I'm gonna do a rebuild on my motor and was wondering if its worth it to buy 243 heads and port them or just port the stock 241s? Also where can I get them CNC ported I'm in nor cal

 

Obviously only you can determine if it's worth it not. Depends on budget, goals, etc...

 

A good port job on either set will cost you about $1,000. A set of used 243/799 will cost you $450. So, how much do you want to spend?
I personally cheaped out and ported the 241's. I'm guessing ported 243 would have yielded 15-20hp more. Just my $.02. I'm sure you're fixin to get a load of opinions.

 

I'm with ragtop and used my stock 241 heads. I ported and milled the hell out of them. They now flow great and sitting with 57cc chambers.

 

If it is in your budget yes...more power is always a good thing.

 

Well if you compared TEA Stage 1 cnc program there is not much difference between the two on the intake side , but on the exhaust side there is a 15 - 20 cfm difference. The Stage 1 853/241 cost is $1126 , the stage 1 243 cost $1338. So if you can live with the 15 cfm average of lower flow on the exhaust side ,the 241 appear to be a budget bargain. So if look at 241 being a $212 dollars less and dont have the cost of $400 to purchase 243s . There is at least $600 cost difference between them.

 

Idk. I feel a huge difference in the 243 I swapped. They were ported polished and milled

 

600.00 for 15-20whp is well worth it imo.

 

I have attached a cutaway picture of two heads. 243 on the left and 241 on the right. Dezasterz, I hope the picture helps in your decision.

 

Match the heads to your cam and intake. If the cam peaks at .580 then .600 flow not much use. Then the intake manifold may be the bottle neck.

Some companies flow the intake side with an LS6 manifold or pipe or other intake. Flow Nos. not comparable among vendors if different intakes are used.

 

The 243 heads are definitely an upgrade in my opinion. I would stick them on there and get the ported later if you don't have the money for it right now.

 

SDPC sells cnc ported 243's for $550 each. They outflow stock LS3 heads.

 

I take it these are the heads your talking about.
https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...er/x88958765-2
Those are a pretty good deal for budget heads, you can spend more money on better heads but not every has more money. I'd say you best bang for the buck options would either be the SDPC heads, PRC stage 1 or 2.5 porting service on your 241's, or PRC stage 2.5 5.3 heads.

 

That's them. $500 cheaper than the PRC and same flow. I'd be surprised if SDPC actually has any to sell

 

Having had in my possession both the SDPC and PRC Stg 1 (LS6-style castings) heads it became really obvious where the extra $500 comes into play - the fit and finish, and customer service at TSP was worth the additional funds.

Short of factory replacement parts I wouldn't buy another set of heads or anything risky (of high value/complexity) from SDPC.

 

Elaborate please

 

TSP goes the extra mile on their products (especially packaging, condition of the product before shipping, polite customer service), where SDPC doesn't - and it reflects in the final product. If you are willing to live with discount bin products and poor service due to budgetary constraints you will do fine with SDPC; but, if you want quality you are going to have to pay for it.

I am just providing my insight based on personal experience.

Ironically, the next time I order new GM parts I will do so from Summit (who will price match SDPC) and they will have the parts drop shipped in from SDPC (confirmed with an LS6 valley cover) anyway - but at least Summit's customer service is sound. I doubt I will ever deal directly with SDPC again for so many reasons.

 

You are neglecting to consider the shape of a cam lobe, to get the valve to spend maximum time around .580" lift you would take the valve to .600 where it will stay for a very short time compared to the lifting and falling on the ramps either side.

Kind of like you don't shift gears right at peak hp you rev well past to use the whole top of the power curve.

I am not saying use .650 lift with heads that peak at .580, but I absolutely would consider a .600 lift.

 

just get the 243's and wait and get them ported down the line when you have the money im running the stock 243s on my ws6 n they work just fine

 

If the cam peaks at .580 then that is the lobe peak as well. Tend to look at flow from .200-.550" for a cam peaking at .580".

Do not wish to beat a dead horse. We agree. Either I was unclear in my previous or you inferred differently. No issue here.