Mike96z

iTrader: (78)

Alright, should I go with the LS6 Intake on my 98 LS1? or the Ported 853 Heads?

Currently I have a 98 LS1 from a SS Camaro in my 96, its a M6 setup, current mods are below. Just wanted to see from which I would see more gains from. Not sure how well a set of ported 853's would flow but hopefully they would flow pretty good. Does anyone think they would flow like LS6 heads? The heads were milled a little I think to raise the compression. My car has the stock 806 castings which I heard, stink.

Specs:
5.7L 346 ci. LS1 (98 SS Camaro Engine)
370 HP @ 5500 RPM est
385 TQ @ 4500 RPM est

Mods:
-Hurst Competition Plus Short Throw Shifter
-F1 Lightweight Flywheel
-Walbro 255lph Fuel Pump
-Hooker Super Comp LT Headers
-G2 Cold Air Intake
-K&N Air Filter
-Ported MAF Sensor
-Rebuilt T-56 w/ Beefed Shift Forks
-180 Thermostat
-Copper Header Collector Gaskets
-No AIR
-No A/C
-Skip Shift Delete
-6,500 Rev Limit
-No Governor
-No Cats
-Royal Purple 5w30
-LG Performance 2.5 in. Lowering Kit
-ES T/A Mount
-ES Tranny Mounts
-X-Pipe w/ Dynomax Bullets
-Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch
-LCA Relocation Brackets
-Powerstop Coated Cross Drilled Rotors
-Royal Purple HP 5w30
-Hurst Hot Shift HP ATF

Apperance Mods:
-17x11.0 Black Grandsport ZR1's 315/35ZR17
-Nitto Drag Radials 315/35ZR17

quiet_storm98

iTrader: (48)

heads will net you a larger gain but it will cost more and take more time...since you have the 806 heads you will need center bolt valve covers and brackets as well as gaskets, head bolts, etc. Also if you take all that time to swap the heads you might as well throw a better cam in there. Honestly a head swap is on a totally different level then swapping the intake is and really isn't comparable. A intake swap will only typically gain about 10 hp while a head swap can gain 40 or more depending on how well the heads have been ported but like i said there is ALOT more involved in a head swap

Mike96z

iTrader: (78)

yea, the intake swap is fairly easy, the head swap, I was thinking the same, might as well throw some lifters in there etc.

Mike96z

iTrader: (78)

the heads should flow like LS6 heads but not sure which route I should go as of now.

buddha845

iTrader: (3)

dont know about the flow #'s or anything buy if you have the cash and can go without your car for as long as it takes for the heads then i dont see why not. ls6 intake is nice but if you can do the heads then you mnight as well.

Mike96z

iTrader: (78)

as far as down time, I will have heads, get all parts together to do the swap and would take me only some hours to do the work so no down time for me really, Just patience.

buddha845

iTrader: (3)

id say go for it if you have the patience haha

93redBIRDman

iTrader: (9)

go for the ported 853's. They will outflow the STOCK LS6 heads by a large margin and you will get very good power out of them...

lastcall190

iTrader: (36)

Do the heads and at the same time throw in new lifters and get ready for when you put a cam in.

-J

Mike96z

iTrader: (78)

thanks for all info

SSkillz

iTrader: (22)

ported stock 853's heads will make more power over the stock ls6 heads?

2000Hawk

iTrader: (5)

I would say go for the LS6 intake so you can get more air in there.
-Joel

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

I would say heads. I had some 853's that I had ported at one time. It made one hell of a difference after I installed a 222/226 cam. It was about 70rwhp difference and probably around 25-30rwhp with heads alone. Intake will be the bottle neck at that point.

95 Z28

iTrader: (21)

Do the LS6 intake...get all your bolt ons done first, before you start getting into the good stuff Or what the hell, do both.

93redBIRDman

iTrader: (9)

Hell yea they will, by a long shot! A good port job will net you near or over 300cfm (intake) with the ported 853's. STOCK ls6 heads flow around 257cfm on the intake side at .600 lift. So yes 853's would be better, BUT porting the ls6 heads is even better obviously. Actually I just read a chart (dont remember what thread it was on) that had fully ported LS1 241's vs. fully ported 243's (ls6) and they were damn close to being the same.

Anyways, moral of the story, yes PORTED 853's will flow a lot more than STOCK ls6 heads...

Mike96z

iTrader: (78)

alright, got the heads in my hands, the porting is badass, fully ported and polished, will post pictures of work on here. I think its the way to go for now. I play on installing the heads when I get the valve covers and brackets but while im at it, will install the LS7 lifters and probably some good springs. Then comes the cam and intake.

Mike96z

iTrader: (78)

you cant see how good it really is in the pics but here are some pics: