Best heads an cam for stock ls1 engine
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 318
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Best heads an cam for stock ls1 engine I have 98 camaro ss I have long tube headers slp lid an a tune I'm going to do a top end build my question is should I get my stock heads ported or buy ls6 head an get them ported ? I'm on a budget like everyone else an I have a awesome porting guy so I'm wondering what had would get me best gains an also cam it is auto tranny I want a combo that gives great performance but I can't have it too aggressive I drive the car quite a bit but I would also like to get a decent time at the strip for the 2 or 3 times a year I go
What's your budget? What's your end goals? IMO, the MMS220 heads might be the best available for stock bottom end. You'll pay for them, because they're worth it. Cam depends on goals. Fast 102 intake, etc. there's a lot to consider for a max effort ls1.
Ported stock castings will only get you so far.
Ported stock castings will only get you so far.
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If you have a porting guy and he didn't tell you what casting to use I would use the cheapest one possible because he isn't going to be that good. I know that sounds like an ******* thing to say but if he were experienced in this platform he would have told you what casting he wants to deal with.
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Verdad Gallardo Ported ls6 heads can be good if ported properly. They can be ruined also. Lots of guys have good results sending heads to PRC or AI for porting. Man I'm trying to not be a dick, but with no specific budget and very general goals, it's difficult to tell you what to do. Are you prepared to spend 5k or not? Cause you shouldn't just throw heads on and a cam in. Lifters, springs, pushrods, gaskets, etc you're going to be in for some dollars get powerful and street friendly.
Building for a 113 trap speed is way different from a 135 trap speed. So what's decent? See what I mean?
Building for a 113 trap speed is way different from a 135 trap speed. So what's decent? See what I mean?
I literally just started a project similar to yours. Here is my recommendation: Like previous posters stated, have a goal in mind. Whether that is a HP number, a trap speed, a 1/8 or 1/4 mile time. Whatever it is...have a goal. You also need to set a budget because there are a ton of options 
. Then call some of the folks that are very familiar with the platform. I spoke to Tooley, Martin @ Tick Performance, and Texas Speed and went over my goal and mods with them. Listen to what they have to say and ask questions. At the end of the day I decided to go with Martin's recommendations and made my purchase. Based on my goals and and budget I went with the TF 220 as cast and 235/243 .630/.610 11+2. Is it everything I wanted....no, but I had a budget to work with and that is what I could afford and that put me within reach of my goal.
Also, if you are doing a new oil pump, timing set, etc, that stuff adds up quick. You have to also budget in new gaskets and fasteners. It adds up....
Good luck and let us know what you decided to go with.
. Then call some of the folks that are very familiar with the platform. I spoke to Tooley, Martin @ Tick Performance, and Texas Speed and went over my goal and mods with them. Listen to what they have to say and ask questions. At the end of the day I decided to go with Martin's recommendations and made my purchase. Based on my goals and and budget I went with the TF 220 as cast and 235/243 .630/.610 11+2. Is it everything I wanted....no, but I had a budget to work with and that is what I could afford and that put me within reach of my goal. Also, if you are doing a new oil pump, timing set, etc, that stuff adds up quick. You have to also budget in new gaskets and fasteners. It adds up....
Good luck and let us know what you decided to go with.
The 853 also has a 66.7 cc combustion chamber as opposed to 64cc for the LS6/243 head. You're a newer guy to this, so it's ok you don't know and you're asking questions. Somebody claiming to be an expert at this stuff and doesn't even know the castings is a problem. You will end up building the motor twice. That won't save you any money at all.
Best heads an cam for stock ls1 engine I've seen some posts with guys turning out good numbers with those heads but to be honest it's hard to say. Things like "good performance" and "affordable price" are so subjective. What I found out when I was shopping heads and cams was that by the time I sourced heads (with springs, lifters, retainers, valves, etc) and paid to have them worked over I was not that far removed from purchasing a brand new set of aftermarket castings so that's the way I chose to go based on my specific goals and budget. The castings also gave me a bit of room to grow if I wanted to have them P&P'ed down the road if my goals changed or if I started a new build. Not really sure if that helps but that's my .02. Best of luck.
find a new porter. 853 heads were on the 99-00 LS1. It's the worst head beside the 806. The 243 head came with the LS6. If he is calling an 853 an LS6 head, God only knows what else he will get wrong.
The 853 also has a 66.7 cc combustion chamber as opposed to 64cc for the LS6/243 head. You're a newer guy to this, so it's ok you don't know and you're asking questions. Somebody claiming to be an expert at this stuff and doesn't even know the castings is a problem. You will end up building the motor twice. That won't save you any money at all.
The 853 also has a 66.7 cc combustion chamber as opposed to 64cc for the LS6/243 head. You're a newer guy to this, so it's ok you don't know and you're asking questions. Somebody claiming to be an expert at this stuff and doesn't even know the castings is a problem. You will end up building the motor twice. That won't save you any money at all.
TECH Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
You could do a setup like this guy. https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html
Nice driver and put down some nice track and dyno #'s. You could port some 243 heads and do a little better. He has a crate LS6 and EPS 222/226 115 cam. The Ls6 difference from yours is the heads.
Nice driver and put down some nice track and dyno #'s. You could port some 243 heads and do a little better. He has a crate LS6 and EPS 222/226 115 cam. The Ls6 difference from yours is the heads.
You could do a setup like this guy. https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html
Nice driver and put down some nice track and dyno #'s. You could port some 243 heads and do a little better. He has a crate LS6 and EPS 222/226 115 cam. The Ls6 difference from yours is the heads.
Nice driver and put down some nice track and dyno #'s. You could port some 243 heads and do a little better. He has a crate LS6 and EPS 222/226 115 cam. The Ls6 difference from yours is the heads.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, AL
Since you are looking for best bang for the buck I would recommend 243/799 cast heads. They are the same from what I have seen reading up on them.
Call AI, PRC, Texas Speed, etc. and get them to do the port work. Also, some give options of pairing a cam with the heads. Don't go spend money on the biggest cam you can find and then try and match the heads to the cam, it won't work. Spend the money on the head set up and match the cam to it.
You also wanted something streetable, well that really comes down to tuning. A good tuner can make almost any set up drive well, within limits of course.
Another thing, I didn't see whether you stated if you were A4 or M6. With a H/C you are going to want a good stall, assuming you are A4.
Call AI, PRC, Texas Speed, etc. and get them to do the port work. Also, some give options of pairing a cam with the heads. Don't go spend money on the biggest cam you can find and then try and match the heads to the cam, it won't work. Spend the money on the head set up and match the cam to it.
You also wanted something streetable, well that really comes down to tuning. A good tuner can make almost any set up drive well, within limits of course.
Another thing, I didn't see whether you stated if you were A4 or M6. With a H/C you are going to want a good stall, assuming you are A4.