Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Head Options for Mild Street Build (Ls1)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 16, 2013 | 09:40 PM
  #1  
ckpitt55's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
10 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 823
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default Head Options for Mild Street Build (Ls1)

I am in the middle of an LS1 build, the block is ready to be sent to the machine shop for deck plate honing, main journal align honing, and balancing of the rotating assembly. It's going to end up as a 347, with 11:1 / 8.5:1 (SCR/DCR) numbers in mind.

After I got quotes for the head work required to bring the 241's up to where I want them to be (~$250 for a valve job, ~$300 for a 0.020" mill (more $$ for extra milling, and all the associated replacement seals etc.), I got to looking at aftermarket heads. For the same total price for what it'd take to get the 241' worked and assembled or less, I could end up with something that's going to flow much better than worked 241's would.

I was considering something like the PRC Stage 1.0 ported LS6's, but noticed most of their gains in flow over the 241's come in the upper to mid lift region. From what I've read low lift flow seems to be important for torque - I'm looking to build a motor for area under the curve. I don't care about peak hp so much as I do grunt from a dig, as it's going to be primarily a street car and my DD. Can anyone give me some pointers on head selection, given my budget and goals?

Thanks for your time,
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2013 | 09:46 PM
  #2  
poltergeist 02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
iTrader: (65)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 3
Default

you could always just use stock 799 or 243 heads.
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2013 | 09:52 PM
  #3  
lemons12's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (71)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,088
Likes: 2
From: Winchester, TN
Default

I have the heads from my 346 setup if you are interested. They perform awesome and are budget friendly.

A 5.3 2.5 head would be a much better choice for what you want if you are looking at a prc ls6 head. They make way better low and mid range power.
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2013 | 09:56 PM
  #4  
senicalj4579's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 24
Default

I would just do the prc 5.3 heads. Great deal and it will get you what you want. If not then I would call mike at tea and have those 241s done.
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2013 | 10:57 PM
  #5  
ckpitt55's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
10 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 823
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

thanks guys, I'll check into the 5.3 heads. seems as though they'll give me every bit of the compression I want without milling which is a plus.

Originally Posted by lemons12
I have the heads from my 346 setup if you are interested. They perform awesome and are budget friendly.

A 5.3 2.5 head would be a much better choice for what you want if you are looking at a prc ls6 head. They make way better low and mid range power.
what heads were you running on your 346?
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2013 | 11:01 PM
  #6  
HCI2000SS's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,137
Likes: 20
From: Howell & Fenton MI
Default

I'm really happy with the 5.3 heads. Awesome midrange power IMO
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2013 | 12:31 AM
  #7  
lemons12's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (71)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,088
Likes: 2
From: Winchester, TN
Default

Set of 317s. They were milled thirty and ported... I ran 7.2-7.3s @ 95+ in 2200+DA with a nitrous tune in the car. 3500# 226 cam, stock ls6 intake, 1 3/4 headers ory and magnaflow, etc.. The heads do work.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2013 | 06:44 AM
  #8  
low2001gmc's Avatar
MASS seller approved
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (150)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 177
From: ELSA, South TEXAS (956) 802-7700
Default

243s will be best for now and down the road (porting). stock will work great up to 600 lift. of course ported down the road even better. good luck with your project
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 17, 2013 | 08:53 AM
  #9  
ckpitt55's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
10 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 823
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

just found this thread, seems to be pretty relevant haha

ported 243's or stage 2.5 5.3 heads

I'm considering a 228 cam - is it just me or is there a lot more area under the curve with the 5.3 heads from 3k to 4.5k, disregarding peak numbers (both cars used the 228R).

edit: maybe it's just the scaling that's throwing me off, numbers seem to be pretty consistent, with the ls6 peak coming later in the rpm band

2.5 LS6's:



2.5 5.3's:


Last edited by ckpitt55; Jan 17, 2013 at 09:01 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2013 | 01:18 PM
  #10  
andy9743's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Default

i called tsp for the same type of situation they recommended that i go with the 2.5's over the 1.0 heads...i'm building a DD type car also.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:51 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE