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853 vs. 241 vs. 243 castings?

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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 01:40 PM
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Default 853 vs. 241 vs. 243 castings?

Well I'm looking to put some new and improved heads on my 99 Trans Am WS6 and my stock heads casting are stamped 853. Can I replace these with LS6 heads or 241/243 castings?

Thanks
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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 01:50 PM
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a 243 IS an ls6 head.
youll be gaining a lil bit, but for the price, you could go with something similar with better results.
all depends on what you are doing with the car, cam,,,,, etc.
buddy of mine put in a ls6 cam and heads and ran 8.0's 1/8 mile.
be a 12.40 in the 1/4. not bad for a stock appearing car on 17's.
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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 02:21 PM
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Will be putting in an above average 228/228 cam as to not compromise the engine's integrity too much but also save a little bit on gas mileage. Should I just stay with the 853 heads and maybe just add a better intake?
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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 02:27 PM
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if you can get a set of LS6-243 heads...CHEAP...then sure go ahead and switch them when you do the cam install.....however if your going to pay alot or have been thinking about switching to stock 241s...just dont even worry about it and keep your 853s...everyone downs them...but theres not a whole HUGE difference between them and 241s....
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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 02:49 PM
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A set of stock 243's are a nice upgrade from the 853's, again, if you can find them cheap. I went this route because I wanted a bump in power and not compromise the driveability of my car. Although, if you're looking for high hp numbers, I'd go for a set of proven aftermarket heads like AFR's or maybe even some of those TSP 243 heads.
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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 06:37 PM
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Well, I'm down to the cam. I got the new double roller timing chain but it's time to decide on a cam. I'm leaning toward the TSP 228r cam. I'm not too sure if it's too extreme for my car since my piston heads got scratched when I downshifted from 5th to 2nd at 70 MPH. Not to mention the 4 bent pushrods. The valvetrain looks fine but I don't want to compromise the integrity of the engine anymore than I have to. What other upgrades should I do while I'm there? I'm ordering parts and need some input as to the valve springs, locks, retainers etc. The engine is getting an overhaul. I got a new set of GM pushrods but I don't know if those will work or if I should do something with more durability.
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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 08:35 PM
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difference in 853's and 241's is the casting, 241's were die casted so they already have smoothed out ports where the 853's are a little textured
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Old Mar 11, 2007 | 12:57 AM
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DO NOT USE GM PUSHRODS.
please get a hardened set.
manley
tsp
fms
whoever....
good luck.
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