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New or used LS6 heads?

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Old 04-21-2010, 06:06 PM
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Default New or used LS6 heads?

My friend is going to check out some LS6 heads tomorrow and I'll be going with him, but I wanted to know what we should look for. He said they're brand new never used. He wants $400 for them. How can I tell they're LS6 heads and if they're new? Will it say 243?



Last edited by SSmokin99; 04-21-2010 at 08:41 PM.
Old 04-21-2010, 06:17 PM
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It will say 243 on one of the corners under where the valve cover goes. If theyre used, you will probably be able to look on the bottom surface of them and see an outline of the head gasket, unless its been machined.
Old 04-21-2010, 06:39 PM
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799's are the same casting......
Old 04-21-2010, 06:49 PM
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799's usually go for less i have seen some go for 300-350 shipped #243's are usually always 500-550 shipped
Old 04-21-2010, 07:36 PM
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IF they are actual LS6 heads they will have lightweight valves and are worth more. There are non LS6 243 heads, that have heavy valves.
Old 04-21-2010, 08:42 PM
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Well my boy picked them up today so I snapped some pics. What do you think? He took $350 for both of them. Is that a good price? Are these the LS6 243's?
Old 04-21-2010, 08:58 PM
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Those are 243 heads, you can actually see the number in your top pic....the head that's on the bottom...it's written in the lower right hand side of the head.
Old 04-21-2010, 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by SweetS10V8
IF they are actual LS6 heads they will have lightweight valves and are worth more. There are non LS6 243 heads, that have heavy valves.
Originally Posted by Johns00Z28
Those are 243 heads, you can actually see the number in your top pic....the head that's on the bottom...it's written in the lower right hand side of the head.
I was referring to SweetS10V8. Because he said there are non LS6 243's and I'm wondering what my friends heads are.
Old 04-21-2010, 10:02 PM
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good buy.the non-ls6 heads don't have the liter sodium filled valves,no big deal.you will need valves ,a valve job,springs and retainers,etc...
Old 04-21-2010, 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by garygnu
good buy.the non-ls6 heads don't have the liter sodium filled valves,no big deal.you will need valves ,a valve job,springs and retainers,etc...
So what heads are the one pictured?
Old 04-21-2010, 10:12 PM
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Those are LS6 heads in the pic. Not all LS6 heads have the sodium filled valves.
Old 04-21-2010, 10:14 PM
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LS6 243 SPM Cast which is said to produce a little more (5~7hp) over the non SPM castings, you can google it, SPM cast heads are supposed to have more consistent, smoother runners becuase of their casting process, you can tell they're SPM heads by the triangle's by the spark plug holes
Old 04-21-2010, 10:16 PM
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Also note the D-shaped exhaust ports (most LS2 243 heads that I've seen have the round ports)
Old 04-21-2010, 10:20 PM
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I have #241s that are SPM ,was surprised.are SPM heads worth more?
Old 04-22-2010, 06:46 AM
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Originally Posted by BlueBird346
Those are LS6 heads in the pic. Not all LS6 heads have the sodium filled valves.
As far as I know they do. Where are you getting your info??
Old 04-22-2010, 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by garygnu
I have #241s that are SPM ,was surprised.are SPM heads worth more?
Not really worth more money if you're looking to sell, however the method that was used in the casting process was more consistent and smoother which resulted in a few extra ponies thus making this the more desirable type of head if you're going to be buying a used head. Kinda like the 01-02 Fbods that came with the LS6 block, some guys look for it but it's really not worth any more than LS1 block car, no "said" performance difference. Hope this helps
Old 04-22-2010, 10:03 AM
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I do not see any valve guides ,they are most likely brand new casting.
Old 04-22-2010, 10:16 AM
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243 heads are just that 243 heads which is a casting number like 799. what sets the heads apart are the valves and the flow which they flow very well for stock castings. The valves are the most important part of the equation if you are looking into reving your engine past 6500 rpm and have great stability in your valve train. You can buy a set of 243 heads and not be an LS6 set up hence the 799s set up which come in the 05+ Corvettes. Now you will get some 243 heads on some 05 Corvettes yet they do not have the LS6 set up. What you want is the whole set up heads, valves and get the corresponding springs to use with your particular cam and set up.

Good Luck
Old 04-22-2010, 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by SweetS10V8
As far as I know they do. Where are you getting your info??
The earlier years dont have the sodium filled valves, I know 01's dont for sure. Im not sure exactly which years got the sodium valves. Maybe someone can back me up on this. Not trying to sound like a know it all lol.

What I meant by "LS6 heads" was its the LS6 casting. Not necessarily with LS6 valvetrain. The heads in the pic COULD be LS2 heads, but I think they are the same thing, so it doesnt really matter.

Ive never heard of SPM heads though. Learn something new every day lol.

Last edited by BlueBird346; 04-22-2010 at 12:35 PM.
Old 04-22-2010, 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by BlueBird346
The earlier years dont have the sodium filled valves, I know 01's dont for sure.
The LS6 set up on the 243s is from 02-04 where you got the hollow/sodium filled valves.


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