We have a set of 243s with PRC 0.650" springs that I'm thinking of sending to Phil for their full treatment. Going to also go with a Tick SNS Stage III cam. Looking at AI's web site it appears I'll have about $1000 in the heads depending on if they need guides, etc. Is it worth it to look aftermarket (TFS, ...) or is there not that more to gain for the extra money? We have a 2004 bolt-on Corvette that already runs mid-11s NA that we're trying to get in the 10s on the motor and then spray into the 9s.

Thanks.

Scott

 

aftermarket heads either need more money spent on roller rockers or to themselves be converted to PM guides, the roller rockers compromise valvetrain stability.

There are those who will tell you aftermarket is magical and how you get a thicker deck and blah blah blah. Reality is fully ported they might make 10hp more IF you get them ported $$$$$$$ by someone really good and the thicker deck is pointless when there are guys running twice the HP you are hoping for on stock longblocks with turbos.

 

Agreed. If you've already got the heads, let Phil work his magic on them. I'm unsure if they offer any hand blending, but that may give you an extra "leg up" on the competition as well.

 

Do not discount TEA and their Stage 2 243 program. Honestly, I have seen better results from the TEA Stage 2 over the long haul than I have from the AI 243's.

We used to use AI a lot, but not so much anymore. I have found a few cylinder head guys in the past year that have really done wonders for our engine programs.

 

Chris Frank @ Frankenstein did a set of very custom TF 235's for me last year. The results were very impressive over a pair of supposedly whiz bang killer heads, A-A comparison.

Chat him up, I believe he has a 243 configuration & or other options.

BTW he will chat!

 

I have a friend who bought best 243 CNC casting he learned of, here's what happened the first set cracked between valves, the stand up porting vendor gave him another set, that too cracked across between valves, and he wasn't using nitrous, all N-A .

Now lesson learned he bought a set of racing worthy heads, hope this helps someone make sound decision.

I know there's always exceptions however with nitrous in the mix I say is best to do it rite first time be done with it.

 

Only heads I've ever seen do that are AFR heads. Every used set for sale on here is like that.

 

Thanks Martin! I visited their web site and that it a nice looking package. I'm new to the LS1 so if you say that would be a better option then it's the direction I'll go.

I sent you an email earlier today about ordering a cam and any necessary supporting equipment.

Thanks again.

Scott

 

Good man. He'll definitely get you going in the right direction... Quickly, I might add.

 

I wouldn't discount an aftermarket head so quickly when you add everything up for what you are actually getting. Let's say you bought the heads for 350 or can sell them for 400 or so. Your going to pay at least 50$ to ship them each way now your up to 450$ add the 1000$ CNC job you have 1450 into a stock casting that is limited on what can be done on the short turn. Stock valves that will be lucky to be serviced more than 1 time after the valve job is cut due to the small margin left on the valve. You have 1450 assuming you use a vendor that does this for 1000. If you use TEA's program you have 1800+ into a stock casting when you can have an aftermarket head like the PRC as cast that can accept stock roller rockers and comes with larger valves. If you were hand porting your set of 243 heads and had a valve job on them from a machine shop they would be worth using.