bigfatls6

iTrader: (34)

If so how well do they worked unported? Im looking for a good replacement for my stock ls6 heads and I have a 231/237 585/595 cam. Any issues with them?

DaveX

I researched this a few years ago before I bought heads and ended up buying the 225's instead. From what I recall, there is no loss in torque with the 225's and they flow a little better overall. And if you ever want to go with larger cubes you can have them ported and they will be some of the best flowing heads out there if the right person does the work. The downside is they have a few potential quality issues. I think my set has a few loose valve guides because last time I changed plugs a few of them were oily. This is not an uncommon problem.

If I were to do it over again I think I would purchase something else. There are better flowing heads for the money today.

Paint_It_Black

iTrader: (1)

When dealing with Dart heads, I would call Bauer Racing Engines. I know they have "as cast" heads with just their valve job hitting ridiculous flow numbers.. somewhere in the 330-340 range.

JPH

iTrader: (2)

I have run there 225s on a motor, but not untill I worked on them heavily, to get them where I wanted. The 205s will need help right out of the box, like there 225s do.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

The 205's won't perform much better then your current 243 GM heads. Plus, if you have true LS6 heads with the light valves, you have a distinct advantage.

bigfatls6

iTrader: (34)

Not sure what you mean true ls6 heads. These came on my 2001 ls6 from a 2001 z06 vette

bigfatls6

iTrader: (34)

One thing I have learned is that you can't always go by the advertised flow numbers.

mikey1107

iTrader: (10)

I agree. I just wanted you to have the info.
I do not see anything wrong with an affordable "as cast" head that flows the same as a lot of expensive CNC'd heads.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

2001 LS6 didn't have the lightweight valves. I ran the Dart 205's for two years and have since upgraded to AFR 205's. Personally, I would look at other heads. Reports I have gotten from some builders is that the Dart's are having issues with quality (too much clearance in the valve guides, valves not centered on the seat, etc.). Mine were one of the first set of heads they made and I had no issues, but there seems to be a lot of problems now from what I have been told.

bigfatls6

iTrader: (34)

I looked into the dart heads a few years back when they first started makeing the heads for the ls1 and found out that on a lot of their heads they were have problems with the valve seal. From what I have read recently they fixed these issuse not to long after they were first released. I heard before they caused an oil consumption problem because of the valve seals. I bought a set of new as cast bare dart 205 heads from a member on here for $660 shipped so if they will make more power than my 2001 ls6 heads I will be happy. I just can't see putting $2000 plus iin a set of afrs. Before I do that I will build another ls3 headed 408 and let it eat.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

There were oil control issues early on, but that wasn't Darts fault at the time. Some of the CNC programs being used were leaving cracks in the intake part so they sucked oil. My 205's used less oil then the stock 241's.

mike c.

iTrader: (1)

Gm tech had a big head vs head story not too long ago. The top heads were trick flow,then afr heads were very close. dart heads were not as good as livernoise cnc ported heads. I had AFR heads and they do their job. if money is not an issue then the trick flow 215 head is a killer piece. my boy has them on a 383ci and makes numbers better then most 402ci on this site. The car pulls like mad too.

Paint_It_Black

iTrader: (1)

fix the VJ on the darts and you are right there with TFS and AFR

mikey1107

iTrader: (10)

I bought my Darts bare for about $600. I can do a valve job,porting,etc... and save a lot of money over a $2300 set of AFR's.I got nothing against AFR's other than the price.
I was actually going to buy a set of $1500 PRC stage 2.5 LS6's before I bought these Darts. Just can't beat the price when you're on a budget.

intenseblue

iTrader: (1)

I don't doubt one bit the TFS are better than the AFR heads for power production, but IIRC those Trick Flows were tampered with and weren't in an out-of-the-box condidtion

n20kid

iTrader: (6)

The problem with the "oil consumpyion" was from other shop's (wont say name's) buying the as cast heads, doing there work on them and putting on the wrong valve seals. I had someone from Dart in my shop on the way to a shop that was putting the blame on Dart to show that shop that the problem was in fact not Dart but the people doing there in house work and shipping them out faulty.

bigfatls6

iTrader: (34)

I have a set of the 205 as cast heads on the way. Who can handle doing a good port job on them and assemble them correctly so I don't have issues with them?

Paint_It_Black

iTrader: (1)

Bauer Racing Engines. 100% guarantee they will be right and you will not have issues with them. They aren't the cheapest route, but you get what you pay for.