redtan

iTrader: (5)

As I'm waiting for the parts to my build, I'm sitting here stewing over all the head options available. Been going back and forth between keeping my existing TEA ported 243s and just tossing a nice big lightweight valve in there vs. selling these and going with a budget aftermarket casting.

For a little more money as 2.08 turned down LS3 valves in the current heads I can get some TFS 220s or PRC 225s. Comparing even just the 2.04 valved TEA heads to those the flow numbers are better all over the place, so I can only imagine the bigger valve would be even better (on a 4" bore). But I don't want to get stuck on just flow numbers.

Question is, would the 243 heads even benefit from that large of a valve? Or do I give up the lightweight big valve for a heavier smaller valve but in a better cast head with improved valve angle.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

If you're going with TFS stuff, you can get the turned down LS3 valves in any of those heads from TEA or Tooley. So that won't be an issue.

The port work on the TEA 243s is really good, though, so I'm not sure you're going to pick up more than 10HP even on a big cube motor. Remember, Hot Rod did a test with a 239/247 LSL cam in a 416 and the TFS 235 and TEA 243s were like within 5 HP of each other. And the TEAs had smaller valves.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

That's true, but after spending $1700 for the heads then adding $300+ for the new valves that's over 2 grand which is pushing into CNC'd TFS/AFR territory.

I wanted to keep these relatively close in price, which is why I stuck with $1700 budget TFS vs. ported 243 castings with new valves.

KCS

iTrader: (20)

Tough decision. I like the 243 option better, but the TFS head could be a starting point to improve upon in the future with the bigger light weight valves, porting, etc.

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

Take a look at the prc AS cast 225 heads! We have had great results over stock castings and they come in right at the same price point. I picked up 30rwhp over my stock 243s with the as cast 225s!

redtan

iTrader: (5)

If the gained 30rwhp over stock 243s, how would they compare to the as cast TFS 220 or CNC'd 243s?

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

They'd be down some. Even AFR 205s routinely picked up 40rwhp over 243s. TFS 215s are more like 50rwhp.

The As-Cast TFS are down a bit to the 215s, but with Tooley's hand porting they are pretty much right there. Then add in the PM guides, LS3 valves, and it comes out to $2200. Which is still less than the TFS 215s. Once you add PM guides to them they are up over $2600.

The TEA 243s aren't giving up much if they are the newer version with the TFS 215 valve job.

Mamo offers lightweight hollow-stem valves for the AFR 215... but Mamofying puts them well over $3000. Well well over.

The PRC 227s for $2300 or so are a nice buy and are right there with TFS 215s, but not having the lighter valve options takes them down a notch in my book.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

When did they start a "newer" version? These were done in early 2011.

Although I assume if I have the heads re-valved with bigger valves they would have to re-do the valve job and thus get the newer version of it.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

I think it was 2009. Ask Mike@TEA. He told me the difference between the stock valve 243 "Stage 1" and the 2.04" Valve "Stage 2" was like 5-7HP.

Truthfully, I'd just run what you have. It's a good head. I'd only swap if you needed to wildly change your compression DOWN. Like you had 60cc chambers and it was going onto a 408 or 427. You might want TFS 235s or 245s with 70cc chambers then.

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

I agree that a fully cnc ported aftermarket casting would make more then our as cast but I have never seen the TFS as cast heads make that much power over a stock 241 let alone a 243. After pouring an extra 900 dollars you can pick up similar power. 1700 or 2600?