Possum Boggs

iTrader: (19)

theres so many castng numbers to choose from,can someone please give me a list of LS head casting numbers that are popular,thanks!

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

It depends on the short-block you intend to run. If it's an LS1/LS6 block, one of if not the best GM castings to run is the LS2/LS6 casting number 799 or 243. Of course when you get into a 4.0"+ bore you can start running the LS3/L92 head combos and that opens numerous other options.

Possum Boggs

iTrader: (19)

i have a 98 ls1 shortblock

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

Then the 243 and 799 castings would be the two best to look for for an NA or nitrous setup!

As a note, you will have to switch over to the center-bolt valve covers and coil brackets if/when you find some of these to run.

Possum Boggs

iTrader: (19)

k thanks alot!

Possum Boggs

iTrader: (19)

are the 243's better than the 799's,i just won a set of 243's on ebay

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

The 243's have a sodium filled (lighter weight) exhaust valves, whereas the 799's were a regular solid valve. If they are in good shape and you got them for under $500, you did alright. If you got them for under $400, you did very well. Under $300, WAY TO GO!!

Possum Boggs

iTrader: (19)

i got them for 400$ yay me hahah,now just need to gtet some port work,can you mill those or is that a bad idea?

socal

iTrader: (1)

ported 4.8l/5.3l are better in an n/a, nitrous setup in my opinion.

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

The amount you can mill depends on the valves used, valvejob, short-block, cam specs, gasket, etc. Whoever ports them can make the recommendation when you're ready!

Ever back to backed the 5.3L heads with an LS6? Stock for stock, and apples to apples, ported vs ported, the LS6's make better peak and average power.

studderin

iTrader: (28)

GM 090 are teh badass. I hear a local has some 19201806 that should do well

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

Agreed, the C5R/DR stuff is awesome, but out of reach (availability and total involved price) for the average guy starting a new thread on here looking for advice.

NVR_SPDS

iTrader: (39)

Remember not all the 243s have the lightweight valves. Its only the ZO6 heads that do. 243s come on a lot of different engines.

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

Indeed, it slipped my mind but you are correct! Thanks.

garygnu

also consider getting a good valve job.

Possum Boggs

iTrader: (19)

whats a good price to pay for a valve job?

studderin

iTrader: (28)

what they want to charge is a good price.

I think retail bad *** guys guys charge $250 up to 350, that knows what there doing on the head, and valves. And would like to blend it for 1-2hours labor 75-$200.

Or normal rebuild shops "3 angle" VJ for $200, with a generic cutter they bang out 90% of the head the come in the door with. And their upgrade is to port the head for $500-$800.

The rebuild shops VJ will be up or DOWN 5whp, (10-20whp over stock LS1 heads, remember 799/243 will gain 15-20 untouched) and the full port will up another 10. The good VJ unported will be 20-30, I hear some 40+ unported blended

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

The ones that have AFR stamped on the face of the heads.