HellaciousA

This is my daily driver, 02 camaro ss, 6 speed. I have a brand new stock replacement 5.7 from Thompson motorsports short block as I ruined the original block by tightening down a head bolt that had a small amount of coolant below it.

I'm running stock manifolds, stock intake and throttle body. I also have a basic bolt ons (lid, catback, etc). I did have a cam spec'd by Patrick G that Ive installed, which is a 227/232 115+4. The original 241s have about 102k on them and the head surface doesn't have any gouges or scratches, but the valves have quite a bit of pitting. I've lapped the valves on one head and they look decent, but I'm guessing at this point it may be worth it to get a valve job done and have the heads milled slightly to make sure they are flat as they would be going on a brand new block.

I've been quoted about 375 to have the machine work done. Would it be worth to just upgrade to a set of 243s? I'm not going for a max effort build, and I know I'll leave power on the table by not doing longtubes (I already have a car that has them, and I don't need to wake up my whole neighborhood when I leave for work at 6am.)

I've attached some photos of what I've done already. Not trying to break the bank, but if I could get some clean 243s (or if someone has a budget friendly head to recommend I'd consider that as well).

pantera_efi

iTrader: (1)

Hi Hella, FIRST I would inspect the Valve Guide Condition.

I would install "Yellow" OR "Blue" Springs (.560" ML) on either head.

The 241/243 choice is better based on the difference in costs, if any.

I would "pocket port" either the 241/243 heads before reassembly.

Lance

wannafbody

iTrader: (2)

Stage 1 243 heads are a nice upgrade

Mavn

iTrader: (3)

Yeah ..lets run .560 springs on an .600+ lift cam

G Atsma

We don't know the lift on the cam......