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5.3 max compression heads

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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 07:40 AM
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Default 5.3 max compression heads

I don't want to weld up my current heads, so I'm ready to drop some money for some nice heads. What's the smallest chamber/highest flowing heads that will bolt up to a 5.3? Would also like them to be cnc ported, how about a 58cc tsp prc heads? How about mms?

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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by moekluse
I don't want to weld up my current heads, so I'm ready to drop some money for some nice heads. What's the smallest chamber/highest flowing heads that will bout up to a 5.3? Would also like them to be cnc ported, how about a 58cc tsp prc heads? How about mms?
You can probably do any ported 5.3L head and mill the hell out of them. Depending on how much, you may need to mill the intake faces to fix the port alignment to the manifold.
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by KCS
You can probably do any ported 5.3L head and mill the hell out of them. Depending on how much, you may need to mill the intake faces to fix the port alignment to the manifold.
I'd rather just go ahead and buy some nice heads, and not worry about machining and turn around time. (My machine shop guy does awesome work but is super super busy)
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 08:54 AM
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This has come up 3 or 4 times in the last few weeks. Most places that will port factory castings will also fill the chambers and machine them to smaller size for $200/head. You can get ~52cc chambers out of a 5.3 pretty easily and not have to mill them at all.
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
This has come up 3 or 4 times in the last few weeks. Most places that will port factory castings will also fill the chambers and machine them to smaller size for $200/head. You can get ~52cc chambers out of a 5.3 pretty easily and not have to mill them at all.
well, I have 317, so I'd have to pickup 5.3 heads and machine, I'd rather just get new ones. What do you guys recommend?
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 09:09 AM
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I'd recommend finding a vendor that will fill chambers and ordering heads from them lol.
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 09:43 AM
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No one would go out and buy some nice, brand new heads? I'd honestly rather go that route. I don't really have a low budget so I'm willing to fork out $$ for the best
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 10:21 AM
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I'm pretty anti-aftermarket when it comes to buying head castings (in most situations), so I can't really recommend the best head. Paying a premium for flow numbers when you're only feeding 5.3L is pretty unnecessary. CNC ported stock castings can flow 300 CFM which is more than enough for most 5.3s.
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 11:14 AM
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I'm really wanting some aftermarket heads, I know I can get away with gm casting heads, but I'd rather have some nice ones
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by moekluse
No one would go out and buy some nice, brand new heads?
Not for a 5.3l...but it's your money.
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by moekluse
I'm really wanting some aftermarket heads, I know I can get away with gm casting heads, but I'd rather have some nice ones
Your engine doesn't care that they are 'nice' ones at all.
Just curious, why did you ditch the turbo project?
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
Your engine doesn't care that they are 'nice' ones at all.
Just curious, why did you ditch the turbo project?
oh, I'm still going turbo, but smaller, only shooting for 700hp max. I took you're advise, I'm trying to bring some compression back. I diched the 1000hp drag car for a 700hp daily driver. It's a 78 transam protouring car. I just wanted to bring it up to 9.5:1 for that low down torque, I got rid of that Howard's cam and will spec one after heads, turbo, etc are planned.
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 05:36 PM
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Best flowing small bore/small valve, aftermarket heads that I know of
MMS 205 5.3s. Give Tony a call or Email. Certainly not the most cost
efficient way to reach your goal but I certainly understand
Stubborn, and resemble that remark. Check out my build for proof
LOL.
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Old Feb 14, 2017 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by NAVYBLUE210
Best flowing small bore/small valve, aftermarket heads that I know of
MMS 205 5.3s. Give Tony a call or Email. Certainly not the most cost
efficient way to reach your goal but I certainly understand
Stubborn, and resemble that remark. Check out my build for proof
LOL.
Just wondering but how much can you mill/weld chambers on a 317? What's the smallest I can get the chambers?
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Old Feb 15, 2017 | 04:37 AM
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Trick Flow actually makes a head just for the 5.3. I believe they come at 58cc.
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Old Feb 15, 2017 | 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by moekluse
Just wondering but how much can you mill/weld chambers on a 317? What's the smallest I can get the chambers?
Why not swap for 243 or 799 heads?
A few % more flow than the 317s and a much smaller chamber.
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Old Feb 15, 2017 | 06:45 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeNova
Why not swap for 243 or 799 heads?
A few % more flow than the 317s and a much smaller chamber.
is there a place I can get them from new or remanufactured? None for sale in my area
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Old Feb 15, 2017 | 07:11 AM
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Powell Automotive sells updated 243 castings.
They flow 10% more than the OEM versions.

Otherwise, check craigslist or the classifieds. They're all over the facebook LSX groups.
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Old Feb 15, 2017 | 07:12 AM
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A big part of compression with the 5.3 is what piston you have. Are you using a dished or flattop piston?

Since you don't mind buying an aftermarket head, look at the PRC ported 5.3 heads that Texas Speed offers. They'll have the smaller 61cc chambers. Those heads, combined with a flattop piston and a GM head gasket, should bring you to around 10.5:1. Going to a .040" head gasket and/or having the heads milled will bring you closer to 11:1, but I would advise measuring beforehand to ensure how much further you can go.
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Old Feb 15, 2017 | 07:34 AM
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Originally Posted by MuhThugga
A big part of compression with the 5.3 is what piston you have. Are you using a dished or flattop piston?

Since you don't mind buying an aftermarket head, look at the PRC ported 5.3 heads that Texas Speed offers. They'll have the smaller 61cc chambers. Those heads, combined with a flattop piston and a GM head gasket, should bring you to around 10.5:1. Going to a .040" head gasket and/or having the heads milled will bring you closer to 11:1, but I would advise measuring beforehand to ensure how much further you can go.
I have a dished wiseco -10cc piston. I know that doesn't help me bring compression up but it'll bring it up to 9.3:1 which should get the job done
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