jermstyle

I really need some honest and educated opinions on this…

I have already ordered the heads, but I don’t think they have been started on yet.

I have been having a hard time finding a cam that will work with the large valves and now I’m not so sure these heads are making the power the AFR heads do even though they flow better.

My mods are in my sig and just need a really stout heads and cam package that will make ~450 and like a little n2o.

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

Ive seen some pretty good numbers from AS heads and the LG cams.

jermstyle

The problem is that I can't run ANY of the LG cams with the 2.5 heads due to the 2.050 intake valve size.

I have the money to do this H/C setup, I just need to know what to get. After doing pretty extensive research, I went with the 2.5 5.3's from AS. Then I noticed some recent threads about the cc's of the heads being too large for the cubes and cam. I just need to know if this is what I should go with, or if there is something else that would make more power.

BTW, the largest cam that will fit the 2.5 heads is a XE-R 232/240 .595/.609 112+2

jrp

iTrader: (16)

with the proper combination you dont need a huge cam.

jermstyle

True... Still just want to make sure I'm getting the right parts that will all play well together.

gomer

iTrader: (13)

Exactly.. I made the numbers in the sig just last week using a cam well under 230* on the intake and exhaust.. you don't have to have a monster cam to make good power, just be sure you have all the bolt ons and a damn good tune.

jrp

iTrader: (16)

were those numbers before or after the 12 bolt install? and which grind was this, i know you had the old B1 in there and were at 420rwhp or something. got the graph of this latest one, interested in the tq curve.

jermstyle

Well you’re obviously getting pretty good velocity though those heads for the torque to be so high.

I would be very happy if I could pull some numbers like yours with my setup. I just don’t want to make 435/390 on heads & cam.

gomer

iTrader: (13)

Sent you a PM

Viper

iTrader: (6)

"I just don’t want to make 435/390 on heads & cam."

Or worse, only 385HP, 360 tq like me!!

MUSTANGEATER

iTrader: (10)

Get the best heads you can afford. Then get a camshaft to match your entire combo.

94form2000z

iTrader: (10)

Call and talk to Jay about the recent discussions on hsi port volume. Maybe he can help or at least come give comment to all of it. After all if he hasn't started your heads now would be a good time to discuss that kinda thing.

JZ'sTA

iTrader: (23)

You say you cant run any of LGs Cams and then say the biggest you can use is a 232/240 .595/.609 112+2. Do you realize that is almost the exact specs of the X2 cam?
Also why do you need a cam that big?
Your heads wont flow over 320 CFM's at 600, noone's 5.3's do. Expect between 308-318. I must say that a killer 230/236 or a 232/236 would be plenty big enough. Your compression shold be very good. Make sure you get the other boltons and a good tune. BTW you might want to consider geting rid of those cats.
A 230/236 is on the verge of not streetable for most people and if this is your daily driver then you defentially want to take that in effect.

BTW I read a post from Brian at TEA saying he didn't believe the 205 cc AFR was any better then his stage 1.5 5.3 head. We all know AS and TEA are at the top of the head porting game, therefore if TEA's 1.5 heads is as good as the ARF then AS 2.5 should be better as well.

MUSTANGEATER

iTrader: (10)

I would assume the best advantage of the AFR's are the thicker deck height and the fact that they are a better casting all together. If I were to do the AFR's and I am I'd get the bare casting and have them ported out by hand. Then have someone who knows how to build a camshaft build one for me.

jermstyle

Actually, those are the specs of the G5X2 but with only 2* of advance.
I’m thinking that with only 2* advance the cam is going to be very peaky and I’ll have to rev the snot out of the engine to make any power.

The reason I’ve started these threads is because I need help making decisions on my setup. I have been planning a heads and cam job for months and reading everything I could about cams, heads, compression etc. But when it came down to it, all I could do it order the heads and everything else is being a pain in the butt.

I have talked to Jay about all of this, and he always has good answers. But then I always have more questions and I know he’s very busy I’m trying to find answers here.

I’ve seen some people say that the AS heads were ‘the best band for the buck’. I don’t really see that being a MAJOR factor in buying these heads because the 2.5’s normal price is right up there with everyone else that makes the same level of heads. I didn’t think I was skimping when I bought these at all. I could have ordered the 2.5 LS6 heads, I just really didn’t want to spend 1200 bucks for the heads on top of the 2.6 LS6 port job for only a 10-20HP increase (so I’m told).

Like I said, my only real concern about the AS heads is the port velocity and finding a cam that will fit with the larger valves.

That also brings up the question about large cam vs. large valves?

Would it be better to have 2.050 valves and a small cam? Or a larger cam and 2.032 valves?

And as far as cams are concerned, I’m just looking for a cam that will match the heads, fit with the stock pistons (not cut) and make ~450 with the heads.

I was actually thinking about a 228/238 .595/.600 114+4

228 ‘should’ fit with 4* advance. I haven’t checked with Jay on this but it’s pretty small compared to the LG cams that will not fit.

Then you have people like MUSTANHEATER that gets the AFR’s and has then ported…

Beast96Z

iTrader: (21)

10 degrees is way to much split for a LS-1. Most are perfect at around 6, but it depends more on the heads. A head with a good exaust port and a non restrictive exaust system can get away with less. A friend of mine here in town has a set of Jays Stage 2 LS-1's cut .025". He went with a 230/236 114+4 XE-R and had huge results. This cam cleared his set-up and performed excellent with Jay's heads. The cam should clear your set-up easy as long as your heads aren't milled. Performs great on the juice to.

Brian2001SS

iTrader: (1)

Have Jay set you up with a cam. I have Jay's stg 2 5.3's and even though my numbers with my tr224 wasn't to bad, it just wasn't enough. He is having Comp make one of his custom grinds for me. 230/236 with lifts in the .575 range. This on a 114 with a little advance to bring the power curve down the rpm range a little. Call the man. He knows his **** as good as any sponsor on this board. He can set you up with the right head and cam combo.

NumberOneSled

iTrader: (1)

Doesn't Absolute Speed make 5.3's specifically for LG cams? You also might want to try a Futral cam. It seemed like a lot of people are making great power with those cams and their usually not that big I think.

JZ'sTA

iTrader: (23)

Yes a F13 would be a great choice as well.
Its a 230/232.

jermstyle

What lobes are the Futral cams on? I really like the XE-R cams from Comp.

I should have more than enough exhaust for the 346. I've got KooKs 1-7/8 SS LT's through a 3" Y into a LM cat back. I'm going to lose the cats and add an XR-1 to the LM pretty soon though. Jay has given me a few cam options and I may go with something like a 230/236 .578/.582 114+4 or something close.

Thanks for the reply everyone, this is what I was looking for.