Is it worth the extra money to do heads???
Is it worth the extra money to do heads??? So I'm going to put a s60 rear end and cam the car this spring. So it is roughly $2800 extra to do heads. ThSt buying 243 or 799 and having AI port them, fuel pump, injectors, lifters and other odds and ends. The car is mainly just a street snd was wondering if it is worth the extra money. Will the car be that much faster or more fun to drive?
So I'm going to put a s60 rear end and cam the car this spring. So it is roughly $2800 extra to do heads. ThSt buying 243 or 799 and having AI port them, fuel pump, injectors, lifters and other odds and ends. The car is mainly just a street snd was wondering if it is worth the extra money. Will the car be that much faster or more fun to drive?
/sarcasm
That really depends on you and what your budget is. If you can't afford to do heads, then don't do them and just enjoy the car as is. With that said, a great set of cylinder heads is the focal point for any NA/nitrous motor. The cylinder heads should be the centerpiece and what you build around.
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Ohio
You can get CNC heads, injectors, pump, pushrods, lifters, gaskets, bolts for ~1500.
Injectors and pump price shouldn't be included in the cost of heads. If you think you need an S60 rear, injectors and pump should have been upgraded long ago.
Injectors and pump price shouldn't be included in the cost of heads. If you think you need an S60 rear, injectors and pump should have been upgraded long ago.
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Try to find some already ported heads. Hell for the price it costs to buy 243s then send them to get ported you could find some used aftermarket castings in the classifieds here.
If not you could probably find some already ported 243/799 for $1000-1200.
Ported heads are usually worth 40-60rwhp but they also typically improve drivability due to increased compression and port efficiency.
If not you could probably find some already ported 243/799 for $1000-1200.
Ported heads are usually worth 40-60rwhp but they also typically improve drivability due to increased compression and port efficiency.
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Brett Foote
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From: Texas
So I'm going to put a s60 rear end and cam the car this spring. So it is roughly $2800 extra to do heads. ThSt buying 243 or 799 and having AI port them, fuel pump, injectors, lifters and other odds and ends. The car is mainly just a street snd was wondering if it is worth the extra money. Will the car be that much faster or more fun to drive?
Cambo3,
We can take care of you, for much much cheaper. PM sent!
-Russ
It's a 2000 m6 camaro with bolt-ons so it's time to do a rear end and the injectors and pump are good at the power I'm making now but not if I do heads. Do you mind telling what website you go through or shop for $1500 for what I'm looking for?
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Bolt-ons doesn't put you anywhere close to needing an S60.
You kind of jumped the gun on that one.
If you still have a stock cam, your pump and injectors are more than fine. Gains from a cam are going to be more than gains from heads on a stock engine.
Most of the suppliers here can do CNC heads for ~$1000. I plan on picking up Thompson CNC 317s eventually to help with my MAP sensor issue, and I can get them for $900 if I opt out of valve springs. You could come out with similar pricing if you send in your current heads or whatever stock cores you end up with.
LS1 Cylinder head installation kit from Summit is $160. All new gaskets and head bolts.
LS7 lifters new from Summit are $170
We will go ahead and say $150 for pushrods from Summit.
$900+160+170+150 = $1380 for CNC heads, new top end gasket set, head bolts, pushrods, and new lifters.
If you're thinking you need $2800 you need to browse a bit more.
Skip the gasket set and get just the head gaskets and head bolts, skip the pushrods (stock are fine depending on valve springs used), get the lifters from somewhere besides Summit, and you can cut out $150.
You kind of jumped the gun on that one.
If you still have a stock cam, your pump and injectors are more than fine. Gains from a cam are going to be more than gains from heads on a stock engine.
Most of the suppliers here can do CNC heads for ~$1000. I plan on picking up Thompson CNC 317s eventually to help with my MAP sensor issue, and I can get them for $900 if I opt out of valve springs. You could come out with similar pricing if you send in your current heads or whatever stock cores you end up with.
LS1 Cylinder head installation kit from Summit is $160. All new gaskets and head bolts.
LS7 lifters new from Summit are $170
We will go ahead and say $150 for pushrods from Summit.
$900+160+170+150 = $1380 for CNC heads, new top end gasket set, head bolts, pushrods, and new lifters.
If you're thinking you need $2800 you need to browse a bit more.
Skip the gasket set and get just the head gaskets and head bolts, skip the pushrods (stock are fine depending on valve springs used), get the lifters from somewhere besides Summit, and you can cut out $150.
Well I have an awesome factory 10 bolt, what would you put in my car for a rear end?
- $400 buy 243/799 heads (factory's are 241's)
-$1000 to port heads
-$245 racetronix fuel pump
-$295 fast 36 injectors
-$180 arp head bolts
-$80 gm gaskets
-$140 ls7 lifters
Extra if needed
-$50 timing chain
-$150 oil pump
$2540 and thAt leaves a little extra if I missed stuff.
I'm adding in fuel pump and injectors because if I am correct they will not support the new added hp with a cam.
- $400 buy 243/799 heads (factory's are 241's)
-$1000 to port heads
-$245 racetronix fuel pump
-$295 fast 36 injectors
-$180 arp head bolts
-$80 gm gaskets
-$140 ls7 lifters
Extra if needed
-$50 timing chain
-$150 oil pump
$2540 and thAt leaves a little extra if I missed stuff.
I'm adding in fuel pump and injectors because if I am correct they will not support the new added hp with a cam.
First of all, you can buy a lot of the parts you're looking at on the classified section on here. I purchased brand new Accel 44lb/hr injectors off here for less than $100.00 shipped. And for the price you're going to be putting into stock castings, why not buy aftermarket castings. Again, you can find heads in the classified section on here for much cheaper than you're looking to spend. My setup makes 447 rwhp NA, and that's with a stock LS6 intake and TB, and my fuel pump is just fine. I don't foresee you making near that unless you buck up for some really nice cylinder heads. The point being you're not going to need a fuel pump. Hell, you may even be able to use stock injectors, but they will be close to or over 100% duty cycle. Why do you need an oil pump? I'm running the stock oil pump, and I've got better oil pressure than the majority do on here. All you have to do is shim your stock pump. I'm also running my stock lifters. Granted, my car only has 47,000 miles on it, and the lifters were in perfect condition, but you may be able to use your stock lifters. ARP head bolts. Why do you need those? The ebay head bolts will work just as good on your setup. I think there is a lot of room for savings while still being thorough and having a good setup.
For injectors I think you can have your stock ones rebuilt and set to 42# for about $150. Or you can buy some used GTP injectors for about $80 shipped, they work great.
I would say instead of spending $140 on ls7 lifters spend $200 on drop in Morels instead if they are still available. If not Brian Tooley has the delphi ls7s for $100.
Either get a good set of ARPs used or just use stock headbolts IMO. Only benefit to ARP is they are reusable. Doubt you plan on pulling the heads again anytime soon.
I think you can get a ported LS6 oil pump or melling high pressure pump for about $110 shipped if you shop around
I've already stated my opinions on the route of buying full price 243/799s to get ported. Not the best budget route IMO.
I would say instead of spending $140 on ls7 lifters spend $200 on drop in Morels instead if they are still available. If not Brian Tooley has the delphi ls7s for $100.
Either get a good set of ARPs used or just use stock headbolts IMO. Only benefit to ARP is they are reusable. Doubt you plan on pulling the heads again anytime soon.
I think you can get a ported LS6 oil pump or melling high pressure pump for about $110 shipped if you shop around
I've already stated my opinions on the route of buying full price 243/799s to get ported. Not the best budget route IMO.
Well I have an awesome factory 10 bolt, what would you put in my car for a rear end?
- $400 buy 243/799 heads (factory's are 241's)
-$1000 to port heads
-$245 racetronix fuel pump
-$295 fast 36 injectors
-$180 arp head bolts
-$80 gm gaskets
-$140 ls7 lifters
Extra if needed
-$50 timing chain
-$150 oil pump
$2540 and thAt leaves a little extra if I missed stuff.
I'm adding in fuel pump and injectors because if I am correct they will not support the new added hp with a cam.
- $400 buy 243/799 heads (factory's are 241's)
-$1000 to port heads
-$245 racetronix fuel pump
-$295 fast 36 injectors
-$180 arp head bolts
-$80 gm gaskets
-$140 ls7 lifters
Extra if needed
-$50 timing chain
-$150 oil pump
$2540 and thAt leaves a little extra if I missed stuff.
I'm adding in fuel pump and injectors because if I am correct they will not support the new added hp with a cam.
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Well I have an awesome factory 10 bolt, what would you put in my car for a rear end?
- $400 buy 243/799 heads (factory's are 241's)
-$1000 to port heads
-$245 racetronix fuel pump
-$295 fast 36 injectors
-$180 arp head bolts
-$80 gm gaskets
-$140 ls7 lifters
Extra if needed
-$50 timing chain
-$150 oil pump
$2540 and thAt leaves a little extra if I missed stuff.
I'm adding in fuel pump and injectors because if I am correct they will not support the new added hp with a cam.
- $400 buy 243/799 heads (factory's are 241's)
-$1000 to port heads
-$245 racetronix fuel pump
-$295 fast 36 injectors
-$180 arp head bolts
-$80 gm gaskets
-$140 ls7 lifters
Extra if needed
-$50 timing chain
-$150 oil pump
$2540 and thAt leaves a little extra if I missed stuff.
I'm adding in fuel pump and injectors because if I am correct they will not support the new added hp with a cam.
1. If you're going to have them ported, just use your stock heads. No point in spending $400 for cores when the end result isn't that much different. You'd be better off just buying PRC 5.3 heads from Texas Speed for $1300, they come with aftermarket valve springs. That would be cheaper than spending $400 on heads, $1000 on porting, $150+ on valve springs.
2. $245 for a racetronix fuel pump? I guess I've never understood the hotwire kit. Running your own wire is like $20 lol. There are a few places that have the pump and kit for $200.
3. $295 for 36 lb injectors is insane. That's what I paid for my 80 lb injectors. Its starting to look like you prefer to be raped than shop around for something better.
4. ARP head bolts are pointless on an N/A engine. You're wasting your money.
5. Stock replacement LS1 gaskets are like $45, not $80.
6. You're bang-for-the-buck ratio sucks lol.
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 293
Likes: 5
From: Texas
I'm going to disagree with the ten bolt being good even for a stock six speed if you launch with spirit at the track. I think the rear and suspension is where modding g should always start. I am not an S60 fan and would rather have a 9" but to each his own.