andy9743

guys,
need some input here. taking my car (1999 c5 frc) to mike norris http://www.mikenorrismotorsports.com/
to have a cam installed along with timing set, oil pump etc...the car is new to me and i added some performance parts. was looking to get it dyno tuned and my regular tuner suggested that i replace the oil pump and valve springs because of miles..so i might as well upgrade while i'm replacing. after speaking with mike he suggested a custom grind cam for my application (don't remember specs it was fairly mild) i asked him if lifters/lifter trays would be good to replace while it was tore down also, he said it was up to me they don't go bad often but my car does have over 120k on it and it wouldn't be a bad idea. if i'm having him replace the lifters the heads will be off anyhow...he suggested several different heads in the $2-2500 price range and i told him that was more then i wanted to get into. he said he has a local machine shop that will cnc port my stock heads for closer to 1k new valves etc, he stated that he works with this shop alot and he trusts their work, good enough for me. he said that i can expect the ported heads to net 20-25 hp.

car currently has longtubes, x-pipe, catback, halltech cai and he will be installing an ls6 intake manifold with a 90mm tb and underdrive pulley. the head work and labor will double the cost of the cam install from 2k to 4k (rough numbers, between porting them and the install) my struggle is if i "need" to have the head work done. my car is a cruiser, it'll never see the track ever but i also understand that if i ever wanted to have the heads worked at all now is the time while its apart. i have no hp goal just would like it to be a bit faster (don't we all?) mike also suggested i upgrade injectors as my 99 has small injectors.

questions:
will the 20-25 hp that he estimated the ported heads would gain be worth it for the estimated cost? (seems like alot of $ for the gains, but will my cam/other mods work better with the porting?)

i'm totally back and forth about this...i'd like the piece of mind that the entire top of the engine is new, along with the extra power but would i be happy with a cam only? part of the issue is i don't have anything to compare my car to. i'm guessing form what i've read that the porting, mild cam, full bolt ons, ls6 intake will make around or a bit above 400hp. anyone have an idea where i am now with full exhaust, cai and tune? (po had no idea)

spend the $ on the heads or not?!?!? any opinions/thoughts? i'm not made of money but if i'm ever to do anything like this now is the time..


thanks guys

mvrotc

iTrader: (4)

just to points of into for you

I HIGHLY recommend doing the lifters , i had an ls1 with 110k on on it did a mild cam and TWO lifters failed from the increased strain , they get tired , theyre cheap....replace them

Second since you have the heads off id pick up a set of 243 heads off the classifieds here for a few hundred bucks and have them ported youll see great gains, Good flowing heads not only make the cam breath much better but allow better drive ability overall its a good idea

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

youre not far from me then if youre going to mike norris, his shop is all of maybe 20 mins from my house.

Heads are definetly worth the upgrade and make fatter gains with a cam.
some heads you should look into: Trick flow as cast 220cc

lifters, Id reaplce them FOR SURE and with something better than LS7s. Im going with brian tooleys SLR lifters for $200.

dr_whigham

iTrader: (49)

Please do lifters. I myself went with LS7's and have no issues, but I checked them out before I installed them too. The SLR's that Tainted speak of are great as well, as I know for a fact Brian wouldn't sell ****.

I have to agree with mvrotc on the heads as well. Some 243/799 would serve you well. Where does your car really live though? You could extract some great "under the curve" power with some TSP 5.3's or AI 241's for that matter. If the cam is mild I don't see the need for the aftermarket casting, when you can get a better bang for your buck elsewhere.

You're pulling the heads for lifters and trays anyways (which I think we can all agree needs to happen). At a bare minimum I'd throw a set of stock 243/799's on there. Even if you get 125 bucks on Craigslist for your stock heads, stock 243/799's are only around 450 shipped. You're not coming far oput of pocket.

andy9743

thanks for the replies guys these are exactly the resposes i was hoping for! i'm slightly confused though, what heads do i have on the car now assuming they are stock (which i'm 99% sure they are)? would i be better off buying stock 243/799 heads and not porting my stock heads or buying the 243/799 AND porting those heads?

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

You have either 853, or 241 castings. The ls6 or 243, 799s are what you want if you are looking for a factory head. You can just as easily buy some already ported and slightly used for a good price. If you got the coin though, those trick flows would be great....

andy9743

the trick flows appear to be nice but they're pushing the 2k mark...i have the $ to part with i just don't know if i want to! seems like the 799's are available on the cheap on craigslist if im paying to have them ported am i further ahead getting the 243/799 and having them ported vs having my stock heads ported?

andy9743

http://dayton.craigslist.org/pts/3534576974.html
something like this?

or
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/pts/3555036602.html

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

Ahhhh fayettenam NC

Enjoy that hell hole. look out for the ****** on bragg blvd and ramesy st a lot of them are trannys




But yes

FAD2BLK93

This is a C5...does it have 243's already? You might want to consider trunion upgrade as well. I would look into the cnc work from advanced induction for $999.00. Great power numbers from top to bottom, for a great price!! Just my .02.

LS1T56FTW

iTrader: (3)

I would look into TSP's head/cam kits. When I did my 5.3 heads with a custom cam it ended up costing like $1700 or a hair under. If you look at doing a cam by itself, valve springs, timing chain, etc. etc. it costs like 1200 or so (parts only). Definitely worth the ~500 extra dollars to do that kit. Go with a nice 228/232 cam and a set of their 5.3 heads or their LS6 heads ("stage 2.5" or whatever). You will not regret the powerband you will get from that one bit.

Codytaylor90

I wouldn't go all out and get an expensive set of heads.
I would pick up a set of 243 or 799 heads and that will be good. U can't also still get them machined and u will be around 1000-1500 depending on what u get the heads for. This will be a noticeable change in power and is worth is with your other upgrades

garygnu

check out Texas Speed for a head/cam combo,ported 5.3 heads are $1300.you can get trick flow 220 cast ,or TSP PRC 225 cast heads for $1700.also consider some 243/799 heads for $400,good for 15 more hp over your current heads.a TSP 224r cam 114lsa will work with a stock converter.

andy9743

car is a c5 but im not sure what heads are on it, it is a 6 speed car. my tuner wasn't overly thrilled with tsp heads, i'm not sure why i have no experience but it seems like alot of people like them? what about the trick flow as cast heads?

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

The trick flows are nicer than a gm casting, can be ported if you want more power in the future, and I still think they would perform better.

Your car probably has 241 heads on it

andy9743

will the trick flows unported out preform my stock ported heads or a set of ported 243/799 heads?

thanks again for the replies

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

they will be better than the ls1 heads, the ls6 heads will be a little closer but id still give the edge to trick flows especially in the future if you ever want to have them ported more.

in general, the TFS are down about 10hp from the full cnc 215 version

LS1T56FTW

iTrader: (3)

Doesn't like making a lot of HP or what? Even with your weight advantage I would still run you regardless of the heads you put on your car. (i.e. AFR/TFS, whatever) and I bet I would give you a run for your money (p.s. with my cheapo budget built 5.3 heads).

andy9743

idk just what he told me...my car will never see the strip which is also part of my struggle of what i need or should spend while its apart. i'm sure i could find something used that will be better then my ported stock heads (i'm not against used at all) but idk wtf i'm looking for to know whats a deal!

Syris

iTrader: (1)

for the Bang for the Buck, get a heads cam kit from Texas Speed.