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Update on TEA "hand finish to comp level"

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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 10:24 AM
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Talking Update on TEA "hand finish to comp level"

The heads are on a engine dyno so all HP #'s are at the crank. It is a stock shortblock 5.7 with some kind of Comp Cam. We sent them the 5.3 heads, Stg 1.5 with the "hand finish to competition level" option and the heads picked up 50 HP and 70 lb ft of TQ. (for a total of 485 tq and 537 hp) I was personally hoping for more, as this represents about 40 RWHP and 50-60? RWTQ.

As a side note, another set of the HFCL heads went on a A4 car, it only made 415 RWHP unlocked, but made 480 RWTQ. The heads replaced the GM CNC LS6 heads and at some points on the torque curve made almost 100 lb ft more torque!

So the heads seem to be torque monsters, I'm not sure what to make of it so far, as the mid lift flow numbers on the head are really no better, but the top end flow numbers are much better 300 @ .550", 312 @ .600", and 317 @ .675 which is the port stall point. One would expect average torque gains and much more HP, but we seem to have average HP gains (for a good head) and crazy torque gains. We all know that area under the curve is best for almost any application, but I'm just a little perplexed at the results.

ChevyDan is next, you got those heads on yet?
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 11:18 AM
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What type of lift numbers are on the cam? There must be a sweet spot in there caused by the high lift or high duration. That combined with your skill in porting makes an awesome package.

Isn't an unlocked converter going to bump up the torque?
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 11:30 AM
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Wow!!! Very impressive.. Keep up the good work.
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 12:09 PM
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the hp gains you're seeing over and above a shelf set are nice.....well worth the extra coin IMO..... me really likes the increase in torque

Nice work TEA
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 12:20 PM
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Actually Brian,

My opinion is a 40-50 RWHP increase with just heads is VERY good. I can't tell you how many times I have seen only 10-30 HP increase with custom ported heads. Anyone claiming that their heads ACTUALLY made more than 50HP compared to a set of LS1 or LS6 heads then I am always skeptical because I myself have NEVER seen that.

Last edited by sr71bb; Jan 3, 2004 at 12:25 PM.
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 12:58 PM
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always setting the bench mark, WTG
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by sr71bb
Actually Brian,

My opinion is a 40-50 RWHP increase with just heads is VERY good. I can't tell you how many times I have seen only 10-30 HP increase with custom ported heads. Anyone claiming that their heads ACTUALLY made more than 50HP compared to a set of LS1 or LS6 heads then I am always skeptical because I myself have NEVER seen that.
That reminds me of the dyno graph posted over a year ago by Jason 99 TA I believe, where he slapped on a set of GTP heads to a car with a TR 224 cam and they got 60rwhp.
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 01:37 PM
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Verbs, the car picked up right at 58rwhp at peak if I remember correctly. I can go find the graph and post it later if anyone is interested. The heads were GTP stage 2 5.3l heads and a TR224 cam. The only change was the heads. This was through a Moser 12-bolt/4:10s. The car dynoed 442rwhp/421rwtq.

Jason
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 01:46 PM
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damn that was quick!
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 01:47 PM
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kind of hard to compare when you we dont know the cam specs of the 2 cars TEA was using compared to the TR224. i would like to see the Cure on all three sets .. the 2 TEA and the one GTP
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Jason99T/A
Verbs, the car picked up right at 58rwhp at peak if I remember correctly. I can go find the graph and post it later if anyone is interested. The heads were GTP stage 2 5.3l heads and a TR224 cam. The only change was the heads. This was through a Moser 12-bolt/4:10s. The car dynoed 442rwhp/421rwtq.

Jason

Damn, that's some kickass torque! Post up the before and after graphs if you find them. I'd like to see the tq curve.
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 02:37 PM
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:Asking a serious question: Wouldn't you need to know the specs on the cam to give a better comparison as to how much HP you gained? If you picked up that much HP on a cam that wasn't really limited by the heads, good, but if you picked up that much on a car that was suverly restricted then I would say, ok. You yourself said this was an average gain, but I think more good or bad could be told by knowing more details of the test motor.
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 02:37 PM
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So if one already owns a set of TEA st. 1.5 5.3L heads could I send them back to get this "hand finish to comp level" job done? If so how much would I be looking at?
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by RedBaron
So if one already owns a set of TEA st. 1.5 5.3L heads could I send them back to get this "hand finish to comp level" job done? If so how much would I be looking at?
I think he said it was a $250 option in another post.
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by gomer
Damn, that's some kickass torque! Post up the before and after graphs if you find them. I'd like to see the tq curve.
I'll see if I can get them, it may be Monday before I can get them.

RedBaron: Give me a call and we can discuss, Thanks

Cam specs are a Comp Extreme Energy XR281HR12 Part # 54-428-11 281/283 228/230 .571/.573 112 LSA, I would like to see a TR 230/227 myself, but I think that auto car had about the same type cam.

Last edited by Brian Tooley Racing; Jan 3, 2004 at 02:54 PM.
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 03:19 PM
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Very nice #'s. I gained about 45 rwhp on my combo. I thought heads would only give about 10-15. I guess I was wrong. All of u head porters out there. My hat's off to u guys!
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 03:32 PM
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brian, i think gomer was talking to jason. i could be wrong.
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 03:33 PM
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Verbs, the car picked up right at 58rwhp at peak if I remember correctly. I can go find the graph and post it later if anyone is interested. The heads were GTP stage 2 5.3l heads and a TR224 cam. The only change was the heads. This was through a Moser 12-bolt/4:10s. The car dynoed 442rwhp/421rwtq.
Hey Jason, isn't that the car that blew up like 2 weeks later from to much compression on stock pistons?

Good work Brian. I know a lil somethin about those hand finished heads myself

Josh
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 03:36 PM
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damn that is alot of tq, good job!
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Old Jan 3, 2004 | 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by monkeyboy
brian, i think gomer was talking to jason. i could be wrong.
I thought KHShapiro and Beast96Z wanted to know the cam specs. I could be wrong.
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