2.02 valves and 5.3
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 814
From: Portland, OR
2.02 valves and 5.3 I’ve been thinking it would be nice to have aftermarket heads with the much thicker decks for my L33 which is turbo charged.
That along with 1/2” studs and the new BTR small bore LS9 type gaskets ought to be pretty bullet proof for sealing.
Not that I’ve had issues as it sits.
Question is, do the intake valves clear the bore?
More than a few aftermarket heads have even bigger than 2.02.
I understand that if they clear, probably affects airflow a bit, but it is a turbo motor.
Ron
That along with 1/2” studs and the new BTR small bore LS9 type gaskets ought to be pretty bullet proof for sealing.
Not that I’ve had issues as it sits.
Question is, do the intake valves clear the bore?
More than a few aftermarket heads have even bigger than 2.02.
I understand that if they clear, probably affects airflow a bit, but it is a turbo motor.
Ron
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 31
Likes: 4
From: Russia Moscow
I’ve been thinking it would be nice to have aftermarket heads with the much thicker decks for my L33 which is turbo charged.
That along with 1/2” studs and the new BTR small bore LS9 type gaskets ought to be pretty bullet proof for sealing.
Not that I’ve had issues as it sits.
Question is, do the intake valves clear the bore?
More than a few aftermarket heads have even bigger than 2.02.
I understand that if they clear, probably affects airflow a bit, but it is a turbo motor.
Ron
That along with 1/2” studs and the new BTR small bore LS9 type gaskets ought to be pretty bullet proof for sealing.
Not that I’ve had issues as it sits.
Question is, do the intake valves clear the bore?
More than a few aftermarket heads have even bigger than 2.02.
I understand that if they clear, probably affects airflow a bit, but it is a turbo motor.
Ron
I build a lot of boosted 5.3s and use a lot of the TFS 220 heads. The LS1 version comes with a 2.04/1.57 and the LS2 comes with a 2.055/1.57, both heads work really well. Ive also started using the promaxx 245 small bore heads and order them with a 2.08/1.57 setup and they clear the 3.78 bore. I really like the promaxx. 11* valve angle and .750 deck thickness.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 814
From: Portland, OR
Excellent. Thank you!
I recognize you from YB.
As I was poking around, most are on back order. Just goes with the times I guess. This will be a winter project.
Thanks again
Ron
I recognize you from YB.
As I was poking around, most are on back order. Just goes with the times I guess. This will be a winter project.
Thanks again
Ron
I build a lot of boosted 5.3s and use a lot of the TFS 220 heads. The LS1 version comes with a 2.04/1.57 and the LS2 comes with a 2.055/1.57, both heads work really well. Ive also started using the promaxx 245 small bore heads and order them with a 2.08/1.57 setup and they clear the 3.78 bore. I really like the promaxx. 11* valve angle and .750 deck thickness.
Have you messed with or considered the 240 small bore rec port heads? Curious if they would fit with a reduced intake valve also which might open up some other intake manifold options also.
I actually have two sets on order right now, they are supposed to make a little more than the 245s. Both of those heads come with a 1.60 exhaust valve and it will NOT clear the 3.78 bore motors.
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I've been curious about the thicker decks on the aftermarket heads too. I'm currently running the CNC port PRC stage 2.5's but aren't they just ported stock castings? An engine builder friend of mine suggested going to a new head he'd found out about ,claiming they had thicker decks, so I ordered a set of those. They don't have any visibility on the internet. They seem to be a no-name head. They came with dual valve spring setups good to .660 I'm told. They were not CNC ported though, just as-cast. The engine builder said they can be ported out to flow some really great numbers. I had my 5.3 apart at the time so I thought I'd give them a try. I put them on and found they didn't allow the stock rocker stands to be installed as-is. You have to cut off the 'locator' tabs so it'll sit flush. That particular engine didn't last too long (lifter problems) so when I tore down the engine to repair all that , I just went back to the PRC stage 2.5's again.
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Verdad Gallardo So they should fit with the same 1.57" exhaust possibly unless things are moved around a bit in the chamber. Interesting option if possible.
One friend said to me, don't do nice heads on an SBE, if the motor lets loose the heads might get a lot of damage.
That said, I've been looking into small bore cathedral ports heads for my next engine (LC9 forged), and seems like the consensus is that TFS 220s are a very good bang for the buck, thicker deck and all, but not much of a power gain. Mast, Brodix heads show a power gain but are near $4K. Mark Enwia is promoting some new heads too, might be Australian castings of some sort I don't know the deck thickness but the price point is interesting.
That said, I've been looking into small bore cathedral ports heads for my next engine (LC9 forged), and seems like the consensus is that TFS 220s are a very good bang for the buck, thicker deck and all, but not much of a power gain. Mast, Brodix heads show a power gain but are near $4K. Mark Enwia is promoting some new heads too, might be Australian castings of some sort I don't know the deck thickness but the price point is interesting.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 814
From: Portland, OR
Mine isn’t an SBE.
If I bought the as cast 220’s, I’d prefer them bare, with powdered metal guides.
Any flow improvement over my ported 799’s would be a bonus.
Its a moot point now, as they simply aren’t available until sometime next year
If I bought the as cast 220’s, I’d prefer them bare, with powdered metal guides.
Any flow improvement over my ported 799’s would be a bonus.
Its a moot point now, as they simply aren’t available until sometime next year
Last edited by RonSSNova; Oct 7, 2021 at 04:17 PM.
Gotcha. Brian Tooley opined on the TFS 220s during a RealTuners podcast, and he basically said they don't show much of a power gain over a set of 243/799s, just have a thicker deck.
But Jon Capizzi (do you know of him) picked up power a set of Mast heads, pretty substantial.
But Jon Capizzi (do you know of him) picked up power a set of Mast heads, pretty substantial.
Gotcha. Brian Tooley opined on the TFS 220s during a RealTuners podcast, and he basically said they don't show much of a power gain over a set of 243/799s, just have a thicker deck.
But Jon Capizzi (do you know of him) picked up power a set of Mast heads, pretty substantial.
But Jon Capizzi (do you know of him) picked up power a set of Mast heads, pretty substantial.
So reacting to what you wrote... maybe but no? 
Sounds like Ron has a forged alum block 5.3 with stock head castings. He can somewhat cheaply get some TFS 220s, and push him combo with a bit more confidence.
For him to go 6 bolt, he'd at a minimum get an LSX block which after a bit of machining, assemtly and he'd need to get a set of 6 bolt heads too. LSX block is like $3K right now, a Dart block is more and much more for aluminum.
Going 6 bolt is usually a big jump for most folks. A buddy of mine told me the B15 crate motors used to be a hella deal in the past, like $8K.
Sounds like Ron has a forged alum block 5.3 with stock head castings. He can somewhat cheaply get some TFS 220s, and push him combo with a bit more confidence.
For him to go 6 bolt, he'd at a minimum get an LSX block which after a bit of machining, assemtly and he'd need to get a set of 6 bolt heads too. LSX block is like $3K right now, a Dart block is more and much more for aluminum.
Going 6 bolt is usually a big jump for most folks. A buddy of mine told me the B15 crate motors used to be a hella deal in the past, like $8K.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 814
From: Portland, OR
I was really just thinking about more reliability.
So after this last weekend, I think I have enough power to get near 8.50, if I don’t tip the car over in the process.
Since I have to yank the engine to fix the pan studs, I’ll just get the new small bore BTR 9 layer gaskets and call it good.
If I stumble onto something aftermarket that is used for a good price I’ll consider that.
It’s a little hard to believe that the TFS220 doesn’t outperform 799’s, unless that was assuming CNC ported 799’s. I ported mine, they have a fancy valve job, but no clue what they flow.
So after this last weekend, I think I have enough power to get near 8.50, if I don’t tip the car over in the process.
Since I have to yank the engine to fix the pan studs, I’ll just get the new small bore BTR 9 layer gaskets and call it good.
If I stumble onto something aftermarket that is used for a good price I’ll consider that.
It’s a little hard to believe that the TFS220 doesn’t outperform 799’s, unless that was assuming CNC ported 799’s. I ported mine, they have a fancy valve job, but no clue what they flow.
It's in the Real Tuners podcast when they interviewed Brian Tooley in late summer, and Jon Capizzi kind of said the same thing in a more recent RealTuners podcast... thicker deck is good stuff, but no real big power gains. I'm in the same boat as you Ron, I have 799s on my SBE and I want something better to put on my forged LC9 when the time comes. If I can get a smoking deal on TFS 220s I'll do them but if the Brodix heads are reasonable I might spring for those.
Okay so what it sounds like I'm reading is there's a middle ground between stock block/stock head setups and full tilt six bolt setups.
So for guys wanting to push the stock block stuff (forged rotator) a little farther the thicker deck TFS heads are a good compromise to promote more head gasket strength while not spending the considerable coin on a complete six bolt setup.
Is that a correct interpretation?
I'm asking because I already have the rod/piston 5.7 with CNC ported 243's so if I was to make a change I'd also consider the TFS head because a six bolt setup is not in my future anytime soon.
So for guys wanting to push the stock block stuff (forged rotator) a little farther the thicker deck TFS heads are a good compromise to promote more head gasket strength while not spending the considerable coin on a complete six bolt setup.
Is that a correct interpretation?
I'm asking because I already have the rod/piston 5.7 with CNC ported 243's so if I was to make a change I'd also consider the TFS head because a six bolt setup is not in my future anytime soon.