241's to ai for $500 or buy 243's
05-28-2012, 04:13 PM
#22
Don't fall into the black hole. Consider your goals and budget, go from there. If you want to just rebuild the 241s THAT IS FINE!. There is always one step above the other so its endless!
Worked 241s will give you a performance increase despite some rumors. There are always better heads out there, but the cost keeps going up!
Worked 241s will give you a performance increase despite some rumors. There are always better heads out there, but the cost keeps going up!
05-28-2012, 07:18 PM
#23
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I had a set of hand ported 241s(they were 99 ls1 heads, whatever castings those are) back in the day and gained 4 mph and 3 tenths without changing anything else. I also ran it in hotter weatther, so the da was most likely worse. I then went with a different tq converter and gained another 5 tenths and 2 mph. This was back when there weren't any choices but get your stock castings ported.
05-28-2012, 08:00 PM
#25
The only way I would spend the money on fully worked over 241s is if the class I raced in restricted my head type to OEM. The aftermarket is saturated with great budget heads so porting stockers is becomming a black art. If porting stockers is what you want to do well AI is one of the best in the business as they say.
05-28-2012, 08:51 PM
#27
05-28-2012, 08:55 PM
#28
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You can get a little edge from porting 241's I'm sure. I look at it like everyone has a little extra money every month(or they shouldn't be modding). So, saving up for some ported 243's, or a used set of aftermarket heads, would take maybe another month or 2. I'm just the type who can't settle for a bottom dollar mod on something like this, at least get a mid level head. That's just me though. When I first got my car, I asked some well know sponsor/vendor's whether I should port my 243's or go aftermarket. For the cost, all said go ported 243's, as it is a great casting from the factory. I'll personally probably just wait for a used aftermarket casting o have A.I. port my 243's (I've seen some incredible gains from AI on the 243's).. Doubt I'll get some $2k heads, but maybe something in the $800-$1200 range. Affordable, and a good mid grade power increase. I want to beat or be close to competitive with other cars of the same mods.
Last edited by O-FiveCC; 05-28-2012 at 09:09 PM.
05-28-2012, 09:07 PM
#29
A.I. is right in line with the cheapest CNC'ers in the industry as far as price. Their full CNC program is around $900 IIRC. If you want to mention "budgets to pay for it" then you need to start talking about TFS, Mast, AFR, etc...
To the OP. I've ran some of A.I.'s budget stuff and it's about worth 15-20rwhp depending on the application. If $500 is worth that to you, then go for it. However I will say that 243's can be had in the $250-300 range if you know where to look, and with a .020 resurface they're also going to give you that 15-20HP. Resurfacing at most machine shops will run you $75-100, so give or take you're spending about the same.
05-29-2012, 08:52 AM
#30
Huh?
A.I. is right in line with the cheapest CNC'ers in the industry as far as price. Their full CNC program is around $900 IIRC. If you want to mention "budgets to pay for it" then you need to start talking about TFS, Mast, AFR, etc...
To the OP. I've ran some of A.I.'s budget stuff and it's about worth 15-20rwhp depending on the application. If $500 is worth that to you, then go for it. However I will say that 243's can be had in the $250-300 range if you know where to look, and with a .020 resurface they're also going to give you that 15-20HP. Resurfacing at most machine shops will run you $75-100, so give or take you're spending about the same.
A.I. is right in line with the cheapest CNC'ers in the industry as far as price. Their full CNC program is around $900 IIRC. If you want to mention "budgets to pay for it" then you need to start talking about TFS, Mast, AFR, etc...
To the OP. I've ran some of A.I.'s budget stuff and it's about worth 15-20rwhp depending on the application. If $500 is worth that to you, then go for it. However I will say that 243's can be had in the $250-300 range if you know where to look, and with a .020 resurface they're also going to give you that 15-20HP. Resurfacing at most machine shops will run you $75-100, so give or take you're spending about the same.
Not really, I looked into AI heads and they were about the same price as PRC heads EXCEPT with AI you supply the cores. For about $1000 you get the CNC work, but for around another $500 you get the springs,valves, retainers etc.
So they are significantly more $$ than PRC heads. That being said, people do claim they make a few ponies more than PRC. So if that entices you, the extra money may be worth it.
05-29-2012, 09:11 AM
#31
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Well I was referring to stock casting work lol...
Not really, I looked into AI heads and they were about the same price as PRC heads EXCEPT with AI you supply the cores. For about $1000 you get the CNC work, but for around another $500 you get the springs,valves, retainers etc.
So they are significantly more $$ than PRC heads. That being said, people do claim they make a few ponies more than PRC. So if that entices you, the extra money may be worth it.
Not really, I looked into AI heads and they were about the same price as PRC heads EXCEPT with AI you supply the cores. For about $1000 you get the CNC work, but for around another $500 you get the springs,valves, retainers etc.
So they are significantly more $$ than PRC heads. That being said, people do claim they make a few ponies more than PRC. So if that entices you, the extra money may be worth it.
05-29-2012, 11:08 AM
#32
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A.I.'s 226 program is $1000. Not talking about shipping, it is $1400 for full CNC work with no springs. Dual springs with titanium retainers can be had for around $250-275 range and AI will assemble them for you. That makes total price $1675 with springs.
TSP's stage 1 for $1125
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1391-pr...ted-heads.aspx
TSPs stage 2.5's are $1525, that's $150 less then A.I.
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-4-prc-s...ted-heads.aspx
Their stage 3's are $1900+.
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1177-pr...ted-heads.aspx
So are you comparing AIs stuff to cheaper options on the market, or the more expensive?????
Based on the above statement you are comparing AIs top level CNC work to TSPs stage 1 budget ported offering 
05-29-2012, 12:57 PM
#33
You're misinformed. Lets assume a core set of 243/799s are $400.
A.I.'s 226 program is $1000. Not talking about shipping, it is $1400 for full CNC work with no springs. Dual springs with titanium retainers can be had for around $250-275 range and AI will assemble them for you. That makes total price $1675 with springs.
TSP's stage 1 for $1125
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1391-pr...ted-heads.aspx
TSPs stage 2.5's are $1525, that's $150 less then A.I.
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-4-prc-s...ted-heads.aspx
Their stage 3's are $1900+.
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1177-pr...ted-heads.aspx
So are you comparing AIs stuff to cheaper options on the market, or the more expensive????? Based on the above statement you are comparing AIs top level CNC work to TSPs stage 1 budget ported offering
A.I.'s 226 program is $1000. Not talking about shipping, it is $1400 for full CNC work with no springs. Dual springs with titanium retainers can be had for around $250-275 range and AI will assemble them for you. That makes total price $1675 with springs.
TSP's stage 1 for $1125
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1391-pr...ted-heads.aspx
TSPs stage 2.5's are $1525, that's $150 less then A.I.
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-4-prc-s...ted-heads.aspx
Their stage 3's are $1900+.
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1177-pr...ted-heads.aspx
So are you comparing AIs stuff to cheaper options on the market, or the more expensive?????
Based on the above statement you are comparing AIs top level CNC work to TSPs stage 1 budget ported offering Don't forget AI heads don't come with valves either. AND you are assuming the cost of 243s and don't forget the $50-$75 for shipping each way.
BTW $525 for spring package, NO VALVES:
http://www.advancedinduction.com/LSX...cGMLS2Head.php
According to the site: Public math
$350-$500 for cores
$1000 for CNC work
$525 for springs/locks/retainers/seals
Looks like close to $2K with stock valves
Last edited by badazz81z28; 05-29-2012 at 01:16 PM.
05-29-2012, 10:56 PM
#34
Well I was referring to stock casting work lol...
Not really, I looked into AI heads and they were about the same price as PRC heads EXCEPT with AI you supply the cores. For about $1000 you get the CNC work, but for around another $500 you get the springs,valves, retainers etc.
So they are significantly more $$ than PRC heads. That being said, people do claim they make a few ponies more than PRC. So if that entices you, the extra money may be worth it.
Not really, I looked into AI heads and they were about the same price as PRC heads EXCEPT with AI you supply the cores. For about $1000 you get the CNC work, but for around another $500 you get the springs,valves, retainers etc.
So they are significantly more $$ than PRC heads. That being said, people do claim they make a few ponies more than PRC. So if that entices you, the extra money may be worth it.
I assume you have AI heads
Don't forget AI heads don't come with valves either. AND you are assuming the cost of 243s and don't forget the $50-$75 for shipping each way.
BTW $525 for spring package, NO VALVES:
http://www.advancedinduction.com/LSX...cGMLS2Head.php
According to the site: Public math
$350-$500 for cores
$1000 for CNC work
$525 for springs/locks/retainers/seals
Looks like close to $2K with stock valves
Don't forget AI heads don't come with valves either. AND you are assuming the cost of 243s and don't forget the $50-$75 for shipping each way.
BTW $525 for spring package, NO VALVES:
http://www.advancedinduction.com/LSX...cGMLS2Head.php
According to the site: Public math
$350-$500 for cores
$1000 for CNC work
$525 for springs/locks/retainers/seals
Looks like close to $2K with stock valves
A.I. also treats each individual set of heads as such. Valve location, chamber size, spring height, etc....All of it is nailed down to the number per request. Anyone who builds engines for a living understands the importance of these small things, and that's why I continue to use A.I. opposed to some others that mass-produce a product to feed the masses.
05-30-2012, 10:58 AM
#35
And just for giggles, here's a set I'm selling for $875 shipped with Patriot Dual golds already on them. 
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...referrerid=183
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...referrerid=183
05-30-2012, 12:42 PM
#37
Back to the original post...I am a cylinder head porter by trade. I have been porting these heads since they came out. Take it from me the 241's, 853's 806's all will get the job done in ported form. Unless you are running a cam with much greater lifts than. 600" you are giving up nothing to the 243's.
05-30-2012, 02:37 PM
#38
Kinda getting away from this post, but as a general question if the original springs were very worn/lazy/floating, you can see big increases just getting them back 100% or on OEM set ups I have seen more spring pressure help make better, cleaner power without damaging otherwise stock valve train.
Don't mind me, but just such a good question that no one really asks.
Don't mind me, but just such a good question that no one really asks.
05-30-2012, 09:48 PM
#40
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Locks and retainers come with most spring kits, including the ones I quoted, or they utilize the stock hardware....and AI uses the stock valves that come in the heads, their CNC program is designed to work well with them.
Complete with everything AI would need: About $180 shipped per head.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-GEN-III-5...#ht_2462wt_654
Complete with everything AI would need: About $180 shipped per head.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-GEN-III-5...#ht_2462wt_654