IRONFIST

No I didn't, I did the heads first and did the LS6 intake a few months later. I would pull away from the 370Z with just the heads but not nearly as quickly as after the addition of the intake.

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.

mtuggle86

iTrader: (7)

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.

vbls

iTrader: (17)

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???

crainholio

iTrader: (2)

Is the cam on the roof or the trunk?

If your goal is engine longevity, that would be "no."

vbls

iTrader: (17)

lol , my bad.. change the springs with the heads installed.....

crainholio

iTrader: (2)

Sure can, check out the Crane spring tool for the gold standard in on-car spring swaps. Use an air compressor or rope to hold the valves up.

JoshuaGrooms83

iTrader: (2)

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?

cali_bear2003

iTrader: (7)

I am also wondering the same thing regarding this above question? I have a crate LS6 engine and I am considering sending off my heads ( probably just hand deliver since its only about 2 hours drive) to TEA for their stage 1 (I will be keeping my sodium valves) port work. I am wondering what and where I will see the gains with the stock 02-04 LS6 cam. I did have Martin Smallwood from Tick Performance spec me a cam which I will be purchasing come this fall. The pursuit for few more ponies can become costly $$$$.......Ouch..!!!

Sales@Tick

iTrader: (3)

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.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

I didn't read every post and haven't cammed a gen 3 yet but it seems to me the cam is the lower hanging fruit and would start there.

BBATCAR

iTrader: (1)

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.