hlaalu

iTrader: (3)

I have some 243 heads, I'm going to have them disassembled and cleaned by a machinist out here, should I get them milled too? If so, how much? I plan on getting a 228r cam. Also, if I get the comp 918 springs, do I need new retainers or can I use the stock ones? Thanks!

LS1Adam84

iTrader: (21)

You should get new retainers they should come with the springs as a kit. You have to go to the shop and ask them how much they charge for milling, no one person on here can tell you what a certain shop will charge, I have heard around $80 is the average but thats neither here nor there.

hlaalu

iTrader: (3)

lol no I'm asking how much to mill off, I already have the prices for everything

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

Couple of things I would do.
1) Get a nice set of dual springs like PRC duals, that way if you want to change cams to a larger/higher lift cam you don't have to change your springs. A set of Patriot Golds is only ~250 with retainers, locks, and seats.
2) Decide for sure whether you are going to stay NA or if you might want to add a small amount of boost in the future. You don't want to mill the heads and have high compression if you are planning on going FI. If you don't get them milled, you can at least get them skimmed to ensure the deck of the heads are completely flat.

Ryne @ CMS

iTrader: (10)

if your keeping it NA for the future, i would mill them .030" i would also run a good dual spring like the patriot golds or prc golds, i have had nothing but problems with 918's

hlaalu

iTrader: (3)

Thanks guys. Car is going to be n/a

jsteele90

iTrader: (13)

talk to richard at WCCH for your heads, wish i would of take n his advice on my heads before i put them on

hlaalu

iTrader: (3)

will just putting on these heads without getting them milled raise my compression?

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

This is what I got from a quick search:
Stock is 66.67cc for an LS1 head and 64.43cc for an LS6 head.

Same search stated that you'll get a ~0.30 CR increase.

I wouldn't throw the heads on unmilled and unported unless the stock heads had to come off for some reason, otherwise I think it won't be worth it. I took my heads to WCCH for porting, it's not that expensive.

h8tulooze

iTrader: (2)

I did a mild port job on mine and Im going to have a valve job done. They will mill just slighty to make sure a flat surface and a good seal to the block. Stock 243's make 10.5 to 1 comp., if you mill them to much you will need to run better octane. Under 11-1 and you cna run pump gas.

hlaalu

iTrader: (3)

Here goes my wallet... how much does a mild porting job cost for these heads?

tripblackls1

iTrader: (11)

cheapest i have seen with decent work is about 600$ but i would spend the extra $ to have wcch do them they do amazing work and well a port job really can only be done once so you might as well have them done right!

hlaalu

iTrader: (3)

Well let me ask you guys this. I'm looking to make around 400rwhp. Would I do this with a 228r and these 243s unported? I have all the other bolt ons, long tubes, ls6 intake, etc.

h8tulooze

iTrader: (2)

Unported and that cam might get you 400.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

Save up for the porting man. You really don't want to go through the effort of swapping the heads and not get the most out of it....

hitmanws6

iTrader: (20)

LS1 Adam is a testament to what this cam can do in the right car, you should be right around 400 unported, but if you can afford to port the heads do it

hlaalu

iTrader: (3)

Well I'm trying to get all this stuff done by xmas, I still need to buy the cam, the goodies with that, and then pay for a tune. $600 will set me back a bit, by that time I'll be in the military and won't even be able to use my car. I'm gunna go unported for now.

hlaalu

iTrader: (3)

And I'm just about to order the patriot gold springs for another $250~

KILLER-LS1

iTrader: (18)

to answer your original question, you can use stock retainers on 918 springs

I also agree, go to WCCH and talk to richard, he'll set you up. He did a beautiful CNC on my heads.