Finally pulling the trigger on parts!
02-08-2013, 09:48 PM
#1
Finally pulling the trigger on parts! I've racked my brain on here for a few months trying to get the best performing package that is reasonably priced and that will drive pretty well. This week I pulled the trigger on two of the biggest parts of the combo: heads and cam.
I've had a lot of great conversations with folks and ended up going with TEA Stage 2 LS6 Heads milled down to 62cc and a custom PatG spec'd EPS 230/234 114+2 camshaft. I wanted something that would drive nice and put up great power. After talking to Geoff @ EPS and Mike @ TEA I felt comfortable going with their products as well.
I'm not sure this is the right forum for this, but I would like to thank Martin@Tick. He put up with a lot from me and his cams look great. Martin, I'll be buying some stuff from Tick, so you have a customer for life. I also had good conversations with Ed Curtis but decided to go with a little tamer cam. The service that Geoff offers for cam doctoring is what really swayed it for me. That helps when you're buying heads and cams from different vendors.
The guys at TSP were informative as well with their heads as was Tony Mamo @ AFR and Phil @ Ai. I also want to thank Brian Tooley for getting me onto these heads in the first place. Brian, if I had a set of 243s, I would have sent them to you for magic - but I still have a lot of valvetrain stuff I'll be getting from you. But Mike had new castings in stock and that helped my decision.
I want to thank them for taking them time to answers my emails and PMs and give me a lot of good information. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the companies/individuals listed.
In the end, the TEA heads simply performed the best for the price and mated up well to the cam for the combo I was looking for.
I'll keep everyone updated on the rest of the build as I continue to assemble parts and then I'll probably start a build thread. I hope to provide as much information/rationale for why I selected certain parts to help others who are weighing their options.
I've had a lot of great conversations with folks and ended up going with TEA Stage 2 LS6 Heads milled down to 62cc and a custom PatG spec'd EPS 230/234 114+2 camshaft. I wanted something that would drive nice and put up great power. After talking to Geoff @ EPS and Mike @ TEA I felt comfortable going with their products as well.
I'm not sure this is the right forum for this, but I would like to thank Martin@Tick. He put up with a lot from me and his cams look great. Martin, I'll be buying some stuff from Tick, so you have a customer for life. I also had good conversations with Ed Curtis but decided to go with a little tamer cam. The service that Geoff offers for cam doctoring is what really swayed it for me. That helps when you're buying heads and cams from different vendors.
The guys at TSP were informative as well with their heads as was Tony Mamo @ AFR and Phil @ Ai. I also want to thank Brian Tooley for getting me onto these heads in the first place. Brian, if I had a set of 243s, I would have sent them to you for magic - but I still have a lot of valvetrain stuff I'll be getting from you. But Mike had new castings in stock and that helped my decision.
I want to thank them for taking them time to answers my emails and PMs and give me a lot of good information. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the companies/individuals listed.
In the end, the TEA heads simply performed the best for the price and mated up well to the cam for the combo I was looking for.
I'll keep everyone updated on the rest of the build as I continue to assemble parts and then I'll probably start a build thread. I hope to provide as much information/rationale for why I selected certain parts to help others who are weighing their options.
02-09-2013, 12:45 PM
#2
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What is the projected peak power rpm for that cam on 114LSA? Any advance? I have the same grind but on 111+3.
Very interested in your results youve done your homework for sure. Will you need to flycut with the chamber volume you are using?
Very interested in your results youve done your homework for sure. Will you need to flycut with the chamber volume you are using?
02-09-2013, 02:09 PM
#3
Peak is still about 6300 due to the FAST. Should carry to 6800ish however. With a .040" Cometic I'm at 11.3:1 and 8.5:1. A little lower than I wanted but it should clear and drive nice with only 4 degrees of overlap. That's why I didnt go tighter on the LSA. Ideally a 60cc chamber would be best. But itll work well with the summer heat.
02-09-2013, 02:41 PM
#6
Thanks, Bro.
Btw, when I talked to Mike @ TEA we discussed the turned-down LS3 valves. He didn't think the cam warranted the lighter valves. They are endurance lobes and honestly, it won't carry into the 7200-7400 range where those valves shine over the Ferrea valves. So, I decided against the upgrade since I won't see any difference.
Edit: I decided to go with the LS3 at the last min. Weight on the valve-side is always the enemy!
Btw, when I talked to Mike @ TEA we discussed the turned-down LS3 valves. He didn't think the cam warranted the lighter valves. They are endurance lobes and honestly, it won't carry into the 7200-7400 range where those valves shine over the Ferrea valves. So, I decided against the upgrade since I won't see any difference.
Edit: I decided to go with the LS3 at the last min. Weight on the valve-side is always the enemy!
Last edited by JakeFusion; 04-24-2013 at 02:41 AM.
Trending Topics
02-09-2013, 02:49 PM
#8
Sure:
Engine
GM LSX Block 4.185" Bore
K1 4340 Forged 4.000" Stroke Crankshaft w/24X Reluctor
K1 4340 Forged 6.125” H-Beam Rods w/ARP2000 Bolts
Wiseco 2618 Forged 4.185" Pistons w/-8cc Flat Tops (11.85:1 CR)
Wiseco GFM Stainless Steel .047"-.047"-3.0mm Ring Package
Wiseco Tool Steel .200" Wall Wrist Pins
Clevite H Series MS2199H Main Bearings
Clevite H Series CB663HN Rod Bearings
ARP 234-5608 Main Stud Kit
SPS Haymaker 265 LS3 Cylinder Heads 66cc Chambers
PAC 1209X Dual Valve Spring Kit w/Ti Retainers
Cam Motion LLR 247/259 .688"/.671" 113.5+4.5 LSA Camshaft
Cam Motion 3/8" Diameter .135" Wall Hardened Chrome-Moly Pushrods
Cam Motion Solid Roller Lifters (Tie Bar Style w/Axle Oiling)
T&D 2455 Shaft Mount 1.7:1 Roller Rocker Arms
Cometic 4.200" Bore .040" Compressed MLS Head Gaskets
ARP 234-4317 Head Stud Kit
Cloyes CR5 Roller Billet Adjustable Timing Set w/LS2 Dampener
Melling 10294 Low Volume Oil Pump
Improved Racing Crank Scraper & Windage Tray
Holley 4" Stroke (302-3) Trap-Door Baffled Oil Pan
GM LS2 Waterpump & SLP 160 Degree Thermostat
BeCool Aluminum Radiator
ATI Super Damper SFI Harmonic Balancer (10% Underdrive)
FIC Flow-Matched Bosch 47bs Injectors & FAST Billet Fuel Rails
Racetronix Walbro 255 Fuel Pump w/Upgraded Wiring Harness
Firecore50 Spark Plug Wires & NGK TR6 Spark Plugs
Holley Tall LS Valve Covers & Delphi LS7 Coils
MAD Ported FAST LSXR 102 LS3 Med Runner Intake w/NW 102 TB
FTP 104mm Lid w/4" Silicone Coupler
Kooks 1-7/8" Stainless Longtube Race Headers
Kooks 3" True Dual Exhaust w/DynoMax UltraFlo SS Mufflers
Norris Motorsports Billet Aluminum PCV Catch Can
Kurt Urban Vapor Vent System
Hayden Power Steering Cooler
Katech Billet Belt Tensioner & Gates RPM V-Belt
Drivetrain
CircleD 2E 4000 Stall Torque Converter
Hughes HP-4004X SFI Flexplate
FLT Level 6 4L65E Automatic Transmission
B&M 70266 Supercooler Trans Cooler w/-6AN Fittings and Braided Hoses
Driveshaft Shop 3.5" Aluminum Driveshaft w/Sonnax Forged Yoke
Strange 12-Bolt 33-Spline Rearend w/3.73 Gears & Eaton HD Posi
Suspension/Brakes/Wheels/Tires:
Koni SA 4/4 Shocks
BMR Lowering Springs
BMR 35mm Hollow Front and 22mm Rear Swaybars
BMR Panhard Bar Relocation Kit
BMR Full-Length Adjustable Torque Arm
BMR Driveshaft Safety Loop
UMI Transmission Relocation Crossmember
UMI On-Car Adjustable Lower Control Arms with Roto-Joint
UMI On-Car Adjustable Panhard Bar with Roto-Joint
UMI Weld-In Boxed Subframe Connectors
Brakemotive Drilled/Slotted Rotors
Hawk HPS Brake Pads
J&M Products Stainless Steel Brake Line Kit
SJM Line Lock Kit and ABS Delete
Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid
UMI Rubber Bumpstops
Billet Specialties Street Lites 17x9.5 Front and 17x11" Rear Wheels
Nitto NT05 275/40-17 Tires & NT05R 315/35-17 Drag Radials
Other:
BLS V2 Bi-Xenon Kit (5000K)
6LE Seats
GeoShield DMC 5% Ceramic Tint All Around
Optima Yellow Top Dry Cell Battery
Mechman Racing 170A Alternator
HP Tuners Pro and Ballenger AFR500 Wideband O2
Pioneer DEH-80PRS
Sundown Audio SAE-1100.5 5-Channel AB/D Amplifier
Stereo Integrity M25 Tweeters
Stereo Integrity TM65 MKII Midbass Drivers
Arc 12s Subwoofers
Subthump 12" Sealed T-Top Enclosure
Engine
GM LSX Block 4.185" Bore
K1 4340 Forged 4.000" Stroke Crankshaft w/24X Reluctor
K1 4340 Forged 6.125” H-Beam Rods w/ARP2000 Bolts
Wiseco 2618 Forged 4.185" Pistons w/-8cc Flat Tops (11.85:1 CR)
Wiseco GFM Stainless Steel .047"-.047"-3.0mm Ring Package
Wiseco Tool Steel .200" Wall Wrist Pins
Clevite H Series MS2199H Main Bearings
Clevite H Series CB663HN Rod Bearings
ARP 234-5608 Main Stud Kit
SPS Haymaker 265 LS3 Cylinder Heads 66cc Chambers
PAC 1209X Dual Valve Spring Kit w/Ti Retainers
Cam Motion LLR 247/259 .688"/.671" 113.5+4.5 LSA Camshaft
Cam Motion 3/8" Diameter .135" Wall Hardened Chrome-Moly Pushrods
Cam Motion Solid Roller Lifters (Tie Bar Style w/Axle Oiling)
T&D 2455 Shaft Mount 1.7:1 Roller Rocker Arms
Cometic 4.200" Bore .040" Compressed MLS Head Gaskets
ARP 234-4317 Head Stud Kit
Cloyes CR5 Roller Billet Adjustable Timing Set w/LS2 Dampener
Melling 10294 Low Volume Oil Pump
Improved Racing Crank Scraper & Windage Tray
Holley 4" Stroke (302-3) Trap-Door Baffled Oil Pan
GM LS2 Waterpump & SLP 160 Degree Thermostat
BeCool Aluminum Radiator
ATI Super Damper SFI Harmonic Balancer (10% Underdrive)
FIC Flow-Matched Bosch 47bs Injectors & FAST Billet Fuel Rails
Racetronix Walbro 255 Fuel Pump w/Upgraded Wiring Harness
Firecore50 Spark Plug Wires & NGK TR6 Spark Plugs
Holley Tall LS Valve Covers & Delphi LS7 Coils
MAD Ported FAST LSXR 102 LS3 Med Runner Intake w/NW 102 TB
FTP 104mm Lid w/4" Silicone Coupler
Kooks 1-7/8" Stainless Longtube Race Headers
Kooks 3" True Dual Exhaust w/DynoMax UltraFlo SS Mufflers
Norris Motorsports Billet Aluminum PCV Catch Can
Kurt Urban Vapor Vent System
Hayden Power Steering Cooler
Katech Billet Belt Tensioner & Gates RPM V-Belt
Drivetrain
CircleD 2E 4000 Stall Torque Converter
Hughes HP-4004X SFI Flexplate
FLT Level 6 4L65E Automatic Transmission
B&M 70266 Supercooler Trans Cooler w/-6AN Fittings and Braided Hoses
Driveshaft Shop 3.5" Aluminum Driveshaft w/Sonnax Forged Yoke
Strange 12-Bolt 33-Spline Rearend w/3.73 Gears & Eaton HD Posi
Suspension/Brakes/Wheels/Tires:
Koni SA 4/4 Shocks
BMR Lowering Springs
BMR 35mm Hollow Front and 22mm Rear Swaybars
BMR Panhard Bar Relocation Kit
BMR Full-Length Adjustable Torque Arm
BMR Driveshaft Safety Loop
UMI Transmission Relocation Crossmember
UMI On-Car Adjustable Lower Control Arms with Roto-Joint
UMI On-Car Adjustable Panhard Bar with Roto-Joint
UMI Weld-In Boxed Subframe Connectors
Brakemotive Drilled/Slotted Rotors
Hawk HPS Brake Pads
J&M Products Stainless Steel Brake Line Kit
SJM Line Lock Kit and ABS Delete
Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid
UMI Rubber Bumpstops
Billet Specialties Street Lites 17x9.5 Front and 17x11" Rear Wheels
Nitto NT05 275/40-17 Tires & NT05R 315/35-17 Drag Radials
Other:
BLS V2 Bi-Xenon Kit (5000K)
6LE Seats
GeoShield DMC 5% Ceramic Tint All Around
Optima Yellow Top Dry Cell Battery
Mechman Racing 170A Alternator
HP Tuners Pro and Ballenger AFR500 Wideband O2
Pioneer DEH-80PRS
Sundown Audio SAE-1100.5 5-Channel AB/D Amplifier
Stereo Integrity M25 Tweeters
Stereo Integrity TM65 MKII Midbass Drivers
Arc 12s Subwoofers
Subthump 12" Sealed T-Top Enclosure
Last edited by JakeFusion; 06-04-2019 at 08:32 PM.
02-09-2013, 07:05 PM
#10
Can't wait to see your results. Looks like you really thought out everything well. It's obvious you spent extra money in the right places i.e. Manton pushrods, Morel Lifters, ARP bolts, ATI dampener (vs. a cheap one), etc.
Can't see a single thing I would change if it was my car. Nice job!
Can't see a single thing I would change if it was my car. Nice job!
02-09-2013, 07:27 PM
#11
I have a budget so picking where to spend the money is important. I don't want to buy things more than once, so I tried to anticipate future plans with the build as well as the current build and chose accordingly. Sometimes I just wanted to overbuild because I wouldn't feel comfortable not spending the extra few bucks for peace of mind...
02-10-2013, 11:42 AM
#13
The aftermarket castings have a lot of features most people don't need and don't want to pay for. The performance difference isn't much either. With factory castings you end up with a lighter head that can accept lighter OEM valve train components without compromising reliability.
02-10-2013, 11:55 AM
#14
nice build man, looking forward to seeing results
another +1 to the boys at TSP as well as Martin at Tick. Excellent service and really easy to talk to. I haven't dealt with the others you mentioned personally, but it seems this forum is blessed with a lot of great sponsors. In my correspondence with Martin when deciding on a cam and some other things, I think one of his replies was sent at 12:30 am. That's dedication right there!
another +1 to the boys at TSP as well as Martin at Tick. Excellent service and really easy to talk to. I haven't dealt with the others you mentioned personally, but it seems this forum is blessed with a lot of great sponsors. In my correspondence with Martin when deciding on a cam and some other things, I think one of his replies was sent at 12:30 am. That's dedication right there!
02-11-2013, 08:50 AM
#15
nice build man, looking forward to seeing results
another +1 to the boys at TSP as well as Martin at Tick. Excellent service and really easy to talk to. I haven't dealt with the others you mentioned personally, but it seems this forum is blessed with a lot of great sponsors. In my correspondence with Martin when deciding on a cam and some other things, I think one of his replies was sent at 12:30 am. That's dedication right there!
another +1 to the boys at TSP as well as Martin at Tick. Excellent service and really easy to talk to. I haven't dealt with the others you mentioned personally, but it seems this forum is blessed with a lot of great sponsors. In my correspondence with Martin when deciding on a cam and some other things, I think one of his replies was sent at 12:30 am. That's dedication right there!
