard a lot of good things about the 215 heads so ill pick some of those up. And thanks for the responses!

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

You have to run longer pushrods with TFS heads. 7.500" is the generally accepted length. Second, you need roller rockers or an upgrade to PM guides to run stock rockers. Third, the stock TFS valve is heavy and you need a higher pressure spring to control it and the roller rockers. Go through TEA to order the proper valvesprings or go with a turned down LS3 valve which is about 83g vs the Ferrea 110g.

The cam you have will work fine. Just run 11/32nd pushrods and the better valvesprings and lighter valve.

Another option is the As-Cast TFS 220s with the same upgrades. You can get those hand ported and can get equal performance to shelf 215s. And with all those upgrade + hand porting, they will still be cheaper than shelf 215s.

Russ K

iTrader: (1)

I also have TFS 215 heads on my 418, EPS 234/242 .600 .615 117+2 cam, Yella Terra Ultra lite, BTR Platinum springs/titanium retainers, 7.55 5/16" Comp pushrods.

No issues with valve float, and my rev limiter is at 7100 rpm.

I wouldn't mill the heads, instead use .040 Cometic gaskets and you will be close to 11.0 CR.

Russ Kemp

427zm

iTrader: (9)

Silver Bullet, I truly think you like your cam today w/ the setup you are running now, w/ stock heads. For those heads you will want to flow more air, and make more power, and the great thing is you can! You can get a bigger cam with a broad torque range that you will enjoy. Thing is, if there was a time to upgrade the cam, its now while you're doing the head work. For pushrod length, no matter what, you'll need to measure. The TF 215's have a 3/4" deck, so you can mill quiet a bit, bumping compression and really waking up your whole setup, but no matter what you'll need to measure for correct pushrod length and PtV.

If it were me, I'd mill the heads to a 60 or 61 CC chamber, run Cometic .040 gaskets (adding quench to help avoid detonation), and bumping your CR above 11:1. In doing this, the added compression will add torque, and wake up that bottom end, allowing you to go bigger with you cam choice while not eating up your low end. Just a suggestion, look over some of Tick Performance's line of cams just for an idea of LSL lobed cams that would open up those heads nicely. The Tick Street Heat 2 or the SNS Torque Max 2 would both be great mild setups with the TF 215's. in the long run, you'll be happier w/ the LSL lobes over the XER's you're running currently.

Robert02

iTrader: (2)

I got a good deal on some TFS 215 and do you right on some fast injectors 36#. Heads are listed on this site.

00transamws6

iTrader: (4)

OP I got a cam a little bigger then ours, I went with the 220 as cast milled and gain over 50 hp n tq. The 215's would be very beneficial if you can afford them.

Syris

iTrader: (1)

I installed a set of TFS 220 as cast with a 227/235 and made 447hp

sabersaw30

iTrader: (10)

What rockers you running?

Syris

iTrader: (1)

Stock Rockers, I have the powdered metal guides to run factory

sabersaw30

iTrader: (10)

Just curious that is some good dyno no.

Sales@Tick

iTrader: (3)

On a MUSTANG DYNO no less! Oh wait, WITH an LS6 intake too!

Here's a good combo just like Syris has for a strong performer with an awesome torque curve.

SNS Stage 2(227/235 .614"/.621" 110+3)
59cc TFS As Cast 220's OR PRC As Cast 225's OR TEA TFS 215's
LS6 intake