dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

Looking to see if anyone has any impressions of THESE heads... What cams have they used, HP/TQ #'s as well as any track times.

I've talked to Damon @ Mast about them and even though they sell them, nobody has really provided any feedback.

First off, I know they are more "optimal" for a stroker 3.9 bore, and that's soon to come. Damon said they would be a bit lazy below 4-4.5k, but that they'd turn on like a f*cking LIGHT SWITCH there after.

With 4.10 gears, I couldn't imagine it being that bad, as well as an OPTIMIZED camshaft from FTI.

Anyone have any thoughts or contributions?

Marc 85Z28

iTrader: (8)

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

Stick with cathedral on the the small bores.

ryridesmotox

I can't see the benefit unless you are going to mount a blower that has a rectangular port manifold... Obviously there are a lot more options in the rectangular port so I do see the benefit there. But that said, I just priced these on MAST's website... $3600+ for the black label small bores as spec'd. And that's not even the most expensive options.

Edit: let me phrase that differently. Obviously there would be a benefit. But the cost/benefit would be high/low. Why not add a supercharger to your current setup?

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

I say go for it Dave. Ed can take care of the "under 4000 RPM laziness with the cam he specs you. Plus, those heads will be a monster on any size stroker you decide on down the road. Have you decided what intake you plan to run if you get them?

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

1299 each. Not bad to me. Stands are a bill by themselves. Where did you come up with 3600?

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

After talking to different folks, it's gonna be a stock ls3 intake. If it was an LS7 type head, then a FAST for sure.

Ed Curtis

They sure look nice from the piston's view.

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

After you sell the AFR heads and FAST, you'll have damn near funded those MAST heads. Plus, LS3 intakes can be had for cheap. Sounds like a winner to me.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

I've never been impressed with LS3 heads. 225-245 cathedral port heads walk all over ported LS3s in 400cid combos. And that's where the CSA is similar and optimized for the displacement.

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

That they do!!

That's the plan. I'll just keep the throttle body.

I think someone here soon is going to post some fairly surprising results... With a 3.9" bore

Marc 85Z28

iTrader: (8)

If by surprising you mean, "wow look at all that money he spent to make the same power as a budget 5.3 head combo", then I agree.

Perhaps there is a VERY good reason why they aren't popular

The same money will get you TFS or AFR heads, and anyone would be a fool to pass those up over a ported LS3.

427zm

iTrader: (9)

You'd brighten up this thread by leaving it. Whigham is looking at something a little different, and if a cam man like Ed Curtis thinks this might be a worth while thought, maybe just, maybe there's a reason.

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

Already have AFR's. Looking to change it up. You're aware these aren't your typical ported stockers, right?

I've got a trick or two up my sleeve as well.

"'ll take 11* valve angles for added PTV clearance, Alex..."

Marc 85Z28

iTrader: (8)

What is Ed Curtis going to do that Horace Mast could not?

KCS

iTrader: (20)

I agree. Every since the first small bore LS3 heads came out years ago, I didn't think they would be popular. You can bandaid it all you want with "proprietary cam specs" or different manifolds, but you can't get around the fact that those ports are just excessive for smaller displacement engines and it's proven in the torque curve every time. Mast did a very good job on their small bores, and I feel they corrected most of the LS3 design flaws, but it's not a budget head anymore.

The LS3 heads are a good head on a "modest budget", but when you take out the "modest budget" part, there are better options.

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

Horace has Cary working for him now, for starters. Also, these aren't the old 12* L92 heads they did...

427zm

iTrader: (9)

Well, I would agree Mast could do what Ed can do, but that's not the point I was making. The point was if a highly respected and experienced LS man such as Ed or Mast think this is a valid Head for good power, and believe there is a market for it, there has to be a reason. Generally people that are interested in making money like to make products that customers will buy in order that they can make money.

I agree with Dr. Whigham here, if we can see some solid results from LS3 small bores and the pricing can be reasonable, there maybe a move away from the cathedral group think. Don't get me wrong I am currently running cathedrals, and they make good power, but there is a reason the new LT engine family is running square ports.

I truly feel the reason shops like to push cathedral heads is because they KNOW what the results will be. Since most shops aren't sure of the results of small bore LS3's they won't push them b/c of what a customer may expect. Also, they aren't sure of what cam would be good with the small bores since there is so little experience with them out there. ED is'nt scare here, and I look forward to your combo setup Dr!

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

I guess I'm a bit surprised by some of the action in here. Since when does outside the box thinking, or tinkering, been frowned upon?

Sure, there are proven "time and time again" combos out there, but I just want to try something different.

Ed Curtis

Yeah - them POS L92 heads never impress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEH6j...ature=youtu.be

427zm

iTrader: (9)

Gents, I applaud the outside the box thinking here. I look forward to the combo you put together, and the results!