TurboMonte100

iTrader: (1)

I agree with Adamantium. And if I were wanting a budget sollution aftermarket head, I would try a set of cnc Procomps on Feebay at 699 or best offer. I have bought both Procomp sbc and bbc heads from this seller and have been happy with them.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

For his goals a good gm casting with AI port work would suit him very well. But in the future with the tfs all he would have to do is send them to them to be ported and fitted for different valves. Just saying... Its an option, and they are nice heads.

adamantium

iTrader: (3)

So adding PM guides is $75 upgrade? I could've sworn it was more. Thats nice to know.

Also something else to consider the springs that the trickflow heads come with might not suffice his custom cam.

Its pretty close now that i look at it. Very close between OEM castings and the TFS.

$400 for the 243s (could've cut more off if he found some 799's)
$995 for the 226cc porting from AI
$219 for BTR spring kit
$140 Trunion upgrade(cheapest ive found from a quick search)
(optional) $200 for bigger stainless valves.


$1775 for the trickflows with the PM guides.
$140 trunion upgrade
$?? for the spring upgrade if he needs it.

FormulaTA327

damn, these are all good points fellas, say if i did go with the 243s with AI, they have these options im not to sure about:
Bronze Guide Liners installed & honed to ideal clearances to refurbish worn out guides. - Cost: $125
Replace OEM guides with Full Bronze Guides & hone to ideal clearances - Cost: $250
which should one of these options is recommended?

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

You dont want bronze guides. If you go bronze ypu will need roller rockers.

FormulaTA327

i can get those btr springs for $195, but not sure if its a kit. I got $1395 for the 243 heads with the machining, i havnt factored in the two options on post#24 or spring kit and trunion upgrade. $1695 for the tfs 220 with springs i may not be able to use but good head for future upgrades

FormulaTA327

so i dont need neither of those two options then just so i have that right.

adamantium

iTrader: (3)

Really?

I thought that applied only to aftermarket castings. I was lead to believe that you needed rockers with bronze guides because of the valve geometry of the aftermarket castings. The Powdered metal stuff from what i have read just is more resistant to the abuse from the stock rockers on aftermarket heads valvetrain geometry..

Can someone clarify this?

Well from what i always hear from AI and other porters is the OEM powdered metal guides don't usually need replacing. Replacing with bronze would be more $ with no benefit.


Can someone with some hands on knowledge chime in on this?

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

Non roller rockers on bronze valve guides wear them prematurely. Most of the time its geometry related. Now having said that some aftermarket heads come with bronze guides, but with a custom rocker rail. My aftermarket LS3 heads from tsp are that way and you can run either option without worry.

mac62989

iTrader: (1)

Over 400 isnt hard at all, hell you can do that cam only. Would you be happy with 410 rwhp or closer to 450? Over 400 is kind of vague but if your just looking to break 400 to the wheels you can stick with 241s or 5.3 heads. Didnt look what year your car is or transmission but heres some links that I think illistrate a simple approach that produces good numbers while being "somewhat" easy on the wallet.

M6 with 5.3s

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...-gm-5-3-a.html

A4 with 241s

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...m-results.html

M6 with High Compression 241s

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...o-results.html

adamantium

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for clarifying, im a bit used to imports where bronze guides really don't affect anything.


OP honestly if you are dead set on dyno #'s then you can easily do it cam only. Personally id be more worried about how the car performs, only way to tell that is at the track with trap speeds. Ive seen low 4xxwhp f-bodys go within a car length of lightened high 5xxwhp-low 6xxwhp cobras. Dyno's are tools for tuning. GL!

FormulaTA327

those tfs 220s come with bronze guides, which sucks cause i want to run stock trunion upgraded rockers, but i can run them with that powder coat (extra $75). this is what i came up with
TFS 220s-$1695, btr spring kit-$219, Trunion upgrade-$140, BTR lifters-$190, powder coat guides $75 with a total of $2319

AI 232cc head (243s)- heads $400, machine price $995, BTR spring kit $219, Trunion upgrade $140, BTR lifters $190 with a total of $1944

I would end up saving $375 with the AI 232cc heads but fully modified and trickflows not.
Hard decision to make, since its so close of pricing it would prob be a better investment to get the tfs 220s

adamantium

iTrader: (3)

Just go with what ever fits your budget best, both those heads are proven to work! Good luck!

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

FYI the trick flows are even cheaper if you buy them bare wothout the springs. That would recoupe about $200

TurboMonte100

iTrader: (1)

Here is a comparison that Hot Rod mag done on heads, interesting that the Procomps performed the best. (made the highest hp)
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...t/viewall.html

I have been cutting on a set of 317s for a week now for my current project, but after more thinking I am just about to order a set of these at 699.

LS1T56FTW

iTrader: (3)

You will never beat the value of PRC's 5.3 heads. Nuff said.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

Yea... We just kinda did..

427zm

iTrader: (9)

Heck, a fresh set of LS6 stage 2.5 Texas Speed Heads will run you $1600. That's with dual valve springs, and setup perfect for the trunnion upgrade. Or if you have a set of 243's to send in it will be something like $400 less!

In you est. cost, don't forget, head gaskets, header gaskets, intake gaskets( may not be needed), pushrods, spark plugs (mine as well), and tune.

I'm sure Jake Fusion is about to chime in here, I just started the infamous ported head war; TSP v AI v WCCH v TEA. Here we go......

427zm

iTrader: (9)

True, true.

TXZ28LS1

iTrader: (5)

THIS!!!

If i ever do a H/C combo, it will be with some stage 2 LS6 heads.