I guess the other question is: what's your budget?

For example, the TSP heads, AI heads, TFS As Cast, etc are all much cheaper options than AFR 215s, TFS 215s, etc.

Hell if you have an ungodly amount of cash, just get Mamofied AFR 215s.

 

I believe I've got it narrowed down pretty good. Just head bolts or studs, thats the question.

 

Vote for studs

 

I bought a head install gasket kit from Summit for like 130 bucks, every gasket/bolt required. Stock bolts are fine for everything up to 100-150ish shot of the juice. Not worth the extra money for studs unless you are going with more giggle gas than that.

 

I'd go with the ARP Head Bolts. The GM TTYL is HORRIBLE to deal with... ugh.

 

1 vote for studs

1 vote for bolts

And 1 vote for GM TTY bolts. I'm assuming you mentioned the stock bolts "mostly" due to the good deal you got on the whole kit.

Thanks for the responses, after some research I'm personally leaning towards ARP Bolts myself. I just wanted to see what others used/preferred...etc. If I were making more power I would do studs for sure, but in my case bolts will be sufficient.

 

I def agree with you there

 

I'm studded as well

 

For real. I still can't get over how many people get cams from Vendors that use them. Sad

I know AI cams are not Comp cams so a vote from them if you go that route

 

Almost the entire aftermarket sells/uses the comp cam grinds. AI sells them as well. You guys do have my attention though. I figured a cam from anywhere is still going to have to be degreed. I'm just curious why everyone is dissatisfied with their cams. Are they really that off/bad (out of spec)?

 

EPS will cam doctor it for you if you purchase a custom cam through Geoff or PatrickG.

 

Total Engine Airflow Stage 2 LS6 head have my attention. I have emailed AI and TEA both to see what setups they can help me come up with.

I'd be content with either TSP, AI or TEA but being that they are so easily comparable with one another, the final verdict will more than likely come down to price.


Any input on the TEA Stage 2 heads?

 

Incorrect. Many vendors do not(Futral probably the biggest sponsor) and AI does not use them. Cam Motion and Lunati are better than that Comp Cam crap. Not sure if Ed Curtis uses Comp or not. Have seen too many failures and junk cams from Comp in person. Beware

 

There's also Crane Cams as another option.

 

Thanks for the heads up, and I will take your advice and step away from any comp cam grinds. Just to note, AI will grind you a comp cam spec'd camshaft, but will have their in house quality control department "doctor" the cam to its closest tolerances. Any who, like I said I appreciate the info.

I will probably have Ai grind my camshaft regardless of where I go. I do appreciate the responses from all.

I'm intrigued to hear about these heads I have mentioned and how they could compare to one another.

 

Comp sends you a pre-printed cam spec sheet. Cam Motion gives you a cam DR sheet on YOUR cam. Some that have cam DR'd a Comp cam say the specs were way off. You're not really even getting the cam you're buying. Sad but true. Plus several people here locally have lost entire engines due to cam failures (within 100 miles of install) and Comp won't man up to it.

 

I've used both comp cams and lunati and had luck with both. The only problem I ever had was actually with a lunati. I've also heard several times that lunati specs are all over the place. I would still use either company though. No cam company is going to give you the exact specs everytime. And everyone wants to blame the cam company when you have a vendor selling all out race lobe for daily drivers with stock rockers. It says right in the lobe catalog THESE LOBES ARE VERY HARD ON VALETRAIN. Also you can cam doctor all day but what about the tolerances in your timing gears, timing chain, and crankshaft keyway. You still dont know what you have unless you degree it.

 

Hi
If I will h/c. Absolutely the TEA TF 215s will be my choice they have nice flow
And for the cam I think Pat G made perfect cam for setup like this

I made 445rwhp and 404tq. My setup was cam only from Pat G.

 

i running a fast 102 , prc 227 and a pat g cam , 42 lb injectors as well , its a beats combo , the prc 227 are great heads

 

I have seriously considered taking out my EPS cam and going with a Cam Motion grind. After talking to Damian and reading several of your posts I've thought about switching cams before I have my car retuned.

I degreed my EPS cam when I put it in. The ICL was off by four degrees so I moved it. Everyone told me I was nuts and it couldn't be off that much including Geoff so I moved it back dot to dot against my better judgment. I didn't have it Cam doctored because I didn't know about all the problems Comp had at the time.