I've been looking at Texas speed ported 5.3 heads and the trickflow 215 heads. Flow numbers are pretty close between the two. Are the trickflow heads really $1k better? Would I be better off with the 5.3 heads and use the extra grand for a fast 102 intake or trickflow and keep my LS6 intake?

 

What do you use your car for? You might get a little more velocity thru the TrickFlow heads, but is it worth $1k more? Run the TSP 5.3 heads and look for a used FAST 102, using the LS6 manifold until you find one. You will save bux both ways.....

 

My car,64 nova, is a driver...resto mod/pro touring. I do plan on some track time but definitely not a dragcar only.

 

Don't get caught up in flow numbers. The trickflow heads has some advantages that you arevnoy looking such as a thicker casting and a 13.5 valve angle. Trickflow for the win!!

 

I run the Texas Speed 5.3 heads and for the money I love them.

 

Yeah, if budget IS a concern, the TSP heads are a VERY good deal.

 

As Tuskyz28 mentioned, the Trickflows do have some design advantages and will/should make a little more power than the TSP 5.3 heads. But if budget is a concern; TSP 5.3 heads & FAST 102 combo is a better option than Trickflow 215 heads & LS6 intake.

 

I vaguely remember reading an article comparing the PRC 5.3 heads to some TFS 220's. On the same vehicle with no changes (and same dyno) the TFS heads made like 17 hp more at peak. So for the extra grand or so, only you can decide if it's worth it.

Also, like mentioned above, you could throw on a Fast and it would basically even out

 

17 hp hmmmm.... my buddie has a 402ci motor in his ws6. Once was running CNC LS3 heads by a sponsor on here. The car ran 10.8-10.9s in the quarter. He wanted to go faster so he ditched those Ls3 heads for some out the box TFS 235 heads. Now the car runs 10.4s with a worse 60ft than the LS3 heads. On the dyno the TFS heads only made 20hp/15tq over the LS3 heads. The TFS heads compression is 11.4 vs the LS3 heads was 11.7 compression. My point is you get what you pay for. Nothing beats REAL WORLD results. I'm willing to bet this will be the same case here as well.....

 

What are the other engine details?
CID?
Cam?
Automatic or manual transmission?
Engine control system? Factory or aftermarket?
Tuning resources?


Sometimes 102 set ups can be a royal pain to get tuned so that they drive nice. For a car that isn't a racer but a Pro Tour or driver, I like 90mm set ups based on my direct experience with both. That's not a popular view. I have a 102 Fast LSXRT collecting dust on the shelf because driveability wise it was horrible. One day I may take the LSXRT to Vengeance Racing and get them sort the mess out....maybe

Resto - Mod sometimes "parts status" is an issue. Budget 5.3 heads say low status. I frequently get told I should put a cam in my "stock" LS1 RS Camaro - its a resto-mod with a LS1 383 and TEA LS6 heads and trick LS6 intake. I'm OK with people assuming my car has a stock LS1. Some of my friends don't think that's cool...at all.

A set of Trick Flow heads say "this car is serious". I'd get the best cylinder head and run a marginal intake. Intakes are easy to change later. Getting bargin heads and a nice intake, later changing heads will harder.

If you really care about the car, you will probably kick yourself for getting bargain heads later, in a year or so. The what if will set in....If the car is just a car and doesn't matter much to you slap a set of bargin heads on it.

If you love this car and the engine has a 3.9 bore - Mast Small Bore heads would be my choice. Mast Small Bore are expensive ~$3500 but an LS3 intake with the Radius Rod modified is a bargain ~$550 say about $4000
This will also need LS3 style rockers so it will cost more...

Trickflow $3100 plus Fast 102 $850 say about $4000

TSP 5.3's $2600 plus Fast 102 $850 say about $3500


Just the way I think about this FWIW

 

I totally agree. While these heads may have only made 17 hp more at peak, they probably make a fair bit more in the low and mid range. I'm sure they perform better than a typical 17 hp mod

 

I'll chime in here... my .02 cents:

I went with a similar style 243 ported head when budget was more of an issue at the start of my build.... I deeply regret it. While making decent power and reliability is good... I had a line on a set of new off the shelf AFR's that were about $700 more than my 243's at the time. Flow numbers were close...but now that I've gotten more serious and I'm craving lower ET's I'm reaching a limit on my heads, where as with that set of AFR's I'd probably have some room to grow. I also regret not going larger with my cam.

After that stupid explanation...this is what you need to ask yourself...will this be enough for me next season or the season after... I didn't consider that and now I regret my decision... Like I said I'm making in the 450whp range and running 11.02's- 10.80's, very respectable...but I always want more and I didn't ask myself that before.

I'd spend the money on the Trick Flows if you've got it.

 

^^^^ I love when guys make posts like that and tell the truth.

 

What valve guides are used in each. Bronze guides should have aftermarket rockers with a roller tip or your guide wear will be increased. If the 5.3's have the GM guides and the TFS bronze, you need to factor that into your planning and budget as well. Do it once an do it right with the parts you really want. If you decide to get different parts later the cost and loss on the originals really hurts. Ask me how I know.

 

Well I'm leaning more towards the trickflows. It is an LS1 so small bore heads only. Never heard of the small bore mast heads. I'll have to check into them. Future plans will be 383 bottom end and some type of forced induction. So I take may not be a priority depending on the supercharger type I go with. Looking to be able to make 600-700hp once completed. Thanks for all the input!!

 

If you're eventually going to go to a 383 then the mast ls3 small bores are the way to go IMO.

 

99 Black Bird, just curious about the prices you show here? Trickflow genX 215 heads go for around $2600 assembled with Titanium retainers, and the TSP stg2.5 5.3 heads list for $1600 assembled with Titanium retainers. Curious where or how you're figuring the Trickflows at $3100 and TSP 5.3s at $2600?
Thanks.


OP, if you're pockets are good for spending $3500+ on a set of heads, hammer's Mast opinion above is an excellent choice.

 

I was wondering the same thing i paid $1400 for my PRC 5.3 heads without titanium 2 years ago. The OP should look at the Trickflow as cast 220 heads touched up by Brian Tooley with powder metal guides in the $2100 dollar range.

 

Always buy the best head you can afford. TSP 5.3 is not in the same league as Trickflow. The TSP 5.3 can get you into the 450-470whp range with a max effort cam and fast, where the Trickflows will make that power with a relatively mild cam and drive better.

 

This. The better cylinder head will always make everything else that much better. A guy can only work with what their pockets allow. Starting off with the Trickflow heads and LS6 intake maybe a better way to start, if it's feasible and you wish to get the better FAST intake down the road.