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Forged LS2: which heads for boost

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Old Nov 9, 2018 | 04:12 PM
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Default Forged LS2: which heads for boost

Hey guys,

Building a forged bottom end LS2 stock bore for 364ci. Im keeping everything from the previous setup (ls1) which includes the D1SC, fast 92, 93 pump plus meth, exhaust etc. Most likely going with a brute speed cam on the new set up. So heres my dillema, i can keep the 243 heads i currently have which a cncd and milled .30 for 60cc (2.08/1.57 manley race flos) and run head studs with the d1sc maxed out around 13-15 psi (compression ends up being 9.9ish or i can buy AFR mongoose 230cc heads 62cc and compression comes out around 9.5. I ll be using diamond -13.7cc pistons as i want to keep the stock bore. Also before anyone asks, im really not interested in making the switch to the ls3 heads/intake combo so lets keep it to the cathedral head discussion. Do you guys think there are nominal benefits from going to the aftermarket castings? The goal is 750-800 rwhp.
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Old Nov 9, 2018 | 07:47 PM
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Do you know how well your 243 cnd ported heads flow? Some of the better ones flow really close to the Mongoose 230 heads. At 16 psi you won't have to worry about the GM heads lifting, if you were running the D-1X or an F-1A at a higher boost level then I'd say to go with the AFR heads for sure. Bob
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Old Nov 9, 2018 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob@BruteSpeed
Do you know how well your 243 cnd ported heads flow? Some of the better ones flow really close to the Mongoose 230 heads. At 16 psi you won't have to worry about the GM heads lifting, if you were running the D-1X or an F-1A at a higher boost level then I'd say to go with the AFR heads for sure. Bob
Hey bob,

I bought them used and was told that they flow benched around 320 on the intake (at that time they were milled .015). I took them to the machine shop to have them run through, new valves, seats etc then taken down an additional .015. Im not sure how much the additional milling would impact flow but suspect they would probably still flow around 300 near .600 lift. I really wouldnt mind keeping them as its probably an additional $350 to have them cleaned up again and reused as opposed to the AFR 230s which id have to buy aftermarket rockers for. Down the road if the head unit needs replacing i will probably go with the F1A but basically you think with the current setup and your cam will work well with the 243 heads?
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Old Nov 9, 2018 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Formula934
Hey bob,

I bought them used and was told that they flow benched around 320 on the intake (at that time they were milled .015). I took them to the machine shop to have them run through, new valves, seats etc then taken down an additional .015. Im not sure how much the additional milling would impact flow but suspect they would probably still flow around 300 near .600 lift. I really wouldnt mind keeping them as its probably an additional $350 to have them cleaned up again and reused as opposed to the AFR 230s which id have to buy aftermarket rockers for. Down the road if the head unit needs replacing i will probably go with the F1A but basically you think with the current setup and your cam will work well with the 243 heads?
I think it would work real well for you with your heads. Many years ago at the old shop we built a customer's Corvette adding forged rods and pistons to his LS1, had a small cam to pass emissions in it, Patriot heads, shorty headers with cats and a D-1SC at 16 psi. it made 740 whp on our Mustang Chassis Dyno. Had a larger blower cam been used, and long tube headers it would of made more power. Bob
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Old Nov 9, 2018 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob@BruteSpeed
I think it would work real well for you with your heads. Many years ago at the old shop we built a customer's Corvette adding forged rods and pistons to his LS1, had a small cam to pass emissions in it, Patriot heads, shorty headers with cats and a D-1SC at 16 psi. it made 740 whp on our Mustang Chassis Dyno. Had a larger blower cam been used, and long tube headers it would of made more power. Bob
Sounds good. Thats all im looking for really power wise. I dug out the specs from the previous owner 310 and 220 @600 lift. I ll get with you bob at some point when im ready to order the cam. I think im still waiting on the aster bracket too i ordered. Im not sure if both the cam and the bracket are sourced from different places but you can ship them together when the time comes. Im in no rush really (spring time project)
-jeff g
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Old Nov 9, 2018 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Formula934
Sounds good. Thats all im looking for really power wise. I dug out the specs from the previous owner 310 and 220 @600 lift. I ll get with you bob at some point when im ready to order the cam. I think im still waiting on the aster bracket too i ordered. Im not sure if both the cam and the bracket are sourced from different places but you can ship them together when the time comes. Im in no rush really (spring time project)
-jeff g
They do come from different places Jeff. Judging by the order date, your bracket should be shipping soon. Thanks. Bob
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Old Nov 9, 2018 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob@BruteSpeed
They do come from different places Jeff. Judging by the order date, your bracket should be shipping soon. Thanks. Bob
Awesome!
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Old Nov 10, 2018 | 05:29 PM
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Heads will yield power everywhere, aftermarket will be better castings, thicker deck. If they are in your budget, then there are no real downsides.

But it is also well proven, pretty much any LS heads will still allow good power.
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Old Nov 10, 2018 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by stevieturbo
Heads will yield power everywhere, aftermarket will be better castings, thicker deck. If they are in your budget, then there are no real downsides.

But it is also well proven, pretty much any LS heads will still allow good power.
Theres not a whole lot of data out there in terms of stock cube ls2s with (stock or aftermarket heads) on a maxxed out d1sc with higher compression. Ive been looking around for dyno #s but most ls2 builds are 400+ cubes. If anyone has any please feel free to share.
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