Heads for 460+ WHP
Bingo.
Talk to some of the header porters around like Brian Tooley. They'll tell you the same thing. The LS6 becomes more of a restriction the more the head flows. The FAST, especially the 102, really allows any head to shine, even a budget head.
Btw, Ai and TEA heads are easily within 10HP of TFS/AFR. I'd say even closer from what I've seen, especially with the hand-blended Stage 2 LS6 from TEA. The hand-touched CNC stuff from AFR might be slightly further ahead, but by that time you're in over $3k+ for the heads.
Talk to some of the header porters around like Brian Tooley. They'll tell you the same thing. The LS6 becomes more of a restriction the more the head flows. The FAST, especially the 102, really allows any head to shine, even a budget head.
Btw, Ai and TEA heads are easily within 10HP of TFS/AFR. I'd say even closer from what I've seen, especially with the hand-blended Stage 2 LS6 from TEA. The hand-touched CNC stuff from AFR might be slightly further ahead, but by that time you're in over $3k+ for the heads.
I totally agree. I didn't mean to come off so harsh in my post, but I get so damn tired of dumb "blanket satements" like the one that was made. Like you said, a set of AI or TEA heads, coupled with a FAST intake is going to cost around the same as a set of AFR or TFS heads. I used to be completely against CNC'd stock castings, but as I've done more research and looked at the numbers and track times these combos are putting down, I've jumped ship. If your car mostly as street car that will see some track time, then the stock casting CNC'd heads are the way to go and give you within 10 hp of what the AFR or TFS heads will. Now, if you're building a dedicated drag car that needs every last ounce of power, then going with AFR or TFS heads is going to be the better option.
Excellent discussion guys. Looks like I will be going with the CNC'D 5.3 heads with a 61cc chamber. Static and Dynamic compression should be 8.3:1 and 11.01:1 respectively with the TV2 cam. The extra cash will go towards a fast92 set up.
Go blow your budget on some AFR/TFS heads and come run me after I put my FAST 92 on my car, I really would like to see if the heads that are double the cost will make you pull an inch on me or not. Just sayin, expensive heads are a waste. 5.3 heads and a FAST and call it a day, you will not be left unsatisfied, TRUST ME.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Valid arguments from many sides; however I hope that whoever reads this doesn't think that ANY CNCd 5.3L castings are going to perform as mentioned. Not all port jobs are created equal and some people understand that most of the power is not made by just hogging out the runners.
Who does the work is very very important.
Who does the work is very very important.
The aftermarket castings are typically pretty nice, but I'd say 75% of the time they're overkill. A 460-480whp LS1 is well within the capabilities of a ported GM casting and a FAST manifold.
Valid arguments from many sides; however I hope that whoever reads this doesn't think that ANY CNCd 5.3L castings are going to perform as mentioned. Not all port jobs are created equal and some people understand that most of the power is not made by just hogging out the runners.
Who does the work is very very important.
Who does the work is very very important.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Yup. I've already stated the two companies you can rely on that can port a factory casting that can give any aftermarket cathedral port offering a run for its money. Another budget head is Livernois. And three more non-budget offerings that put out whicked power come from Larry Meaux/Futral, Greg Good, and West Coast Cylinder Head.
I think in the LS head shootout the TEA 243 were as good as any of the other castings at around 620 hp if memory serves me. The only thing was the actual curves were not shown so low rpm power was not shown just peak power/torque and avg power/torque. Anyone have any thoughts on drive ability at part throttle when it comes to a TFS 215 vs a 226cc 243? My thinking is that the manifold 102/92/90/ls6 is ultimately deciding that aspect of it... and is not going to show any big differences because of its inherent design limitations in relation to the heads. Any examples with single planes in head vs head situation?
who needs' ported heads for 460rwhp? Jesus if i dropped 2K on a set of heads.. the lowest # i'd like to see is 51x easy... I've got untouched ports on my 317's and made over 450whp.. through a Th400, 5200 8" converter, and a Dana 60 w/ 4.56's... If you can't make that w/ ported castings and a 6 speed.. you need better advice..
who needs' ported heads for 460rwhp? Jesus if i dropped 2K on a set of heads.. the lowest # i'd like to see is 51x easy... I've got untouched ports on my 317's and made over 450whp.. through a Th400, 5200 8" converter, and a Dana 60 w/ 4.56's... If you can't make that w/ ported castings and a 6 speed.. you need better advice..
Just kidding man, I didn't know you had all those other "dyno killer" mods (i.e. 5200 stall, lol). Did you make that power with the converter unlocked? P.S. I am shooting for 495whp this year, so we shall see!
8" Non Lockup.. lol.. Yea i'm actually putting a set of headers on it this year, and going into the heads a lil bit.. see what the new headers, and upgrades do to the ET..
Take your car to the track. If you are putting down 420 u should be mid to low 11s just like you set.My car only puts down 379rwp and I run a 11.70 launching off idle.The way I look at it don't waste money unless you need too.
Hey dumbass, did you not click the link to the thread I posted a few posts up where the AI CNC'd 5.3 heads made more power than the PI heads? It's statements like this that prove you're a complete dumbass who obviously doesn't know how to use the search button. AI or TEA CNC'd 243/799 heads are within 5 to 10 hp of the 215cc TFS heads. Like Jake Fusion said, get the AI or TEA ported heads and a FAST setup and you're going to make significantly more power than if you had bought AFR or TFS heads.
Last edited by blackls1ta00; Feb 23, 2013 at 01:58 PM. Reason: removed info
Im at 470 with the Trak cam prc stage 2.5 5.3 heads and a fast 90/90 thru a 4l60 and 4000 stall, im adding a ported super vic and 4150 tb and roller rockers and gonna pray for 500 on motor
Because blanket satements like that one that was made is totally false and the OP needs to see that stock ported heads do make great power and will get him to his goal, hence the post I copied. By the way, that's some great advice. You've really added some great information to this thread.
