Whats better for a N/A motor?
Whats better for a N/A motor? I am looking at doing heads and a cam all at once. I was wondering which heads were better a set of 5.3 heads or some LS6 heads? Any input?
Last edited by 01transampower; Jul 10, 2011 at 10:01 PM.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
5.3 heads bump compression pretty good but have smaller valves
LS6 heads have bigger valves and only bump compression a little over LS1 heads.
LS6 head is the better performer stock hands down.
LS6 heads have bigger valves and only bump compression a little over LS1 heads.
LS6 head is the better performer stock hands down.
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: Shawnee, OK
but if your gonna buy some from texas speed id say go with the 5.3s definately. or if your not lookin to spend a ton you could be sneaky and have a machinist put your bigger valves out of your ls1 heads in the 5.3 heads
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
I think a few hundred if you are referring to the CNC'd versions. If you are talking about stock, 5.3 heads go for probably $50-100, LS6 heads will pull $400-600 a pair all day depending on mileage and condition.
Trending Topics
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: Shawnee, OK
stock 5.3 heads are dirt cheap as stated. but if your goin for some texas speed heads why not go with the 5.3s because its more compression without sacrificing ptv clearance and they flow very close to the same and at the stage 2.5 cnc level the 5.3s are a few hundred dollars cheaper and you could probably save even more by buying your own 5.3s and sending em to texas speed for them to cnc im sure there is some money to be saved using your own cores.
i know ls6 heads get the better support for whatever reason im just saying dont count the 5.3s out at all
i know ls6 heads get the better support for whatever reason im just saying dont count the 5.3s out at all
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
For a stock cube engine I would go for the ported 5.3 heads over the LS6. Both are very good but the extra compression from the smaller 5.3 chamber will make more power without sacrificing valve clearance.
I had the TSP stg 2.5 5.3 heads and swapped to the TFS 215's and there was no difference in my 1/4 mile ET. Both heads were milled to 58ccs so the CR was the same. To date my fastest pass is still from the 5.3 heads at a 10.56 and the TFS heads have got me a best of 10.58. Now the weather may have been a bit better on the 10.56 pass but the new heads have been run in some decent air too.
I am in no way discounting the TFS heads because everyone knows they are good. I am trying to point out how good the PRC heads are. Also I doubt anyone will say that the PRC LS6 heads are better than TFS and that's my main point. I have not tested the PRC 5.3's vs the LS6 but I doubt the results would be any different than my 5.3 vs TFS heads.
Everyone likes to say the LS6 heads are so much better but the truth is that for the money the 5.3's are the way to go. Bigger cubes and the LS6 heads may have an advantage but the fact is that a 346 will only pump so much air. Now if you are talking about stock for stock then go with the LS6 heads for sure.
I had the TSP stg 2.5 5.3 heads and swapped to the TFS 215's and there was no difference in my 1/4 mile ET. Both heads were milled to 58ccs so the CR was the same. To date my fastest pass is still from the 5.3 heads at a 10.56 and the TFS heads have got me a best of 10.58. Now the weather may have been a bit better on the 10.56 pass but the new heads have been run in some decent air too.
I am in no way discounting the TFS heads because everyone knows they are good. I am trying to point out how good the PRC heads are. Also I doubt anyone will say that the PRC LS6 heads are better than TFS and that's my main point. I have not tested the PRC 5.3's vs the LS6 but I doubt the results would be any different than my 5.3 vs TFS heads.
Everyone likes to say the LS6 heads are so much better but the truth is that for the money the 5.3's are the way to go. Bigger cubes and the LS6 heads may have an advantage but the fact is that a 346 will only pump so much air. Now if you are talking about stock for stock then go with the LS6 heads for sure.
Well my goal for now is to just build a 400+ horse street monster. Then after school build it how I want. So I figured get a Thunder racing 224/228 cam and some 5.3 heads or ls6 heads. But from what im hearing get some 5.3 heads and have them revalved. Would I be able to hit that goal doing this? Just as an option. New heads are out of the question do to school comes first.
Well my goal for now is to just build a 400+ horse street monster. Then after school build it how I want. So I figured get a Thunder racing 224/228 cam and some 5.3 heads or ls6 heads. But from what im hearing get some 5.3 heads and have them revalved. Would I be able to hit that goal doing this? Just as an option. New heads are out of the question do to school comes first.
