View Poll Results: AI 226cc ported 243s or Tony Mamo ported 243s
AI's CNC Ported 226cc 243 Heads
22
61.11%
Tony Mamo (AFR) CNC & Hand ported 243 Heads
8
22.22%
Either way. Both will be just as good
6
16.67%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll
AI 243 Heads, LS6 intake, P&P Shaner TB, Pfadt Headers, What Cam???
11-12-2013, 11:44 AM
#1
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AI 243 Heads, LS6 intake, P&P Shaner TB, Pfadt Headers, What Cam??? Preface: I have a 97' C5 Vette with the first year LS1 (early style). 6 speed 56K miles.
I'm collecting parts for my winter/spring upgrades. So far I have a Vararam intake on the car and have sitting in the shop waiting for the upgrades....
LS6 Intake
Shaner ported/polished throttlebody
07' 243 heads off a 5.3L 12K miles
Still need to buy the Pfadt Tri-Y headers (1 3/4" or 1 7/8"?)
I've decided to do this right and send the 243 heads to Advanced Induction for CNC porting. I will also have them match up a cam for me and buy it as a package from them. Question is what cam?
I'm in California so have to pass emissions testing. I know I may need to pull the headers off for testing but will figure that out when the time comes.
I want power down low. Not planning to rev it over 6K. Hell, not sure it's ever been over 5K!!! Just don't trust it. But love spirited driving. Breaking the tires loose out of a turn. Problem is the car stock is a dog so I'm looking to fix that.
Got a reply from Advanced Induction this morning.
With the 243 head 226cc CNC porting they suggested 2 cams.
First is a 224/236 -115 ,610/.605
Second mentioned was a 218 degree on 117 lsa
Mentioned I would end up in the 430-460rwhp
I'm clueless on cams. I want a cammed car sound. Still want good street manners in traffic and long road trips.
Be able to run and pass California emissions with and without headers.
The quote includes,
CNC head porting and valve job/milling
Cam and new springs
Lifters and trays
Timing chain
ARP head bolt kit
Comp Cams trunion upgrade kit
Ported LS6 oil pump
$2587 shipped
Any thoughts on the cams?
I'm collecting parts for my winter/spring upgrades. So far I have a Vararam intake on the car and have sitting in the shop waiting for the upgrades....
LS6 Intake
Shaner ported/polished throttlebody
07' 243 heads off a 5.3L 12K miles
Still need to buy the Pfadt Tri-Y headers (1 3/4" or 1 7/8"?)
I've decided to do this right and send the 243 heads to Advanced Induction for CNC porting. I will also have them match up a cam for me and buy it as a package from them. Question is what cam?
I'm in California so have to pass emissions testing. I know I may need to pull the headers off for testing but will figure that out when the time comes.
I want power down low. Not planning to rev it over 6K. Hell, not sure it's ever been over 5K!!! Just don't trust it. But love spirited driving. Breaking the tires loose out of a turn. Problem is the car stock is a dog so I'm looking to fix that.
Got a reply from Advanced Induction this morning.
With the 243 head 226cc CNC porting they suggested 2 cams.
First is a 224/236 -115 ,610/.605
Second mentioned was a 218 degree on 117 lsa
Mentioned I would end up in the 430-460rwhp
I'm clueless on cams. I want a cammed car sound. Still want good street manners in traffic and long road trips.
Be able to run and pass California emissions with and without headers.
The quote includes,
CNC head porting and valve job/milling
Cam and new springs
Lifters and trays
Timing chain
ARP head bolt kit
Comp Cams trunion upgrade kit
Ported LS6 oil pump
$2587 shipped
Any thoughts on the cams?
11-12-2013, 12:00 PM
#2
I think if your 243's came off a 5.3L they are off a LS4 motor and if so they have smaller valves than other 243's would factory. same port design however.
So unless you're having new valves tossed in with that quote you're seriously shortchanging the performance of the head itself.
All of AI's cams are on a wider LSA...at first that threw me for a serious loop...the first cam sounds rockin but most people would run that on a 111-112 LSA. AI does know their heads better than anyone and if they say X cam will work best with X head...i'm almost inclined to believe them...however i'd still call a couple places to see what they say about a custom or off-the-shelf cam for that application....
Trunion upgrade is good
LS6 pump good
ARP stuff good
everything else looks like you're on the right track...
So unless you're having new valves tossed in with that quote you're seriously shortchanging the performance of the head itself.
All of AI's cams are on a wider LSA...at first that threw me for a serious loop...the first cam sounds rockin but most people would run that on a 111-112 LSA. AI does know their heads better than anyone and if they say X cam will work best with X head...i'm almost inclined to believe them...however i'd still call a couple places to see what they say about a custom or off-the-shelf cam for that application....
Trunion upgrade is good
LS6 pump good
ARP stuff good
everything else looks like you're on the right track...
11-12-2013, 12:18 PM
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My research on the heads before I bought them is that all 243 heads, whether they came off a 5.3L, LS2, LS6.... all had the same size valves. Only difference is the LS6 hollow and sodium filled valves. Same size though. Same combustion chambers as well. So no worries there.
The cams they spec'd were so that my car can pass Cali emissions so maybe that's why the cam specs seem off to you???
The cams they spec'd were so that my car can pass Cali emissions so maybe that's why the cam specs seem off to you???
11-12-2013, 12:31 PM
#5
I doubt 430rwhp with this cam: 218 degree on 117 lsa. The 224/236 probably would tho.
But if you want power below 6000, keep the IVC at 38 or less. Not knowing the IVC of the 218 on a 117, it would have to have 8 degrees of advance to get there. I would advise against that...
I would suggest a 217/226 111+2 using AI lobes. It would pass emissions and make power where you want it. And drive fine.
But if you want power below 6000, keep the IVC at 38 or less. Not knowing the IVC of the 218 on a 117, it would have to have 8 degrees of advance to get there. I would advise against that...
I would suggest a 217/226 111+2 using AI lobes. It would pass emissions and make power where you want it. And drive fine.
11-13-2013, 08:50 AM
#7
Off topic, but how do you like the pfadt headers? They look freaking amazing.
Edit nm, you haven't purchased them yet. I don't think you need such a wide split for those heads. I used those heads before and made over 460 with a 226/230 cam and backed it up with a 125 mph trap speed at the track.
Edit nm, you haven't purchased them yet. I don't think you need such a wide split for those heads. I used those heads before and made over 460 with a 226/230 cam and backed it up with a 125 mph trap speed at the track.
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11-13-2013, 11:41 AM
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Off topic, but how do you like the pfadt headers? They look freaking amazing.
Edit nm, you haven't purchased them yet. I don't think you need such a wide split for those heads. I used those heads before and made over 460 with a 226/230 cam and backed it up with a 125 mph trap speed at the track.
Edit nm, you haven't purchased them yet. I don't think you need such a wide split for those heads. I used those heads before and made over 460 with a 226/230 cam and backed it up with a 125 mph trap speed at the track.
11-13-2013, 12:42 PM
#10
It sounds like the 2nd cam they recommended to you was for smog, so I would go for that one.
11-13-2013, 04:36 PM
#11
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My tuner said to listen to AI and go with that cam. Said it will pass and give me a good idle and drivability. Street manners. But is guessing around 400rwhp with my early LS1 short block.
And I spent too much time painting my LS6 intake, fuel rail covers, and air bridge to not use it. Plus I kinda feel that Fast intakes know they own the market and take advantage of it with their pricing.
And I spent too much time painting my LS6 intake, fuel rail covers, and air bridge to not use it. Plus I kinda feel that Fast intakes know they own the market and take advantage of it with their pricing.
11-13-2013, 07:47 PM
#13
I know I'll probably get bashed for this but I went with an AI cam and I'm not happy. Phil said my car should easily make 450whp and came nowhere close (sig). Phil wouldn't give me a straight answer to anything I asked and turned into a jerk really quick after he realized no more money was coming his way from me.
Phil thinks you can throw a little more duration and lift in a cam and it will magically make more power. He's obviously wrong. I don't think he knows much about cams but that's my opinion (as all of this is).
I would say you should go with a cam that has proven itself to make good power. There's a reason everyone uses AI heads with someone else's cam. I found out why first hand. If you do go with AI, hopefully you have a better experience than I did.
+100. I think FAST intakes just don't have a very good power/$$ ratio. Yes they make power but you pay dearly for the little they give you on a 346
Phil thinks you can throw a little more duration and lift in a cam and it will magically make more power. He's obviously wrong. I don't think he knows much about cams but that's my opinion (as all of this is).
I would say you should go with a cam that has proven itself to make good power. There's a reason everyone uses AI heads with someone else's cam. I found out why first hand. If you do go with AI, hopefully you have a better experience than I did.
+100. I think FAST intakes just don't have a very good power/$$ ratio. Yes they make power but you pay dearly for the little they give you on a 346
11-14-2013, 11:53 AM
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I know I'll probably get bashed for this but I went with an AI cam and I'm not happy. Phil said my car should easily make 450whp and came nowhere close (sig). Phil wouldn't give me a straight answer to anything I asked and turned into a jerk really quick after he realized no more money was coming his way from me.
Phil thinks you can throw a little more duration and lift in a cam and it will magically make more power. He's obviously wrong. I don't think he knows much about cams but that's my opinion (as all of this is).
I would say you should go with a cam that has proven itself to make good power. There's a reason everyone uses AI heads with someone else's cam. I found out why first hand. If you do go with AI, hopefully you have a better experience than I did.
+100. I think FAST intakes just don't have a very good power/$$ ratio. Yes they make power but you pay dearly for the little they give you on a 346
Phil thinks you can throw a little more duration and lift in a cam and it will magically make more power. He's obviously wrong. I don't think he knows much about cams but that's my opinion (as all of this is).
I would say you should go with a cam that has proven itself to make good power. There's a reason everyone uses AI heads with someone else's cam. I found out why first hand. If you do go with AI, hopefully you have a better experience than I did.
+100. I think FAST intakes just don't have a very good power/$$ ratio. Yes they make power but you pay dearly for the little they give you on a 346
11-14-2013, 02:42 PM
#15
I know I'll probably get bashed for this but I went with an AI cam and I'm not happy. Phil said my car should easily make 450whp and came nowhere close (sig). Phil wouldn't give me a straight answer to anything I asked and turned into a jerk really quick after he realized no more money was coming his way from me.
Phil thinks you can throw a little more duration and lift in a cam and it will magically make more power. He's obviously wrong. I don't think he knows much about cams but that's my opinion (as all of this is).
I would say you should go with a cam that has proven itself to make good power. There's a reason everyone uses AI heads with someone else's cam. I found out why first hand. If you do go with AI, hopefully you have a better experience than I did.
+100. I think FAST intakes just don't have a very good power/$$ ratio. Yes they make power but you pay dearly for the little they give you on a 346
Phil thinks you can throw a little more duration and lift in a cam and it will magically make more power. He's obviously wrong. I don't think he knows much about cams but that's my opinion (as all of this is).
I would say you should go with a cam that has proven itself to make good power. There's a reason everyone uses AI heads with someone else's cam. I found out why first hand. If you do go with AI, hopefully you have a better experience than I did.
+100. I think FAST intakes just don't have a very good power/$$ ratio. Yes they make power but you pay dearly for the little they give you on a 346
Last edited by 99Bluz28; 11-14-2013 at 08:35 PM.
11-14-2013, 03:08 PM
#17
There is no way 224/236 is passing smog even on a 115. Tick performance makes smog friendly cams I would go with one of them. Cathedral heads aren't as sensitive to valve events as much as the square port heads. You can't really go wrong with any of the off the shelf cams in a cathedral setup, IMO.
http://www.tickperformance.com/tick-...1-ls6-engines/
That is what i would go with. That's a really nice street cam that will pass smog.
http://www.tickperformance.com/tick-...1-ls6-engines/
That is what i would go with. That's a really nice street cam that will pass smog.
11-14-2013, 06:37 PM
#18
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I drive the car so now and then I get in traffic. I might hit the strip in the future once just to get a 1/4 mile time on my car. I like spirited driving. Might take it to a track when it becomes available to me.