will 243 heads help with a stock cam
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 622
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From: Calgary Alberta
Also, after just the head swap I would chirp third every time, same tires as before the swap that never chirped third before the head swap. I wish I had taken it to the track for actual numbers...
What I can say is the 370Z and my Trans Am both ran close 13.4/13.5's at the track stock.. although I did trap slightly higher if I remember right.
The LS6 intake swap picks around 15-20rwhp that's where ironfist seen his gains. Ls6 heads with a stock cam is a huge waste of time installing all the time swaping heads when the cam won't even take advantage of them. Not to mention to do it right you have to include tuning costs, gaskets, and head bolts all this for 10hp.
Atleast install a small cam at the same time if you do swap them so you can atleast take advantage of them. A TR224 112 cam should still have enough low end to work with a stock stall. And its .563 lift will take advantage of the ls6 heads better flow above .500.
Atleast install a small cam at the same time if you do swap them so you can atleast take advantage of them. A TR224 112 cam should still have enough low end to work with a stock stall. And its .563 lift will take advantage of the ls6 heads better flow above .500.
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From: Virginia Beach
well im doing a 3600 converter also, so i will do do that first, then keep the heads off the car for now, and save for the cam.
can u change the springs with the cam on the car?
would milling the heads help for nitrous???
can u change the springs with the cam on the car?
would milling the heads help for nitrous???
how about this...
with a 98 LS1 with the stock 98 ls1 cam, stock 243s maybe polished, ls6 intake manifold, a slightly tweeked tune (already have frost tuned)
already have 3200 stall, LT headers, catted ORY, lid and 85mm maf
what would i see roughly without touching the cam? and with a 04 Zo6 cam?
with a 98 LS1 with the stock 98 ls1 cam, stock 243s maybe polished, ls6 intake manifold, a slightly tweeked tune (already have frost tuned)
already have 3200 stall, LT headers, catted ORY, lid and 85mm maf
what would i see roughly without touching the cam? and with a 04 Zo6 cam?
how about this...
with a 98 LS1 with the stock 98 ls1 cam, stock 243s maybe polished, ls6 intake manifold, a slightly tweeked tune (already have frost tuned)
already have 3200 stall, LT headers, catted ORY, lid and 85mm maf
what would i see roughly without touching the cam? and with a 04 Zo6 cam?
with a 98 LS1 with the stock 98 ls1 cam, stock 243s maybe polished, ls6 intake manifold, a slightly tweeked tune (already have frost tuned)
already have 3200 stall, LT headers, catted ORY, lid and 85mm maf
what would i see roughly without touching the cam? and with a 04 Zo6 cam?
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The 243 head is a much better starting point versus a LS1 241/853 casting.
The SSR on the 243 is a much better design from the factory than the 241 casting. Not to mention the port is a bit wider on the 243 which helps air slow down and make the turn over the short side radius.
LS6 casting on left, LS1 casting on right
The LS1 casting has issues with turbulence and keeping flow laminar over .550-.600 valve lift. Of course a good porter can rework the casting to improve upon this, but having a better design from the beginning makes it that much easier and raises the potential for power even higher.
The SSR on the 243 is a much better design from the factory than the 241 casting. Not to mention the port is a bit wider on the 243 which helps air slow down and make the turn over the short side radius.
LS6 casting on left, LS1 casting on right
The LS1 casting has issues with turbulence and keeping flow laminar over .550-.600 valve lift. Of course a good porter can rework the casting to improve upon this, but having a better design from the beginning makes it that much easier and raises the potential for power even higher.
For what it's worth - heads only with a stock cam is worth it IMO . My case is different because I wanted more power without a cam swap due to very strict emissions in CA and stock converter. I have dual springs on my heads with a stock cam. I made sure to change the pushrods and zero problems, I should have replaced the lifters with LS7 lifters, more for insurance reasons.
Nothing wrong doing heads first if you can afford to do it, then later slide in a cam. That is why I did mine this way.. you can custom grind a cam to fit your needs/heads but still enjoy some gains until you are ready for a cam.
At first I did not have a tune and it ran ok but once I had a tune on a heads only car, it make a big difference. I wanted a "sleeper" type car and it's fun when I stomp on it.
I don't have any dyno numbers (HP-Tuner street tune) but I plan on doing a couple pulls to see what a mostly stock car with heads only will do. The butt dyno definitely noticed a difference at WOT and top end. I'm actually having a lot of fun with "heads only" without sacrificing any drivability - but that's me.
Nothing wrong doing heads first if you can afford to do it, then later slide in a cam. That is why I did mine this way.. you can custom grind a cam to fit your needs/heads but still enjoy some gains until you are ready for a cam.
At first I did not have a tune and it ran ok but once I had a tune on a heads only car, it make a big difference. I wanted a "sleeper" type car and it's fun when I stomp on it.
I don't have any dyno numbers (HP-Tuner street tune) but I plan on doing a couple pulls to see what a mostly stock car with heads only will do. The butt dyno definitely noticed a difference at WOT and top end. I'm actually having a lot of fun with "heads only" without sacrificing any drivability - but that's me.
Last edited by BBATCAR; Jul 1, 2014 at 09:35 PM. Reason: adding more detail
