firehawk68mcleod

iTrader: (2)

Oh i threw a rod out the side of my block about a year ago. I purchased a 2001 firehawk engine and m6 with 75,000 on it and i finally have time to do the swap. But before i do the swap, i was thinking of putting a set of 243 heads i have sitting on the shelf. I dont want to cam it, i wanna keep it fairly stock for drivability. What power gains will i achieve with just the 243 heads on the 5.7? Its also my understanding that this engine has the ls6 intake. let me know thanks

PREDATOR-Z

Head swap is worth around 15hp

Sales4@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (4)

We see an average of around 15rwhp from bolting a set of 243 heads on over stock LS1 heads.

firehawk68mcleod

iTrader: (2)

Good deal thanks guys. I head you can put a cam in these engines with out pulling the heads, is this true? I might do a cam later along with a ls2 chain later if i get board lol. I also have a set of ls2 lifters and treys that ill probably throw on the ls1. I heard some early ls1s had issues with lifters, idk how true that is?

Sales4@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (4)

Yes sir you can do a cam with out pulling the heads on these motors, you just have to make sure you keep the lifters from falling in the oil pan when you take the cam out. I would say the issue with lifters just stems from them being old at this point. A lot of people change to a newer style LS7 lifter to have a fresh set in there. You are required to pull the heads to change the lifters though.

firehawk68mcleod

iTrader: (2)

I get a gm discount, do you have any preference on which factory gaskets i use for the 243 head swap? I used the ls9 gaskets on my procharged car

wildcamaro

iTrader: (15)

I always use GM mls gaskets...summit has a pretty good deal on a GM performance head swap kit with head,intake,exhaust gaskets head bolts, etc...some people use felpro but I'm a stickler for GM especially on head gaskets which you can get for 50 a pair alone

KH504

iTrader: (3)

I put AI ported 243 heads on my car with the stock cam and made 353 rwhp and 355tq with a stalled auto if that helps you.

firehawk68mcleod

iTrader: (2)

What are the runner on those ported heads

derrickman05

iTrader: (4)

Wow now would be a great time to do anything. I'm sitting here thinking about being hunched over doing my heads and cam swap

gencom

lol....

KH504

iTrader: (3)

its their 226 head

wildcamaro

iTrader: (15)

Yea h/c swap always calls for a bottle of ibprofen

Sales4@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (4)

We would probably go back with the GM MLS head gasket for that motor. GM part #12498544.