Hi all,

I've got a bone stock LS1 sitting in my '02 WS6 with 118,000 miles on it. I have BBK long tube headers w/cat delete, magnaflow exhaust, K&N, and many suspension upgrades unrelated to my current questions. I've finally decided to upgrade and make some more horsepower. I'd like to keep the car as a daily driver but I also have a bit of experience on road courses with other cars ('01 Z06 and '95 Stealth R/T Turbo) and with my new suspension upgrades, I think my T/A is finally ready for the road course (with some extra HP added in as well).

I'm looking for anything between 400-500 HP at the flywheel for around $1,000 or less. I've done a decent amount of research but the advice I've seen given to others is all over the place. Mainly, I'd like to know if adding heads/cam will make my engine more likely to blow up or shorten its lifespan (esp. with the mileage on my car) and if so, why and what I could do to prevent this.

I'd also like to know at what point I should start to think about adding a 12 bolt rear end and if I can just get one off of a junkyard pickup or if I'd have to bite the bullet and buy a brand new moser for around $3,000? Price is a major factor and I'd really like to avoid the latter. I've checked around but I can't even seem to find used 12 bolts no matter where I check.

As far as heads are concerned, I figure that budget-wise, my best bet would be to go for LS6 heads. In old posts, I've seen people quote that they can be picked up used for about $300 and new for about $6-800. I've looked all over but haven't found anything new for close to that.

As far as installation goes, I've heard that it's pretty easy and doesn't require the engine to be lifted. If so, what would be a good quote from a mechanic be? Sorry for all the questions in one post! Any help would be much appreciated. Thank You.

 

Oh, I forgot to add...When something is advertised as "LS6 Head," does this usually mean for both sides or just one ?!?

 

I got my 243 heads for 300$ but that was from a buddy tearing them off his GTO, sometimes you get lucky and people dont know what they have just have to stay on top of the For Sale section.

 

you could get the 243 heads as usual but dont go back in there with an LS6 cam...all that work just to have another stock cam.

 

Especially if you have to pay a shop for the install.

 

Good points about the cam. I'd really have no reason to go with an LS6 cam other than the fact that it's quiet and could be offered in a combination package for a great deal with heads. My car's loud enough as it is. Preferably, I'd go with a different cam that's also quiet but makes a bit more power.

 

im sure many vendors on here could spec you a cam that will be on the quiet side. the amount of chop depends on the overlap.

Tick, Pat G, etc

 

So when I search for heads, 243 is all I need to search for, no matter what vehicle they were in before? Essentially, is it the same thing that was put in a Z06, same springs, etc...? Other than the Z06 and GTO, what other vehicles were equipped with 243's? Finally, how much does mileage matter for the wear and tear on heads? For instance, if I were to purchase used heads with a decent amount of wear and tear on them, would I be risking blowing my engine? Thx guys, appreciate the answers so far!

 

Some 5.3s where equipped with 243s if I recall and you can search for 799s they are the same as the 243 casting just made in a different plant.

 

I've done some searching on ebay and have found 6.0L 243 heads. I don't really understand...will these work with my 5.7 LS1?

 

Also, what is considered to be "better" 243's or 799's?

 

They are the exact same head unless you stumble across the 243s with the lightweight sodium filled valves.

 

And yes the 6.0 243s will work.

 

I bought heads off ebay and they worked great for me. any 243 or 799 will work on your ls1. from an LS2, 5.3, LS6.

when I got mine I just had to clean them. one was cleaner than the other so I assumed they weren't from the same engine. just be careful buying off ebay like anything else

 

Awesome, thanks Chris and AutoGeek! You guys just made my day. Sometimes this stuff can get a bit confusing. I've only used ebay once and some of the part descriptions are so vague that unless its spelled out directly, (like what you guys just did for me- also, I appreciate the warning. 2 heads from different cars is something I didn't even think of) I'd have a very hard time dropping a few hundred dollars or more on some junk that I don't even need and can't return.

 

Well to be honest some LS2 gto's where know to come with two seperate head casting numbers 243 and 799 so really it makes no difference.