I've been reading this site like crazy trying to soak up all the info I can on this matter. While I have learned a lot in this process, there seems to be a lot varying opinions on certain things. The uploaded image is what I'm looking to purchase from Texas Speed. I hear this is a great combo for what i'm looking for. But i do have a few questions I'm hoping to have answered here.

1. TSP recommended the MS4 cam on this build/package. As I did my research on this cam. I'm seeing a lot of people talking about piston to valve clearance being an issue. Is this something I should be worried about with a factory LS1 and these particular heads?

2. Kind of a follow up to #1. Combustion chamber volume. I know this varies my compression ratio but can also determine deck height, thus possibly giving me poor PTV clearance. Recommendations? They do have an option for "match to cam" whatever that means.

3. Pushrod length? 7.4" ok?

4. Looks like I have to supply my own rockers with these heads. Just reuse the factory ones?


I just dont want any issues when I'm done with this build. Before anyone asks. supporting mods will be a Fast 92 intake/TB, long tubes, True duals, and am going to try to get an upgraded rear with 4.10 gears. Car already has a stage 2 Monster Clutch with Tick master.

any help and insight is appreciated...

 

Unless I'm missing it somewhere, I don't see what heads these exactly are. Which ones are they?

 

I'm guessing they start out as 5.3 truck heads that are ported to flow as well as ported 243's. TSP does this all the time, and they work!

 

The MS4 cam is huge, and there is a very likely chance you will run into issues with PTV clearance. The heads on my engine haven't been milled, it has an MS3 cam with a 112 LSA and it is very close. If this car is your daily, I would go with something quite a bit smaller. If you truly have done as much research as you said, you would know that you always need to measure for pushrod length. Those heads you asked about are OEM 5.3 heads that have been ported. They will use the same rockers and stands that are on your LS1. However, with the amount of lift on the intake side of the MS4 cam, I wouldn't recommend the stock rockers.

 

If you buy those 2.5 heads WITH the ms4 they will set the heads up to work with them.

Is your car auto or manual? What intake? what exhaust?

 

That's what I'm assuming. A lot of people seem to be running this cam no problem without flycutting the pistons. I in no way want to delve into the block itself. To answer your question I'm running a T56 and am going to run TSP's headers and true duals. Gonna try to run a fast 92 if funds allow. If not I'll run the LS6 for now.

 

Will you be doing the work yourself ?

If you don't mind cutting valve reliefs it is not bad to do at all. I ended up cutting .030" on the intake and exhaust sides and they turned out way clean. $200 for the Lindy tool and grab a drill.

 

I was trying to see how much you cared about driveability. If DD is a concern, here's how I would go:

TFS220's or mamo 223's for heads
Fast102
228/234-114+2 cam. 650/630 lift
PSI Springs and titanium hardware
ATI balancer
Measure for pushrods length. Never guess
1-7/8 headers
Speed engineering dual exhaust

If DD is not really a concern, then disregard this post.

 

Its a nice weather, in the middle of summer type car. Not really a daily driver, nor a track car either. What I like about TSP's setup is the package deal/price.

 

You will need 373+ gears also.

 

Ok I wasn't sure if they were the LS6 or 5.3 stage 2.5 heads. OP I run the these heads from TSP, and for the money I'm really happy with them. I also run a cam that's almost identical to the MS3 and its a great fit with these heads IMO

 

the ms4 is a max effort cam so its not gonna be as streetable as others, and to make that 450 horsepower your going to have to be willing to spin your motor 6500+ rpms to find it.
for rockers you can keep the stock but definetly do a trunnion upgrade, I would suggest the straub trunnion upgrade.
and while your in there I would go ahead and replace the lifters too. I ran ls1 lifters with a ms3 cam...until a lifter failed, causing a engine rebuild. so get at least some ls7 lifters or spare a few more dollars for the morels
ws6store has a kit where you can buy the morel lifters and straub trunnion upgrade together and save a few bucks if you go that route.

 

This set up will be much more fun to drive, and you will enjoy
Driving it more often. The MS4 cam is very large. Save a little
Longer if you must do it right the first time. The best Heads
You can get will allow a smaller cam and better performance.
Good Luck

 

Yup. Ãœber heads and moderate cam builds are a blast to drive.

 

Maybe I'll reconsider the heads and cam a little bit. I just want a fun street you to be honest. I'd like to reach 450 but it's more important that the car is fun. It's not going to be a track car either.

 

Horsepower is just a number. Seat of the pants and the sensation of smooth tractable power is what counts on the street. Build something that will feel good to drive, without having to make excuses for bad drivability. Have fun!

 

 

Personally I would go with as cast tfs heads. Best bang for the buck I've seen and witnessed to make power, be reliable and hurt feelings.

 

If you are only looking for fun, save yourself time, money & headache and get electric cutouts to run open headers.

If you do up your power don't forget you'll need a new rear end, upgraded transmission, clutch etc. etc...

 

For a street car, I'm not sure I'd go over 228 duration. My neighbor has a 6.0 GTO with a 231 cam and said it was at the edge for drivability.

Last track day, there was a guy with a Mallet Corvette that put out about 500 HP. The previous owner had $32,000 in just the engine. The new owner said he'd like to drive it on the street but the car couldn't hold a decent idle. Bigger isn't always better.