Let's talk heads.
 

Alright heres the deal, im working on building this ls1. These are the parts ive already selected:
EPS 236/248 cam
FAST 92/92
FAST fuel rails
42lb injectors
FTP 98 mm air lid
SSRA
TSP 1 7/8" headers
TSP TD's with sweet thunders

I already know i want to get some TEA/TFS heads, but im not sure what i want the intake runner to be. I was thinking 220cc or 215cc. Is there a bug difference between the two? or is it negligible. What i might also do is select the head and get a custom grind EPS cam. I just wanna hear some feedback on which size intake runner is better.

I could be wrong but isnt the 220 using GM cast and the 215 is TFS cnc'd heads?

Be a bit more specific, the 220 comes in an "as cast" option or a CNC option (i believe) the 215 i think only comes CNC'd. From what ive read the 220 as cast touched up by someone who knows what they are doing can out flow the 215 CNCs by a good amount. I also think the 215s are able to run stock rockers being that the guides are powdered metal and the 220s can only use aftermarket rockers with the bronze guides. Just throwing that out there.

Id personally talk to Brian tooley on here, hes ported and worked with TEA for 10 years+ i believe, if you order a set of heads through him from TEA he touches them up for you i believe in certain areas thats needed. PM him he should set you on your way, you want to find a cam and head that work well with eachother.

I was more looking into the size of the intake runner, not whether it is as-cast or CNC'd. I was curious if the 5cc difference would make or deter power

If both things equal meaning same CNC program, same company of heads then yes from what ive seen on here and read. Ask or Look at the flow bench #'s for either or and make that decision on your own. Ive seen some great results from the 220s in cast form.

The 215s are CNCd & they have bronze guides so its recommended to run roller rockers, been using YTs & they work great.

I would contact TEA and see what they say.

Thanks for the correction, i forgot which set of TFS brougth powdered metal guides as a standard.

The CNC heads are listed as 215 and 225, but their ports are bigger than that. I believe on the 215 it works out to 219 and the 225 is 229. 215 is also designed for the 3.9" bore and 225 for the 4" bore.

The "As Cast" is just the cast version of those two port programs (3.9" bore gives you the 215 chamber and the 4" bore gives you the 225 chamber). Both heads end up at a 219 and 229cc ports just like the CNC version.

I've also read that the 215 chamber is superior.

Now in terms of the difference between the $1679 TFS As Cast 220 3.9" Bore and $2379 TFS 215 is probably 10-15hp. The As Cast simply doesn't have the same level of CNC work (I believe there is some CNC work tho).

They have heavy intake valves (110g Ferrea) and have bronze guides requiring heavy over the tip roller rockers. They also come with .650" max pressure springs with 450lbs open spring pressure to control the valve and heavy rocker.

Upgrade options for both included turned down LS3 valves (83g), platinum .660" lift springs 400lbs open pressure and PM guides for stock rocker use, and hand finishing (even on the 215). All of those upgrades + the As Cast head will come in just under the TFS 215 price and make similar power and have better valvetrain control.

One other thing that's standard is the ability to run 3/8" pushrods. Brian Tooley sells a proper pushrod for only $105 for the set. Basically the cost of other hardened 5/16" pushrods. It is worth it to upgrade to the 3/8" pushrod for maximum valve control.

Actually... I started TEA in 1993, as Tooley Engine Airflow, I changed the name to Total Engine Airflow in 1996. I sold the business to Summit Racing in 2004 to help Trick Flow Specialties develop CNC programs for their heads because they didn't offer CNC ported heads at that time. We also did most of the port development for TFS. I was also heavily involved with the development of all new cylinder heads like the LS heads, 21 degree LT1 heads, and the Twisted Wedge Modular heads.

The original TFS 215 intake port was almost 219cc in volume, but the intake port was eventually revised back to 215cc. The TFS 225 is in the upper 220's as stated. The 215 and 225 both share the same exhaust port.

Both of the "As Cast" heads have the original 215 intake port (219cc) slightly enlarged to 220cc to make the "LS1" and "LS2" As Cast heads, as well as have a cast version of the CNC 215/225 exhaust port.

The As Cast LS1 head has the same exact 215 CNC chamber developed for 3.90" bores, valves and valve job as the 215 CNC heads.

The As Cast LS2 head has the same exact 225 CNC chamber developed for 4.0" bores, valves and valve job as the 225 CNC heads.

The differences in the As Cast intake ports from the original 215 CNC port is material was added around the valve guide boss to make the part machinable, and a "speed bump" was added around the pushrod hole. As this area is only about .030" thick in CNC form. The only difference in the As Cast exhaust port is the same material around the guide boss.

Once the As Cast heads are properly hand ported, which basically only entails of profiling down the guide bosses and very carefully removing the speed bump, then they are right with the CNC heads in terms of power. I've had the As Cast LS2 heads with some hand work make over 500 rwhp on a LS2, and the As Cast LS1 have made close to 500 rwhp also. They're very good bang for the buck.

There you go. I was close :)

I'm guessing you are staying with the 346 cubic inches? You cant go wrong with either size but call and talk to Mike at TEA. He can set you up with what you need. I have purchased 2 sets of heads from them and they always have first class service.