Ported 5.3's vs ported 243's - opinions please!!
#61
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depends on what flow bench was used,and if the operator fudged the numbers..AFRs have the most honest flow #s out there..most shops inflate their flow #s to sell heads..
and you can't judge a head based on flow #s alone..it's about the quality of airflow,not just quanity..
and you can't judge a head based on flow #s alone..it's about the quality of airflow,not just quanity..
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Still contemplating on what heads to go with...not just between 243's and 5.3's but in terms of whom to order them from. In terms of ported LS6 heads as an example, I can't figure out what the difference is between say a $2000 CNC'd LS6 heads and PRC's $1400 CNC'd LS6 heads. I mean they are both the same exact casting and they are both ported by a machine. I don't understand when people argue how this or that head is so much better. Unless hand porting comes in to play or you are talking about aftermarket heads, why would there be any significant difference? One CNC machine maybe is better than the other? Many people are telling me...oh PRC are cheap budget heads, yada yada yada...but whats the real difference other price?
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Still contemplating on what heads to go with...not just between 243's and 5.3's but in terms of whom to order them from. In terms of ported LS6 heads as an example, I can't figure out what the difference is between say a $2000 CNC'd LS6 heads and PRC's $1400 CNC'd LS6 heads. I mean they are both the same exact casting and they are both ported by a machine. I don't understand when people argue how this or that head is so much better. Unless hand porting comes in to play or you are talking about aftermarket heads, why would there be any significant difference? One CNC machine maybe is better than the other? Many people are telling me...oh PRC are cheap budget heads, yada yada yada...but whats the real difference other price?
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Thats my point....if its the same stock casting...and both are CNC'd by a machine...I can't imagine there is any significant difference.
if you want better it seems you have to go to completely aftermarket heads like AFR's, or TFS, etc....which cost double the price. And do they really produce that much more power? Is it really worth that much more money for maybe 5-10hp?
And therefore it seems the PRC and Patriot heads are a great value. I'm no expert. Just speculating...
Here are some quotes I came across of PRC stage 2.5 5.3's + a 228R cam between this site and ls1gto:
if you want better it seems you have to go to completely aftermarket heads like AFR's, or TFS, etc....which cost double the price. And do they really produce that much more power? Is it really worth that much more money for maybe 5-10hp?
And therefore it seems the PRC and Patriot heads are a great value. I'm no expert. Just speculating...
Here are some quotes I came across of PRC stage 2.5 5.3's + a 228R cam between this site and ls1gto:
there a guy on our local forum,well he is a member here to ...anyway in an 01 a4 car he made 430 rwhp not sure on his tq though....he has the 228r and 2.5 5.3s....this was done through a ls6 manifold and ported stock tb....that cam makes amazing power...
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A friend of mine has the stg 2 5.3 heads with a similar cam like yours and puts down well over 400 to the wheel with a stock LS1 intake.
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Its hard to say in an A4,but I put down 417 rwhp 407rwt in my 98 A4 with those heads (stg 2.5 5.3's) and a Tr224/112 cam and ported fast 90/90.I have a TCI ssf 3500stall.Hope this gives you an idea
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I have seen the same setup (PRC stg 2.5 5.3L & 228R) threw a M6 with cats and just a LS6 intake with no pulley or water pump make 430 SAE
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My car made 430rwhp and 395rwtq with the same cam (228R) and 5.3L Heads from Texas Speed.
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A friend of mine has the stg 2 5.3 heads with a similar cam like yours and puts down well over 400 to the wheel with a stock LS1 intake.
____________________________________
Its hard to say in an A4,but I put down 417 rwhp 407rwt in my 98 A4 with those heads (stg 2.5 5.3's) and a Tr224/112 cam and ported fast 90/90.I have a TCI ssf 3500stall.Hope this gives you an idea
_____________________________________
I have seen the same setup (PRC stg 2.5 5.3L & 228R) threw a M6 with cats and just a LS6 intake with no pulley or water pump make 430 SAE
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My car made 430rwhp and 395rwtq with the same cam (228R) and 5.3L Heads from Texas Speed.
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The difference in price can be attributed to the quality of valves,springs etc. used.Also you have to consider that the cnc porting is based on a hand ported head and the cnc machine is copying that,and therefore only as good as the original port.
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Well I know the PRC dual gold spring kit is a proven setup. In terms of valves, all I know is they use Stainless Steel valves. Don't know who manufacture's them. In regards to the porting, if all it takes is an original hand port to create the machines specs which will be used on ALL the heads going forward....well, I can't see a company skimping out on that. For lack of a better word, that would be retarded, lol.
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I'm sure lots of flow bench testing goes into developing a port before the profile is cut on 7 others for dyno testing. It would be interesting to see how intensive the process can be.
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There is nothing wrong with the springs on the PRC heads.That would be pretty retarded to skimp on the cost to develop a good port wouldn't it!Or even a good valve job for that matter.
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Ok, I sense your sarcasm on the port Aaron. Well, PRC sells a TON of their heads. Why, if it only takes a one-and-done "master" port, would they skimp on this?? That same port will go into the thousands of heads they sell, which dyno numbers will be pasted all over the internet. It would be completely mindless to skimp on this, unless the best master port costs a $1million these days?
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The PRC 5.3's seem to be a proven combo with the 228r cam. However, what about the stage 1 ls6's and the 228r cam? Which head, the 5.3 or ls6, will make better under the curve power given identical compression ratios? Peak HP?
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KB99WS6 see my post above, time = money. And sure you can recoup your investment by reselling a TON of heads, but you have to get there first. Then prove it to enough buyers to get some initial sales, then prove it to all the doubters, web finatics, etc.
There are several different approaches, but the most common seems to be to put out a decent product and use good marketing to get a return on your investment. Not that I'm taking away from any of the names mentioned here, everone has their favorite porter, cam grinder, etc. The cost of developing an incrementally better product begins to outweigh the return, unless you do your job marketing.
There are several different approaches, but the most common seems to be to put out a decent product and use good marketing to get a return on your investment. Not that I'm taking away from any of the names mentioned here, everone has their favorite porter, cam grinder, etc. The cost of developing an incrementally better product begins to outweigh the return, unless you do your job marketing.
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Look at the numbers in my sig, and that is with a 224r cam.. a bit smaller. When I port my FAST Im sure I'll be around 440ish rwhp and 415ftlbs. The 5.3's are a great bang for the buck. Im not saying the 243's arent as well as my buddy has them on his 98 T/A.
Really you can't go wrong with either setup. Do you plan on staying N/A? If so you can have them mill the heads out to bump the compression up a bit which will give you power however you may have to watch your PTV with a 228 but im not 100% sure. Call TSP they would be the best to talk to.
Really you can't go wrong with either setup. Do you plan on staying N/A? If so you can have them mill the heads out to bump the compression up a bit which will give you power however you may have to watch your PTV with a 228 but im not 100% sure. Call TSP they would be the best to talk to.
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Look at the numbers in my sig, and that is with a 224r cam.. a bit smaller. When I port my FAST Im sure I'll be around 440ish rwhp and 415ftlbs. The 5.3's are a great bang for the buck. Im not saying the 243's arent as well as my buddy has them on his 98 T/A.
Really you can't go wrong with either setup. Do you plan on staying N/A? If so you can have them mill the heads out to bump the compression up a bit which will give you power however you may have to watch your PTV with a 228 but im not 100% sure. Call TSP they would be the best to talk to.
Really you can't go wrong with either setup. Do you plan on staying N/A? If so you can have them mill the heads out to bump the compression up a bit which will give you power however you may have to watch your PTV with a 228 but im not 100% sure. Call TSP they would be the best to talk to.
#77
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My tuner tells me if i want to go fi go 243's if i want to go all motor which i do go for 5.3's the motor will be extra happy with the compression of around 11:1 KB99WS6 sell ur 243'S someone will def buy them esp with springs and stuff
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Just got off the phone with John @ Texas Speed and decided to order the PRC stg 2.5 5.3's. They will be milled to 60cc which John said would give me just under 11:1 compression. Along with the 228r cam it should be a super-torquey setup that should be really fun and great for the street, especially being my car is so light. And I do have Nitto DR's so traction won't be a big problem.
It just seemed to be the best option for me being its an N/A street car and especially for budget reasons. Since I already bought the Cam kit, those heads were only $940 additional, and I can sell my LS6 heads for ~$400, so it will only cost me ~$500-$550 for the head swap. I also considered having my LS6 heads ported by the machine shop the Vette Docs used which would have cost $1500, but I just didn't have the money. For $1000 less, I should be happy with this setup.
I'll be posting up the dyno results after everything is back together, as well as commenting on how the car feels, etc. The new heads should be ready to ship out in about a week. So I am guessing it will be approximately 2 weeks when its all done.
It just seemed to be the best option for me being its an N/A street car and especially for budget reasons. Since I already bought the Cam kit, those heads were only $940 additional, and I can sell my LS6 heads for ~$400, so it will only cost me ~$500-$550 for the head swap. I also considered having my LS6 heads ported by the machine shop the Vette Docs used which would have cost $1500, but I just didn't have the money. For $1000 less, I should be happy with this setup.
I'll be posting up the dyno results after everything is back together, as well as commenting on how the car feels, etc. The new heads should be ready to ship out in about a week. So I am guessing it will be approximately 2 weeks when its all done.