1sicss

iTrader: (3)

So I'm prepping for a cam swap and was thinking of replacing the lifters and while the heads would be off I was wondering if it is worth porting the stock 806 casting, last I cheked the owner of the local machine shop told me he would clean up the intake and the exhaust runnners and clean up the bowls for 150.00 since we go way back and he's always done my work. He also said he would even put them before and after on a flow bench so is there any ponies to be had doing this to the stockers thanks. My kid wanted to add the faces. thanks fellas.

itsslow98

iTrader: (18)

806 castings are the worst heads put on an ls1. You would be better off just picking up a stock set of 241 rather then bothering touching the 806s. SHould be able to find 241s for 100 bucks.

then get him to touch up the 241s for 150 and youll see a pretty good gain.

allna6

iTrader: (19)

I made 430 hp 400tq with a set of hand ported 806 heads, F13 cam and a fast 90. This was through a M6 and MWC 9" rear.

It trapped 116 mph and ran pretty strong.

I say go for it. As long as it isn't your daily driver what do you have to lose?

allna6

iTrader: (19)

and LOL at your kid's faces

mikey67

The main reason people avoid 806 heads is the perimeter valve cover and the direct mount to valve cover ignition coils. If ported properly they should be comparable to other ported OEM heads.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

Yes it's worth it.

I would say its not worth it to buy 241s, if you are going to BUY heads to port get 799/243 ls6 type heads.

Buying ls1 heads when you already have a set is a waste. Plus you would need coils/brackets, valve covers for the new center bolt design. Waste of money.

95_ls

iTrader: (4)

i would def. replace the lifter I'm regretting that i didn't after my cam swap and sure enough a month later i have horrible lifter noise and i have to tear it down again. i was also tossing around the idea of porting my stock heads but i believe they r the 853 casting which if I'm not mistaking are the sand cast heads you guys think it be worth porting them out?

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

A ported ls1 head is a ported ls1 head no matter the casting if they get the same port work.

The sand cast heads are just shittier stock due to rough casting, but once porting has smoothed everything out they are equal.

If you want centerbolt covers and rail mounted coils would be the only reason to switch. If you like the idea of being sneaky, the stock heads will keep people from knowing the engine's been busted open for go fast goodies.



If you bother to pull the heads, get them milled or at least a thinner gasket for more compression. It's cheap HP.

mikey67

This.

98ws6blk

Yeah 806 are suppose to be as good ported as any of the other ls1 heads ported.

1sicss

iTrader: (3)

Thanks fellas

Adam86

iTrader: (10)

I pulled my 806s for 241s but only because I wanted to go with MLS gaskets. Can't use them with 806s.

Qwiknotch

Why can't you?

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

Early perimeter V/C heads have a casting notch on the exhaust side of the
deck surface that requires a specific gasket (right hand;left hand) in order
to seal properly.
Some have had shops weld this small area in prior to milling and then can use
MLS style gaskets to tighten up the quench for more compression/power.

gMAG

iTrader: (1)

806 heads work just fine. John @ Speartech used them on one of his projects.
As Thunderstruck said, there is flash on the runners, comb chambers, bowls.
You can smooth these out yourself, as I did.
One thing to be concerned with, is if you are going to do extensive porting around the valve guides, within the runners...it can be difficult to give the same/equal roundness by hand.
For this reason, in the future, I'll be sending them out to whichever sponsor can accomplish this at the least cost.

JoshuaGrooms83

iTrader: (2)

ok, so if i go from my stock 806 heads to some cheap 241 heads and decent cam, it would be a step in the right direction? im trying to keep my CR to 10.1 for low boost operations. but not really digging the 9 cr range that 317 heads give. and not really trying to mill the crap out of heads for CR. A nice polishing is all im really looking for.

The_Bishop

iTrader: (10)

You will end up in the same place, power wise. The ports are the same.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

As previously stated in the thread, it wouldn't really be a step in any direction

changing stock ls1 heads for any other stock ls1 heads, there isn't enough gain to even justify the cost of the fluid change (much less bolts, gaskets, and long hours)

ported heads or 243/799s or bust (and plenty would even argue stock 243/799 are barely worth the effort/cost)