Im gonna be building an LS1 and the mods so far are:

Cam(not sure exactly which one, but it will be pretty nasty, im thinking in the 230-240/240-250 range with .600/.600+ lift)
SLP air lid
FAST 92/92
FAST fuel rails
FAST 36lb injectors
TSP 1 7/8" headers
TSP Rumbler X TD's

and im not 100% sure of the heads, and ive been told i can get custom cams to match the heads i pick, so here are the choices ive been thinking of:

PRC 2.5 ls6 heads (1600) http://www.texas-speed.com/p-4-prc-s...ted-heads.aspx
PRC 3 ls6 heads (2000) http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1177-pr...ted-heads.aspx
PRC 225cc heads (1600) http://www.texas-speed.com/p-3515-pr...ral-heads.aspx
PRC 2.5 5.3L heads (1300) http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1172-pr...ted-heads.aspx

I have no problem spending more money if the heads are going to be substantially better and make more hp. I am leaning toward the PRC stage 2.5 LS6 heads. I would just like to get some more opinions on what heads you guys use and how well they perform.

 

seen alot of people make 450+rwhp with the prc 5.3 heads .also look at the PRC 225 cast heads.what size bore are you working with?you can use your stock rockers with these heads.

 

I just swapped prc 2.5 ls6 heads to TFS 215 and gained 24rwhp I'm wondering why you didn't have AFR or TFS on your list?

 

Just cause those heads i listed are the most common ones ive seen. And the AFR ones seem kind of pricey. But thanks for the input

 

If you're not afraid to shell out the money, AFR and TFS will be your best bet. You end up seeing the PRC's and a lot of GM casts because they're more budget friendly. But if you want absolute top of the line, and can pay for it, I'd be looking into mamo-worked AFRs or CNC'd TFS from AI or someone else.

 

^^ exactly, do it once, do it right. Not saying that PRCs aren't good, they are good for the bucks, but if you'll end up spend more money later on down the road for more power might as well save now and get the best.

 

Alright well ill look into them and see if i can afford to buy them. Thanks

 

Vengeance Racing told me the best bang for the buck are the as cast TFS 220's, but I've not tried them yet

 

Look into TEA (Total Engine Airflow) Trickflow 215's. Another top of the line head. You'll need top notch heads like these if you're reaching for 500whp with a N/A 346ci LS1. You get what you pay for when it comes to cylinder heads.

 

I'm going to testify on the mamofied AFRs. I'm having other issues now, bad ones that have nothing to do with heads, but still made 420 with them on a partial tune. So my own testimony at this point is Tony Mamo is the mother-f*****g man! Doing business with him is like having a good buddy that is a leading expert in cylinder heads. You can't call what he offers "customer service.". He's got your back like a brother. I've been working with him for 9 months and I could not be any happier. Worth every single penny.

 

Good call, I forgot to mention TEA as well since I listed AI. TEA does great port work on heads too.

 

Thanks guys for the information. Ill look into other heads and see what i can afford. Quick question. Is it better to have a large or small intake runner for the cam im running? I know what it does im just not sure how big i should go or where i should be.

 

Since you don't have a cam yet. Base your cam off of the cylinder heads you get. Not the other way around.

 

I would contact Phil & Ron at AI and get a custom cam along with their 226cc LS2 243/799 Heads. I would venture away from the PRC heads. You get what you pay for.

 

Yea that was kinda the point of this thread. I want to pick the heads then call Geoff at EPS and get a custom cam to match, but i wanted to know which heads to pick for my power goals. Btw i love the quote in your sig.

 

Yea thats what ive been hearing. But i cant justify paying 500+ more dollars if im not gonna get that much more whp out of it. If it were to add 25whp+ then id probably do it. So thats my question. Will these better heads ($2,000-$2,500) add that much more hp with the size cam im running?

 

You can also check out the MAST Black Label heads. $2600 fully CNC'd and assembled though.

 

Most aftermarket heads are worth the money. I think it's an individual's pocket book that's more of a deciding factor if they're, not just worth it, but affordable. Some of the aftermarket heads would certainly give a 25whp gain over cnc'd stock castings. And remember they don't only make increased peak power gains, but increased power all throughout the rpm range. If I would of had the extra $1100-1300 in my budget at the time I did my most recent build, there's no doubt I would've gone with something like TEA or AI Trickflow 215 heads instead of cnc'd GM castings. And heck, I still went around $1300-1400 over budget going with the GM heads. Lol

 

What about the AFR 215's? http://www.texas-speed.com/p-2121-af...mber-bare.aspx
Are they significantly better than the PRC 225cc stage3? http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1387-pr...ted-heads.aspx

 

I just looked into the TEA Trick Flow 215's and they look pretty good. ( http://www.totalengineairflow.com/pr...ylinder-heads/ ) But again are they worth the extra $900? However after reading what/how the heads are made, and reading some reviews, these heads seem to be the top of the line heads.