The Black Mamba

I was wondering, would the new LS6 heads, not ported, that you order from GM be a good investment? I have the LS6 intake too. I plan on doing a 231/237 or so cam with a 100-150 shot along with it, but would these heads really gain me any power over the stock LS1 heads? I have heard they are good for 15-25whp depending on other mods, so is that worth the $500 price tag and then do nitrous once the rear is built up too? I don't really want to spend more than $500-600 on a set of heads, so should I get something better used, LS6 heads, or stick with the stockers?

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

Often with LS1's the cyl heads flow really good in stock form. Camshaft upgrades useually gain more then heads. Will you gain?? Yes. How much depends on the rest of the setup. Personally if your going to spend the $$$, I would go with a ported head, be it after market or whatever is with in the budget.

If you buy from GM it may be the same as some quality aftermarket peices.

The Black Mamba

Yeah, the LS6 heads that GM sells seemed like a pretty decent bang for the buck. I was thinking of maybe doing a 125shot, ls6 heads, and cam and being done with it, or doing 150shot with cam. I just can't justify downing $1k+ on a set of heads at the moment.

Ericbigmac83

iTrader: (19)

Yes it would help you. Is it worth it to spend a little bit more to get a new ported head or find a used one....definately

rickyracer25

iTrader: (11)

wait and save, or pull your current heads have them milled and ported for about the same. If it was me i would save and get a set of PRC 5.3L's, or PRC Ls6's heads from Texas Speed and make all the work that you are going to have to do worth the effort! But that's just me.

transAm-98

iTrader: (1)

I got a pair of stock LS6 head for $500 and slapped them on bone stock. I picked up a solid 30-35RWHP over stock my LS1 heads with very noticable gains throughout the whole powerband even off idle

The Black Mamba

That's a nice gain. In my opinion if I could get 20whp out of a pair of new stock LS6 heads I would be pleased. Was that with a custom dyno tune? I know I would be getting one fairly quickly after I did the install.

How much would those heads cost me? I have the money right now to spend 2k on heads if I have too, but I really just can't justify going over $600 or so. A lot of this is because I know sooner or later, the rear is going to go out on me and there goes $2.5k for a 9". So I would like to be prepared.

rickyracer25

iTrader: (11)

Cause you wanted to spray here you go the here you go

rickyracer25

iTrader: (11)

so even with $600 heads you still have gaskets and bolts, tune, antifreeze and oil. you are still looking at about $1200. That's it you do all the labor yourself. so really for another 300- I would rather put 50+ rwhp instead of 30 rwhp. Trans-am 98 I think why you saw those kind of gains in due to the fact that you have the poorer flowing 98 heads. I really would doubt seeing more then 15-20 rwhp on a 01-02 car due to the fact that you not only drop compression, the 241 casting a really close in flow.

Jason 98 TA

iTrader: (4)

You should see about 12-15rwhp from the LS6 heads. If your going to spend the money you might look at a stage 1 ls6 or maybe a stage 1.5 5.3l head. We sell the stage 1.5 5.3l head for $950 with stock springs! That combo would WAY out flow the stock ls6 & gain a solid 45+rwhp!

sidewayz28

iTrader: (24)

ive got some used stock LS6 heads im going to install next week along with a 90/90 set up.. i just picked up the heads locally. i too will prob run a nitrous shot in the future. i was just looking for a budget head to give me some better flow

LITE SPD

iTrader: (2)

27hp and 27tq picked up with 243 cast unported heads. I think the $500 was worth that. Its hard to get that kind of power with these cars for only $500 to $700.

eamador11

do it right the first time...port them stage 2 job!

The Black Mamba

Do you need the competition valve job, and would the springs that come with it be good for a cam 230/236 .592/.602 112 LSA or would I need the 918s? I would do the mods myself, although I don't have huge experience, a couple of my friends who know cars a lot better than I do are going to help.

rickyracer25

iTrader: (11)

You'll need the 918's at least or the duals

sidewayz28

iTrader: (24)

my 918s are working good with my .595/.598 lift, so far