LS6 head selection
LS6 head selection So I have a 2003 LS6 with fast 92 intake, fast injectors, tick performance street heat stage 1 cam, LTH.
I had the stock 243 heads rebuilt with new springs and put back on the motor. I'm interested in getting them worked on Total engine airflow , TSP etc,
I'm also looking at PRC 220 as cast. I know my cam is not super aggressive so will picking the option of working the heads over vs buying aftermarket make much of a difference? I dont want to spend $700 more and end up with 5hp etc. I would also being using a new set of 243 heads and not the ones on the car due to the fact that a shop is doing the work and wont get to it anytime soon. HELP HELP HELP
I had the stock 243 heads rebuilt with new springs and put back on the motor. I'm interested in getting them worked on Total engine airflow , TSP etc,
I'm also looking at PRC 220 as cast. I know my cam is not super aggressive so will picking the option of working the heads over vs buying aftermarket make much of a difference? I dont want to spend $700 more and end up with 5hp etc. I would also being using a new set of 243 heads and not the ones on the car due to the fact that a shop is doing the work and wont get to it anytime soon. HELP HELP HELP
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Elmer, New Jersey
Be careful on head selection, you need to keep the runners small for airspeed and good bowl work . you can get a good valve job as well as possibly back cutting the valves. I wouldn't chase peak numbers but concentrate on low lift numbers.
Tea 243's are proven performers. If your heads are true ls6 heads with the lightweight valves then I would have those heads ported. Unless you go with their stage 2 program. I believe they use bigger valves
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 239
From: Dade City, Fl.
Either TEA stage1 or Advanced Induction 243's have better #'s than the TFS 220's as cast through out the flow chart. There is some information out there stating that you must run aftermarket rockers with the TFS 220's because the stock rockers scrub and wear the bronze guides. That would be an added cost to the upgrade. Not counting the possible need for the rocker change, I think the TEA and AI heads are $300-$400 less.
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I'm definitely a hardcore TEA ported LS6 fan. They are well proven, make excellent power keep the velocity high. Talk with TEA they many different LS6 programs and can definitely provide an appropriate match for your set up.
Have a set of TEA LS6 Stage 2.5's that Brian hand finished on my 91 RS - very happy with and no issues. Ran TEA S2 5.3 heads for 15 years & 130,000 + miles. Replaced springs & valve seals once and springs only once. May reuse the heads on another car. TEA's attention to detail and quality are excellent.
Have a set of TEA LS6 Stage 2.5's that Brian hand finished on my 91 RS - very happy with and no issues. Ran TEA S2 5.3 heads for 15 years & 130,000 + miles. Replaced springs & valve seals once and springs only once. May reuse the heads on another car. TEA's attention to detail and quality are excellent.
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TECH Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
Either TEA stage1 or Advanced Induction 243's have better #'s than the TFS 220's as cast through out the flow chart. There is some information out there stating that you must run aftermarket rockers with the TFS 220's because the stock rockers scrub and wear the bronze guides. That would be an added cost to the upgrade. Not counting the possible need for the rocker change, I think the TEA and AI heads are $300-$400 less.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville, Al
Just wondering, but why did you go with cut down LS3 Valves, instead of the reg Ferrea valves that come with the TEA Stage 2 work?
Lots of great info and options in this thread and very hard to beat a ported 243, especially from TEA. Our best offering for another option is the TEA worked Trickflow 220cc As Cast which I listed a link for below. This is an aftermarket casting but not a huge price point like other CNC heads, and include a lot of great benefits to make power with your current cam or a bigger setup down the road. Ours are priced as a pair and loaded with PAC springs, titanium retainers, etc. and available in different combustion chamber sizings if you want to bump compression since you'll have plenty of PTV clearance with your smaller cam.
https://vengeanceracing.net/1997-200...der-heads.html
- David @ Vengeance
https://vengeanceracing.net/1997-200...der-heads.html
- David @ Vengeance
Either TEA stage1 or Advanced Induction 243's have better #'s than the TFS 220's as cast through out the flow chart. There is some information out there stating that you must run aftermarket rockers with the TFS 220's because the stock rockers scrub and wear the bronze guides. That would be an added cost to the upgrade. Not counting the possible need for the rocker change, I think the TEA and AI heads are $300-$400 less.
FWIW - I've seen TEA S2.5 heads that Tooley hand finished make 5-10 whp more on the same dyno as several of the big name aftermarket heads with bigger cams and better intake manifolds etc. Ideally, get TEA to port the Trick Flow heads and have Tooley touch them up. Best of both worlds 