DirtyChevy

iTrader: (3)

Ive been shopping for heads since I started my build over a year ago. I can only go as fast as the cash flows. My question is are there any good/bad/ok aftermarket cathedral port CNCd heads out there for a decent price. Ive found 2 sets on eBay that cast their own. Ive just jumped in on a few engine parts without research and 90% of the time its been a bad decision. Ill add a link to the 2 Ive come across and would like to see if anyone has some feedback on them. Feel free to suggest another head also, Im not sold on anything yet. I know there are way way better heads on the market like AFR, Trick Flo, Etc. they just aren't in the budget right now. In case you missed it up top Im looking for cathedral port LS1 LS2 LS6 type heads. (new or used in good shape)
Thanks for the help

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john stewart

stay away not worth it get a factory head ported for a budget head

98znasty

Run from that china junk. What are the goals/ what parts do you have already? I've got a set of 317 heads I started porting thinking I would go turbo but ended up going with 243 heads instead. I could sell you my 317s and you could send them out to tsp probably best bang for your buck. Or even cheaper if you send out yours.

DirtyChevy

iTrader: (3)

Ive got a NA 408. Fully forged internals, fast 102 intake, NW 102mm tb. Not planning on turbo any time soon. Actually had 799's that I was having ported and the guy mangled them. That was gonna be my next question, 243, 799, or something else. Is TSP pretty reasonable to do them

98znasty

Or just pick up a pair of used heads( your choice) lap the valves and bolt them on if your on that tight of a budget.

98znasty

That's a lot of motor to put junk heads on. At the very least get some 243s and send them out for cnc work. And tsp did a great job on my heads if I ever use those 317s I'm gonna send them to tsp too.

DirtyChevy

iTrader: (3)

Yeah for now my budgets about where TSP's porting service starts so thats probably not the way I can go. I have everything to go with them though so bare heads would work

DirtyChevy

iTrader: (3)

Cool. Y'all really answered my question on the first post but thanks for the extra info.

G Atsma

I wouldn't use an eBay head to anchor a boat. It might start floating...

HappySalesman

iTrader: (3)

Not to beat a dead horse but...

If you're on a budget ported factory heads are the way to go. A set of 243s can be had for 400 and porting would run you like 1300 ish.

However, there is much to be said about the gains with aftermarket heads. If you can save up for a couple of months and buy those, you come away with MUCH better parts. Not only do you have better numbers, but they'll carry much better as well.

DirtyChevy

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I keep hoping something will pop up on marketplace like those AFR's a couple months ago for 1600. its a lot but now I know worth it

Jenson

iTrader: (32)

Hahaha, 245cfm at .600 on a 210cc runner! And only 168cfm on the exhaust lol. As cast 241's are typically in the 230cfm intake and 170cfm exhaust range. 243's are usually upper 250's intake and 175ish exhaust. You'd be better off just buying a set of stock 243's

Floorman279

iTrader: (11)

rofl the first one said gains of 50-60 rwhp....on a 210 runner? i doubt that head would bring more than 25.

98CayenneT/A

You have any local salvage yards near you? You can pick up some 243's for around $100 - $150 per head.
Look up like a 2007 gm vehicle with a 4.8 or 5.3. They had 799/243 heads.

I just did a quick search at a savage yard I go to and they have (5) 799/243 cylinder heads for $130/per.

Run the heads as is and when budget allows/ next race season pull them off to have reworked.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

OP, about how much are you willing to spend here?

DirtyChevy

iTrader: (3)

I found some stock 243’s 5 miles away for $150. Right now I could only spend $700-$800 max. All I need is heads to get up and running so I’m gonna grab a set of those and call it good for 6 months.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like a plan. Then when money permits you can send them to maybe a place like TSP for porting. I believe they charge right around $700

DirtyChevy

iTrader: (3)

Might as well be them, they already have the rest of it

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Obviously those heads are not ideal for a 408, but i understand the whole money thing. If it were me id get them ported when money permits then later on do a basic nitrous kit with a small shot and make way more power than the best head option out there. And it will still be cheaper than a top dollar head lol