BIGDRAGON

iTrader: (9)

I need to know what to look when buying used 243 heads, I'm a rookie when it comes down to looking at heads. Any good info. would be awesome.

BIGDRAGON

iTrader: (9)

lot's of lookers but nobody wanna chime in.

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

First make sure that "243" is actually casted in the head on top.. I would try and find some from an early Z06 Corvette. They had hollow intake valves and sodium filled exhaust valves. After purchasing some I would take them to a machine shop for a refresh and milling to ensure a good seal.

BIGDRAGON

iTrader: (9)

This particular heads 243's are from a 2005 Vette with 48k miles untouch,but I have not seen them in person.

3rdCoastPowerSports

iTrader: (5)

have them pressure tested and checked for straightness when you get them. when buying a set of heads look at the combustion chambers and make sure they aren't all tore up from a valve breaking off and smacking around. Look at the valve seats and make sure they aren't gouged and nicked up. Look at the deck of the heads (where the head mates to the block), look for big gauges or nicks that may need alot of milling to clean up. In all honestly when purchasing a used set of heads you should at the very least have them pressure tested ($50), will probably need to have the decks cleaned up ($50) and might even need a valve job ($150) if the seats are tore up. You should factor all that into your purchasing decision

also not all the 243 vette heads have the hollow valves, just the Z06 came with them. so if the heads aren't off a Z06 they have the heavier valves

BIGDRAGON

iTrader: (9)

Good info. So what you saying is not worth buying 243 heads unless they come off a Z06.

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

No its absolutley worth it. getting a set from an 02-04 z06 just gives you better valves that are a little lighter and better suited for high rpm use. The heads themselves flow better than any stock ls1 head and are usually good for an extra 20-25hp over a stock ls1 head so for the money its a pretty good mod as long as you have your old heads off anyway

Mr.L88

iTrader: (1)

I think the whole ZO6 243 only thing is over rated. Hollow valves are lighter; but plenty of power has been made from LS2's and other solid stem valves. That depends a lot on the end use and rpm. Keep in mind that the pressure test is not a bad idea; but will not show all defects. A crack or flaw in the non coolant containing areas will not show up. Flatness check is also something to consider. If the heads need milled they need milled; but if they don't, don't do it. I am going to be putting a couple of sets up in the next week that might interest you if the ones you are looking at don't meet your needs. One set is bone stock LS2 and the other is TSP CNC ported. Sorry for the shameless plug.

BIGDRAGON

iTrader: (9)

This guy is asking $350 for the set,I wanna look at them.

2QuikTA

On this same subject, anybody have experience with the 243/799 heads on ebay? There is really only 2-3 sellers that always have a set up for ~$350.

TA6spdRDC

iTrader: (2)

I got mine from bding on ebay. valve job (probably didn't need it) and milled. They work great!

bullish

05 vette has ls2 different bore

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

The 243/799 are used in everything from 4.8 trucks to ls2 6.0 c6 and gto. Only the 5.7 ls1 z06 got to use the hollow sodium filled valves.
I personally would have the heads checked and milled before install on my own motor and even more so if it's for a customer.

3rdCoastPowerSports

iTrader: (5)

That doesn't have anything to do with the 243 heads. 243 head is a 243 head weither it came off a 5.7 or 6.0

99 PROBLEMS

iTrader: (47)

i bought a set for $250 w/ 3k miles... off a 03 Z06. the casting below the spark plug location is "V'ed" from what i'm told & read, theose are the "best" 243 heads...FWIW.

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

Your absolutely right.. who cares about the longevity in the valvetrain. We might as well put the heaviest valves in there even if they make the same power

dodson55

iTrader: (18)

I wont run the 243 hollow stem valves to may breaking causing the entire engine to become a pile of scrap metal a few hp is not worth the risk to me

Mr.L88

iTrader: (1)

My point was for the guy not to skip out on a good deal just because the heads have solid stem valves. Hollow stem would be nice to have; but I would rather have a set of low hour LS2 heads with solid stems than a set of high hour LS6 with hollow. IF both were the same condition and shape I would choose hollow.

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

If there are valves breaking then there is not enough PTV or the valvetrain geometry is incorrect. A valve head doesn't just snap off because its tired. Plenty of solid valve have broke too.

dodson55

iTrader: (18)

when the ls6 were still under gm warranty I personally seen two at the local gm dealer that snapped on bone stock cars that gm was paying to fix I have also seen one ls7 do it so far if u do a search u will find that lost of people have had it happen on stock cars to each there own but I would not use them on my own engine that is why I bought ls2 heads and not ls6